Architecture is?
An Architecture Mantra
CONSTRUCT
architecture is real; stone, wood and metal anchored in the complexity of geology, economics, psychology, human need and desire.
architecture is fake, a facade, an artifice, a foil; masking/revealing our ephemera—ideas,
ideals, passions, conceits, shadows.
architecture is Achtung Baby; syncopated, intentional, improvised, melodic, cacophonous, inspired, insipid, textural, electric, acoustic.
architecture is a cantilever; alchemy and science.
architecture is a space, geometry, cobbled together with systematic attention.
architecture is a blur until the user brings it into focus by seeing, using and moving.
architecture is appearance, a choice, a fashion, in which we wrap our activity.
architecture is a frame and a framework for viewing the world and being viewed.
architecture is sensual, titillating; don’t feel guilty. architecture does not include batteries; it requires people.
architecture is a conceit, sometime arrogant, sometimes not.
architecture is a constant. It happens anywhere, at any time and for anyone.
PROCESS
architecture is a process and a moment, a fixed spatial container simultaneously marking and conceding the inevitable passage of time.
architecture is an obsession, an idea released unwillingly to the world to find a form and function quite apart from intention.
architecture is conflict awaiting resolution; the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive, nothings into something.
architecture is collaboration, not single entities or visions.
architecture is more complex and more rewarding the longer it is ‘practiced’, it takes time and gives time. architecture is a soothsayer, triggering memory of the past, revealing the present, portending the future. architecture is making (ideas into) mistakes, repeating them, making fewer mistakes.
architecture is a field; plow, sow, tend, harvest, lie fallow, sow, plow, tend, harvest.
architecture is knowing when to intervene and when to stand back.
architecture is a cup of black coffee; two cups of coffee. Okay, maybe three.
architecture stands on the shoulders of giants, leap once you get a good look.
architecture is clinging logic, wild intuition, inherent responsibility and dumb luck.
John Umbanhowar
CONSTRUCT
architecture is real; stone, wood and metal anchored in the complexity of geology, economics, psychology, human need and desire.
architecture is fake, a facade, an artifice, a foil; masking/revealing our ephemera—ideas,
ideals, passions, conceits, shadows.
architecture is Achtung Baby; syncopated, intentional, improvised, melodic, cacophonous, inspired, insipid, textural, electric, acoustic.
architecture is a cantilever; alchemy and science.
architecture is a space, geometry, cobbled together with systematic attention.
architecture is a blur until the user brings it into focus by seeing, using and moving.
architecture is appearance, a choice, a fashion, in which we wrap our activity.
architecture is a frame and a framework for viewing the world and being viewed.
architecture is sensual, titillating; don’t feel guilty. architecture does not include batteries; it requires people.
architecture is a conceit, sometime arrogant, sometimes not.
architecture is a constant. It happens anywhere, at any time and for anyone.
PROCESS
architecture is a process and a moment, a fixed spatial container simultaneously marking and conceding the inevitable passage of time.
architecture is an obsession, an idea released unwillingly to the world to find a form and function quite apart from intention.
architecture is conflict awaiting resolution; the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive, nothings into something.
architecture is collaboration, not single entities or visions.
architecture is more complex and more rewarding the longer it is ‘practiced’, it takes time and gives time. architecture is a soothsayer, triggering memory of the past, revealing the present, portending the future. architecture is making (ideas into) mistakes, repeating them, making fewer mistakes.
architecture is a field; plow, sow, tend, harvest, lie fallow, sow, plow, tend, harvest.
architecture is knowing when to intervene and when to stand back.
architecture is a cup of black coffee; two cups of coffee. Okay, maybe three.
architecture stands on the shoulders of giants, leap once you get a good look.
architecture is clinging logic, wild intuition, inherent responsibility and dumb luck.
John Umbanhowar