In this final blog post, write a reflection paper on your design process and manifesto's. What are you themes in Design? What are you interested in pursuing further? What are the patterns and interests that you can situate to discussions and readings covered in this course.
My design process typically centers around function. I would like to compare the process to some of Alvar Altos ideas. I believe the way Alto let function order the form is very interesting and respectable. I have never been an advocate for conceptual design. Typically when I hear someone present, and they start out with some big long metaphor stuffed with meaningless architecture jargon about how they designed something based on a leaf blowing in the wind, it just makes me loose interest. In my opinion, the quality of a design should not rest on concept. I enjoy simplistic architecture like that of Mies van der Rohe and Lake Flato. I appreciate their use of materials and emphasis on views.
Typically, when I design I start from the inside out, ensuring that my plans work. Not that curb appeal is not important; however, when know one wants to be inside a building, doesn't that defeat the purpose? Having said that, I would like to push myself to reverse this process, and still produce well organized spaces. I am intrigued by the work of the post modernists and architects like Zaha Hadid and Daniel Leibskin, whose work seems more sculptural. These structures seem to put more emphasis on an "experience".
Another topic that interests me is the combination of new and old architecture. I believe as the world grows, this becomes increasingly more important. More jobs are created by renovations, and the question becomes do you keep the old or demolish it and create something new? In this aspect I definitely disagree with Le Corbusier, and his theories about starting over with new architecture of the time. I respect historic preservation, and find the combination of new and old exciting.
Out of the three architects in the beginning, Viollet le Duc, Ruskin, and Semper, I relate the most to Semper. I agree with his theories on using art and culture to influence design. I find it interesting how every architects style can be related to the theories of these three.
