DESIGN APPROPRIATENESS
By Fred Rieber, Director of Design, Principal; SPACE

In bringing forth a common design philosophy, SPACE needs to only look at past projects to see where we succeed.  We share many definitions of success:  functional relationships, budgetary considerations, schedule, client interface, and aesthetic results.  In all, the word APPROPRIATE is key to the overall success of projects regardless of size or type.  SPACE’s approach to creative problem solving a.k.a. “design” is an architectural process which requires balance between the pragmatic issues of:  

• The business drivers we must address

• The building we are given

• The patterns of work:  people movement, those of communication

• The aesthetics resulting from integrating form, proportion, space, time, journey, light, color, and materials.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.  In documenting thoughts on Architecture 2,000 years ago, Markus Vitruvius wrote his Ten Books of Architecture “The end is to build well.  Well building hath three conditions:  firmness, commodity, and delight”.

• Firmness:  Architecture must be well constructed.  It must stand.

• Commodity:  Architecture must be appropriate to its function, budget, schedule, and culture.

• Delight:  Architecture also serves as an art form, recognizing the aesthetic nature of man.

There exists within the Design profession a schism between what makes for excellent design (firmness, commodity, and delight), and contemporary understanding of interior design as fashion, styling, and decorating.  This conflict has all too often manifested itself in what designers see as the “design” role. While there is active attention on firmness and delight, commodity (appropriateness) demands an active discussion.  What is appropriate for a Technology firm is not appropriate for an Ad Agency, Law Firm, Accounting business nor Telecommunications company.

Appropriateness relates to design.  Establishing a strong concept (formative idea) at the onset of a project is critical to design success:

• What are appropriateness design decisions based on business drivers, budget, and schedule?

• What is the appropriate engagement with the client during the design process?

• How do we define design excellence, recognizing firmness, commodity, and delight as equal measures in the success of our work?

Therefore, what is appropriate to serve as guidelines to the multitude of decisions made all along the way? Two opposite expressions are often heard in describing projects are “down and dirty” and “self absorbed and indulgent”.  Neither of these extreme attitudes should be embraced.  Our success at SPACE lies in both strong concept and APPROPRIATE decisions made throughout the entire process.  The result is that we share project success.

Back to SPACE Newsletter