Japan. I lived in Tokyo in my early 20s and fell in love with the city and culture. Everything was so well considered, it felt like a different world. Through my appreciation of the country, I in turn had my assumptions of buildings, spaces and objects challenged and reborn. It was an exciting period of my life and gave me purpose.
I write this in the midst of a pandemic and can only think of how our world has fundamentally changed in only a few months. It’s encouraging to see how quickly humanity has responded to COVID-19 and it gives me hope that we can similarly rise to our shared climate crisis, but it obviously will have a lasting impact on how we approach design.
Good design transcends our ability to quantify, it’s always greater than the sum of its parts. It’s a force that goes beyond our senses and stirs the deep waters in our soul. Just like good music and good food and all things good. We are drawn to it and feel a connection, which gives us all a sense of ownership and pride. These are the building blocks of community.
The process. I still marvel at how a project develops. As an architect, beginning with a diagram, sketch or simple model and then pushed and pulled over thousands of hours of analysis, exploration and coordination with dozens of people all working together, but from unique perspectives to create another moment in our built environment. It’s a wonderfully rewarding and humbling process to experience.
Ryue Nishizawa’s Art Museum on the island of Teshima was a special experience. The meandering approach to the entrance, the building’s integration of nature, the craftmanship (the concrete is as smooth as butter), the moments of discovery, the experienced solitude and corresponding increased connection to those around you are a few reflections. Most important though inspiration is the simplicity of the project. It’s as it is and there’s nothing extraneous. It’s important to me to know that projects like this exist.
Never stop. Hard work pays off. You never know where inspiration will find you, where a conversation will lead or the corresponding reaction to an action. Yes, there will be mistakes and failures, but that’s life. Get up, keep trying, don’t stop.
