Committee on Design

Here's an example of excellent design as featured in this video prepared for and about Curtis Fentress's projects- as he was the recipient of the AIA's Thomas Jefferson award 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/user/fentressarchitects

I really enjoyed this video.  Other architects like Santiago Calatrava have some great websites to check out. 

Would love to know what other people's specific ideas of excellent design are...

Sincerely yours,
Tara



-------------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------

Response to Tara Imani on the Fentress Video, yes, this is wonderful and I hope everyone will take the time to watch it.  I am very uncomfortable with the marketing aspects of it, but, sigh, I guess that's the world we live in.  I suppose, Michelangelo, in his way, was just as bad. 

There are many, many wonderful discussions that could follow from this video.  I will just pick off one here.  Architect as discoverer of parti.

Maybe that really is the kernel.  In a certain sense, my concept of legitimate individuation is the same thing and I have been able to apply that concept at many different scales, none so grand as the Denver Airport, but down to cabinet handles in the other direction.  I think it works.  I think it is a sign of human design related in some way to Ruskin's ideas.  In my mind, it is an example of the architect winking at you through the building, reminding you, comforting you, that a human being created this space, this monument.  So, lets say for the purpose of discussion that no matter the scale of your work, if you don't have a legitimate parti, you aren't doing architecture.  And, then, I suppose the extent to which your parti is understood, and not overbearing, well, maybe that's a measure of excellence in architectural design.
------------------------------------------
Mike Mense FAIA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2011 02:24
From: Tara Imani
Subject: Examples of Excellent Design

Here's an example of excellent design as featured in this video prepared for and about Curtis Fentress's projects- as he was the recipient of the AIA's Thomas Jefferson award 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/user/fentressarchitects

I really enjoyed this video.  Other architects like Santiago Calatrava have some great websites to check out. 

Would love to know what other people's specific ideas of excellent design are...

Sincerely yours,
Tara



-------------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------

Mike, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  You're right, the essence of excellent design begins with a strong parti diagram.  A quick web search on the word 'parti' yielded a few results; the following definition was found on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parti :
A Parti or Parti pris ^[1] / from the French Prendre parti meaning " to make a decision ",^[2] often referred to as the big idea,^[3] is the chief organizing thought or decision behind an architect's design presented in the form of a basic diagram and / or a simple statement.[4

The sources for the above definintion were listed as follows:

1. ^ James Stevens Curl. "parti." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2000. Retrieved May 17, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-parti.html
2. ^ Roth, Leland M. (1992). Understanding Architecture. HarperCollins. p. 527. ISBN 0-06-430158-3
3. ^ Gargus, Jacqueline. Ideas of Order: A Formal Approach to Architecture. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1994.
4. ^ Ching, Francis D. K. (1995). A Visual Dictionary of Architecture. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. p. 53. ISBN 0-442-02462-2.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


I think it's easy to forget this important aspect (e.g. the big idea) of design amid a world of repeat prototypes and demand for faster turnaround times.  Still, these conditions are no excuse for poor design.

For another example of excellence in design, here is a link to Santiago Calatrava's website (click on the Rome video); interestingly, I think he's hiring in his Zurich and NYC offices, per his website:

http://www.calatrava.com/#/Biography/All?mode=english


And, closer to home, an example of excellence in residential design: RWA Architects, Inc., a firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio led by principals John Isch, AIA, LEED AP and Michael Mauch, AIA and LEED AP:
http://www.rwaarchitects.com/en/index.php?page=portfolio


I found the above firm last fall while perusing AIA KnowledgeNet.  There are many talented firms and we need to continue to raise awareness of them.


-----------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 06-11-2011 17:16
From: Mike Mense
Subject: Examples of Excellent Design

Response to Tara Imani on the Fentress Video, yes, this is wonderful and I hope everyone will take the time to watch it.  I am very uncomfortable with the marketing aspects of it, but, sigh, I guess that's the world we live in.  I suppose, Michelangelo, in his way, was just as bad. 

There are many, many wonderful discussions that could follow from this video.  I will just pick off one here.  Architect as discoverer of parti.

Maybe that really is the kernel.  In a certain sense, my concept of legitimate individuation is the same thing and I have been able to apply that concept at many different scales, none so grand as the Denver Airport, but down to cabinet handles in the other direction.  I think it works.  I think it is a sign of human design related in some way to Ruskin's ideas.  In my mind, it is an example of the architect winking at you through the building, reminding you, comforting you, that a human being created this space, this monument.  So, lets say for the purpose of discussion that no matter the scale of your work, if you don't have a legitimate parti, you aren't doing architecture.  And, then, I suppose the extent to which your parti is understood, and not overbearing, well, maybe that's a measure of excellence in architectural design.
------------------------------------------
Mike Mense FAIA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-10-2011 02:24
From: Tara Imani
Subject: Examples of Excellent Design

Here's an example of excellent design as featured in this video prepared for and about Curtis Fentress's projects- as he was the recipient of the AIA's Thomas Jefferson award 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/user/fentressarchitects

I really enjoyed this video.  Other architects like Santiago Calatrava have some great websites to check out. 

Would love to know what other people's specific ideas of excellent design are...

Sincerely yours,
Tara



-------------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------

Response to Tara Imani, RWA certainly expands (or implodes) our discussion.  Its hard for me to understand how anyone with a portfolio like that could want or, would be allowed, to put LEED by their name.  I am not saying who's right.  I am saying they can't happily coexist.  If these are LEED Platinum Houses, well, hmm.  We need some help from COTE on this one.  As for hitting nails on heads, if I did hit one, it is just one of many.  We still have lots of work, play?, to do.

