On architecture

'Architecture is the intention of permanence' - Robert Hughes

As I started this blog part way through the design process of our build, when there is nothing new to report I will revisit the old.  The architecture of our home falls under the latter category.

I have long held a passion for architecture, as Seinfeld's George Costanza always said he wanted to be an architect, a part of me did too.  Originally we considered project homes, but it soon became clear that despite some promising designs ultimately they did not satisfy our requirements.  Something custom to our needs was the obvious solution.

To me, it comes down to understanding how you live; that is the pathways one takes day-to-day whilst performing everyday activities.  Whether you're doing chores such as cooking or gardening, or enjoying the luxury of leisure, maybe watching sport or writing a blog, they are all connected and in my view it is the job of the architecture to link these activities so they can function within the same environment.

That doesn't make it sound easy!  So breaking large problems into smaller ones and adding some guiding principles for good measure is the solution:

Be together - Many modern homes today have three places you can eat and four places to relax and watch TV.  I'm not suggesting that you have can't have any time alone, but the architecture should encourage cohabitation of its spaces.

Be practical - A home that allows form overtake function will never achieve harmonious living.  A nice motherhood statement; translated, the layout of the rooms must have a working relationship with each other.

Be stateful - The asthetics of the home should inspire and promote a feeling of happiness to its inhabitants.  To achieve this it should reflect the style that the owner wishes to convey and makes a statement of who they are.

Be modern - A home is not modern because of how it looks, it also must be suited to modern lifestyles.  For example, homes of the 50's and 60's have next to zero storage because people just did not have the wealth of belongings that we have today.  The architecture must suit the needs of today.

So with these princples the task of designing an architecture that would serve as a permanent home for Dani and I would commence.