In the scientific world, the word paradigm is used to describe common understanding. For example, Newton’s dynamic understanding of the physical world, is a commonly accepted model on which commonly held understandings of how the world works are based. This Newtonian understanding, to continue with this example, is considered a paradigm. Another word for a […]
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28Oct
2015
PROSPECT THEORY
2015
This discussion of the psychological mechanics of client decision making might be considered a tangential to the topic at hand. Yet I continue to be fascinated by the psychological definitions that apply to the client and designer interaction. I find it fascinating to now have terms to apply to those on planning boards, for example, […]
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27Oct
2015
THE MINDSET OF CONSERVATIVE CLIENTS
2015
Humans have an innate tendency to avoid losses rather than to achieve gains. We are hardwired for this. All of our design discussion with our clients is, fundamentally, one of losses and gains. Let’s consider the conservative client, who for the purposes of this discussion requires a gable roof solution. Because of this propensity, they […]
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26Oct
2015
AUTOMATIC VISUAL PROCESSING
2015
What exactly is our state of mind when we are drawing to solve problems? Much of what goes on between our ears is automatic. The common act of seeing is automatic. We are continually and automatically processing a three dimensional representation of what we see before us. We are continually computing the location of objects, […]
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22Oct
2015
EL LISSITZKY
2015
The Russian constructivists have been a cultural influence upon use here in the West. Many of the current famous architects developed their first architectural responses in the guise of constructivism. I am thinking of Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhas. As with all architecture movements, the constructivists were concerned with purity, appropriate cultural responses, and the […]
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21Oct
2015
PRECEDENTS IN ARCHITECTURE
2015
Some of the books that we have mentioned in these pages are by Ching, Lauseau, Jenkins, et. al. And they are great books. Elegant books. Theoretical books. Classic books. Yet all this theoretical power can blind us to the concepts that lay behind it. It is almost as if we stare at the pages, rather […]
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19Oct
2015
APRES TRAVEL
2015
The trips that we take are often way too short. I always find that however long we travel, the time could have at least been doubled. One great way to extend your trip is to draw from your photos after you get back. Now that we are back from our trip to Spain, I am […]
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16Oct
2015
GUGGENHEIM BILBAO
2015
It extends under an ordinary car bridge. The Museum. Gehry’s Guggenheim. It extends under a four lane, mediocre vehicle bridge that spans the river. The bridge runs over the museum. We were just in Bilbao, which is a fantastic city. And of course we made the pilgrimage to Guggenheim Bilbao. At first all we could […]
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15Oct
2015
SUBURBAN GROUND EFFECTS
2015
We are traveling this week. So I offer these brief posts on various topics that I have prepared ahead of time. Although this may not exactly be the most burning design question, what would happen if you incorporated Formula 1 racecar ground effects onto suburban houses? Why would you want to, first of all? Well, […]
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13Oct
2015
REVAN KIOSK AT TOPKAPI
2015
Per our travels this week, I thought it would be fun to post a few travel related sketches this week. During our travels to Turkey, we of course went to the Revan Kiosk at the Topkapi Palace. I made this sketch in Instabul the next morning from […]
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