Mike Mense

Original Message:
Sent: 06-11-2011 19:57
From: Tara Imani
Subject: Examples of Excellent Design

Mike, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  You're right, the essence of excellent design begins with a strong parti diagram.  A quick web search on the word 'parti' yielded a few results; the following definition was found on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parti :
A Parti or Parti pris ^[1] / from the French Prendre parti meaning " to make a decision ",^[2] often referred to as the big idea,^[3] is the chief organizing thought or decision behind an architect's design presented in the form of a basic diagram and / or a simple statement.[4

The sources for the above definintion were listed as follows:

1. ^ James Stevens Curl. "parti." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2000. Retrieved May 17, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-parti.html
2. ^ Roth, Leland M. (1992). Understanding Architecture. HarperCollins. p. 527. ISBN 0-06-430158-3
3. ^ Gargus, Jacqueline. Ideas of Order: A Formal Approach to Architecture. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1994.
4. ^ Ching, Francis D. K. (1995). A Visual Dictionary of Architecture. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. p. 53. ISBN 0-442-02462-2.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


I think it's easy to forget this important aspect (e.g. the big idea) of design amid a world of repeat prototypes and demand for faster turnaround times.  Still, these conditions are no excuse for poor design.

For another example of excellence in design, here is a link to Santiago Calatrava's website (click on the Rome video); interestingly, I think he's hiring in his Zurich and NYC offices, per his website:

http://www.calatrava.com/#/Biography/All?mode=english


And, closer to home, an example of excellence in residential design: RWA Architects, Inc., a firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio led by principals John Isch, AIA, LEED AP and Michael Mauch, AIA and LEED AP:
http://www.rwaarchitects.com/en/index.php?page=portfolio


I found the above firm last fall while perusing AIA KnowledgeNet.  There are many talented firms and we need to continue to raise awareness of them.


-----------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------

Mike, I still stand in support of the aformentioned firm's work- regardless of whether it can be deemed LEED worthy or not.  I like it.

Maybe this residential architect's work would meet with your approval for LEED-type work:
http://www.leecalisti.com/  I have great respect for his work, too.  Aesthetically, I prefer RWA- yet, I respect BOTH firm's work ethics as evidenced in their website.  Although, Mr. Calisti's design philosophy is very well-expressed and engaging.

If anyone wants a good laugh (or cry), you may check out my website.  I am personally working toward my LEED accreditation and the short portfolio that is shown so far reflects pre-historic LEEDian days.  It is what it is: a work in progress.  www.taraimanidesigns.com.

I think this discussion proves what I've said before on this forum- there are vast differences in detailing and design approaches between commercial and residential projects.  It's hardly fair to compare the two.  Or, is it merely the style that is so vastly different? 

Kind regards,
Tara
-------------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2011 20:54
From: Mike Mense
Subject: Examples of Excellent Design

Response to Tara Imani, RWA certainly expands (or implodes) our discussion.  Its hard for me to understand how anyone with a portfolio like that could want or, would be allowed, to put LEED by their name.  I am not saying who's right.  I am saying they can't happily coexist.  If these are LEED Platinum Houses, well, hmm.  We need some help from COTE on this one.  As for hitting nails on heads, if I did hit one, it is just one of many.  We still have lots of work, play?, to do.

Mike Mense

Original Message:
Sent: 06-11-2011 19:57
From: Tara Imani
Subject: Examples of Excellent Design

Mike, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  You're right, the essence of excellent design begins with a strong parti diagram.  A quick web search on the word 'parti' yielded a few results; the following definition was found on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parti :
A Parti or Parti pris ^[1] / from the French Prendre parti meaning " to make a decision ",^[2] often referred to as the big idea,^[3] is the chief organizing thought or decision behind an architect's design presented in the form of a basic diagram and / or a simple statement.[4

The sources for the above definintion were listed as follows:

1. ^ James Stevens Curl. "parti." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2000. Retrieved May 17, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-parti.html
2. ^ Roth, Leland M. (1992). Understanding Architecture. HarperCollins. p. 527. ISBN 0-06-430158-3
3. ^ Gargus, Jacqueline. Ideas of Order: A Formal Approach to Architecture. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1994.
4. ^ Ching, Francis D. K. (1995). A Visual Dictionary of Architecture. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. p. 53. ISBN 0-442-02462-2.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


I think it's easy to forget this important aspect (e.g. the big idea) of design amid a world of repeat prototypes and demand for faster turnaround times.  Still, these conditions are no excuse for poor design.

For another example of excellence in design, here is a link to Santiago Calatrava's website (click on the Rome video); interestingly, I think he's hiring in his Zurich and NYC offices, per his website:

http://www.calatrava.com/#/Biography/All?mode=english


And, closer to home, an example of excellence in residential design: RWA Architects, Inc., a firm located in Cincinnati, Ohio led by principals John Isch, AIA, LEED AP and Michael Mauch, AIA and LEED AP:
http://www.rwaarchitects.com/en/index.php?page=portfolio


I found the above firm last fall while perusing AIA KnowledgeNet.  There are many talented firms and we need to continue to raise awareness of them.


-----------------------------------------
Tara Imani AIA
Principal
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
Houston TX
-------------------------------------------