prompt: How should a building with metal structure look like?
I’m a firm believer that architecture should not always be constrained by firm rules other than the ones that safeguard people’s well being. This is because Architecture is art as much as it is a trade or profession. Art can exist for art’s sake. It should be allowed the freedom to incorporate choices simply because they are novel and interesting. This liberty is fundamental to experimentation and without it, art and life would feel much more static. At least that’s my ideological opinion, which is by no means the entirety of my feelings on the topic.
With regard to personal taste and sensibilities, I can not stress enough how essential it is for these liberties to be entertained only after deep and informed discussion with the design team, users, and clients. Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it. As much as architecture is art and expression, it ought to be fundamentally a selfless practice, one intended to enrich the lives of others in a myriad of complex ways. If designers’, developers’, and clients’ fixate on a only a few functions and services of their designs while over looking the rest, they
will almost certainly fail their responsibilities to the users, creating spaces that are disjointed and conceptually hollow. While I do think elements of a design deserve flexible consideration that goes beyond conventional form and function, these unconventional choices should be made in support of communicating a clear idea and/or intention. All forms of human creation benefits from shedding their unnecessary parts and features. Perhaps benefit can be an improved and more intuitive conceptual legibility, but it can also m
ake the production process easier and less resource intensive, and improve the over longevity of the work produced. The possible benefits from removing unnecessary features are truly vast. And therefore the most successful designs are ones that are comprised of only the elements that enhance one another. This does not mean that designs are not aloud to push boundaries and experiment, but they should only do so with clear intentions that are informed by thorough understanding their consequences. Ultimately Architecture should be allowed to be playful while maintaining a respect for our obligation to the society and people that trust designers to create for the greater good and not selfish harmful reasons. What should a metal building look like? It should look like building with integrity of ideals, one that was created to be of service to present and future human life and culture. It would be arrogant to claim to have a final and finite set of criteria for correct building forms. If it is of service than that should be all that matters.
Your perspective on architecture as both art and a practice rooted in safeguarding well-being is thought-provoking and resonates deeply with the complexities of design. I agree that the freedom to experiment and incorporate novel and interesting choices is essential for fostering creativity and preventing stagnation in the field. However, your emphasis on the importance of deep and informed discussions with all stakeholders highlights the necessity of balancing artistic expression with practical considerations and user needs. Design should indeed be a selfless practice, aimed at enriching the lives of others in meaningful ways. Your insights into the benefits of shedding unnecessary features and elements in design underscore the importance of clarity and intentionality in architectural expression. Ultimately, I appreciate your call for architecture to be playful yet respectful of its societal obligations, serving present and future generations with integrity and purpose.
During the Industrial Revolution, there was a shift in architectural thinking and practice, moving away from traditional styles towards more innovative and experimental approaches. Architects began to explore new materials, construction techniques, and design philosophies, embracing a newfound freedom of expression facilitated by technological advancements. Just as your post advocates for a balance between adherence to rules and the freedom to experiment, architects during the Industrial Revolution grappled with similar challenges. They sought to push the boundaries of architectural design while still respecting established norms and conventions, resulting in a dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation. The call for architecture to serve the greater good and contribute to the betterment of society reflects the social consciousness that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. Architects and designers recognized their role in shaping the built environment and sought to create spaces that enhanced the quality of life for all members of society, not just the privileged few.
In summary, while your post may not explicitly mention the Industrial Revolution, its themes of artistic freedom, balancing tradition and innovation, human-centered design, technological advancement, and social responsibility are all concepts that can be related to the transformative period of history known as the Industrial Revolution and its lasting impact on architecture.