Learn How to Orchestrate Your Architectural Elements

Image: MarcelGermain | Flickr
Yes, I often write that you should think about the senses, materiality and so on. But I would like to emphasize that as an architect you are a “director” of sorts. It is important to learn how to synchronize and orchestrate all of those architectural elements to create the experience you intend.
As an architect, once you get a good grasp on how the human senses really work and really develop a high design skillset, you should always be concerned with synergy and orchestration.
Here is what I mean…
Lighting + Material = Redefined Form
The equation I just made up above is an example of how powerful (and simple) this idea can be. Take a building like the Torre Agbar in Barcelona (image shown above) and you will get a notion of what I am talking about.
Using technologies to enhance, minimize or morph your architectural elements can be a very effective technique. Most architects today simply “add-on” new technologies to their design. Kind of like the architect said “I’ll include this because I can.” The result is that it is not well integrated and does not do much for the design. In some cases, it actually makes the design worst.
SOME DESIGN TIPS
Take the simple equation that I wrote above and get this to challenge and push the way you think when you are designing a building. Ask yourself about what other technologies you could insert into the “lighting” variable shown above. Also, question what other architectural element types you could insert into the “material” variable shown above.
Although the “Redefined Form” variable in the equation above may not physically move or morph, your technologies often can. Think of ways to integrate new technologies into your architectural design to help bend, enhance, texturize, highlight or soften architectural elements.
Think about how doing this will make the building a better experience.
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK
I would really like to get your feedback on my post today, so please leave me a comment in the form below. And if you enjoyed it, make sure you share it with your Twitter followers by “tweeting” it using the re-tweet button on this page.
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Interesting article we’re working on fully kinetic architectural environments. Structures that become living with sensors and actually adapt and evolve to the activity within and around them. Be great to hear from people who are interested in this area!
@Evan,
There are some great projects shown on your site. I particularly like your Pi Installation-Glastonbury Festival — you are tapping into multiple senses simultaneously and it is a good example of an orchestration of design elements that encourage occupant behavioral movements, collaboration and enjoyment.