The business of architecture
This is the 11th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 11. Sweat the small stuff In the architecture studio I run with my wife, we believe that design doesn't stop until the builder hands over the keys. I... Continue Reading →
This is the 10th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 10. Design does not happen in a bubble As you design, it's tempting to wrap yourself in a protective bubble, to block off all the information... Continue Reading →
This is the 9th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 9. The teacup principle Today is not the first time I've written about this principle here. I first discussed it four years ago, within an article inspired... Continue Reading →
This is the 8th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 8. The KISS principle As my father likes to say, Keep It Simple Stupid Complexity can be attractive. It's easy to keep layering a project,... Continue Reading →
This is the 7th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 7. Ideas must be legible If a tree falls in a forest and no-one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? This is... Continue Reading →
This is the 6th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 6. The triangle offensive At the Australian Institute of Architects national conference this year, keynote speaker Gregg Pasquarelli suggested a powerful test of any idea: A good... Continue Reading →
This is the 5th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 5. Develop a tree of ideas I have to confess that I've forgotten many of the discussions I had with design tutors during my years of... Continue Reading →
This is the 4th of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 4. Jaws in space It is rumoured that big Hollywood film studios have the attention spans of goldfish. When pitching a film therefore, a director is required to... Continue Reading →
This is the 3rd of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 3. Site analysis uses the language of your ideas You site down with a site plan spread out in front of you. You draw in... Continue Reading →
This is the 2nd of twenty-one lessons for design students, gathered from the combined experience of being a student, and teaching students. I will published one lesson each weekday until they're done. 2. Good research is essential At the beginning of your project, you are eager to begin designing. Some of you might sketch in the obligatory solar paths and... Continue Reading →