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Architects are constantly defying gravity. We built into and with the sky, and the way in which we engage it says a lot about our work. Building upward involves more than just getting your occupants to look up.
The following is a 10 image slideshow presented with hopes to inspire you to think about the sky creatively. These captured moments, ranging in complexity, illustrate just how delicate the balance is between our built forms and the sky which surrounds us.
Here are ten ways to built into and with the sky, to defy gravity and to help you design architecture that is more balanced, harmonious and awe-inspiring.
How To Build Into the Sky…
- Frame it, to capture your own horizons.
- Travel into it, provide activity from high above.
- Listen to it, through a funnel of flutes.
- Capture the sky and bring it to ground-level.
- Move downward, changing your “ground”. Peek up at it.
- Transition into the sky while writing in it.
- Lead the eye upward along a path.
- Move through it, like the wings of a bird.
- Build into it. Filter in all of its light.
- Remove boundaries. Blur the sky with your built form.
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Image: wauter de tuinkabouter | Flickr
Great architecture exists as a rich conversation between critical parts. I know that is fairly basic — but when you start to consider all of the parts that go into a building it sometimes can become muddled as to which parts are most important and some may be forgotten all together.
Rich Balance for the Visually Impaired Occupant
I recently came across a great model by which to think about architectural design balance. Yes, balance is more that just a visual experience. So, to take this a step further lets explore what it would be like to achieve great architectural balance to best accommodate the visually impaired occupant.
By considering how to design for an occupant that puts less emphasis on the visual sense — it becomes clearer just how important balance is for good architectural design. In this example, there are three main parts that need to be in meaningful dialogue and, thus, balanced: they are aesthetic, function and economy. Now, by removing the visual aspect to our hypothetical design project, you as an architect, may begin to think of each in new ways: (1)
It is interesting that aesthetics for a visually impaired occupant may mean that you Read more


















