Asking the Right Question

Before we start designing, all the most important parameters and all the influencing forces of the project should be considered. We can talk about measurable, as well as immeasurable parameters. Measurable values could be the ground-space, the available budget or the local building regulations. The immeasurable side could consist of desires, expectations or even fears. The forces included in the project might even be controversial, that is why a priority list should be set up: what is essential, and what could be changed if needed.The parameters should be considered from multiple points of view, since it is a lot easier to make changes at the beginning of the design-process. Sometimes there is no way that all the parameters could all work together. The design-process itself can only start after the design-program is clearly stated.

Defining the Building

It basically means that complex questions are formed into a simple solution, and the source of controversial forces in the design-program is found. The first stages of designing could be rather chaotic, that is why it is worth leaving some time for considering all the questions properly.

One important task of the architect is the functional arrangement of the spaces within the house, but this in itself is not architecture. Architecture starts with the basic idea, then it is synthetised by the forces appearing during the design-program, and finally it is formed into the core of the project. This provides the usefulness of the function and the long-lasting value of the spaces.

Spaces are at least as important as – or even more important than – the actual walls dividing them into their shapes. Arriving at a space could be heavily affected by the space we are arriving from. For example entering from a low-built, northern room into a higher-built, sun-lit, southern part of the house, the latter could seem a lot more spacious and brighter than it really is. Besides, the more functions certain architectural elements possess, the better it is. Just think of an elegant flight of stairs that could function as a modern sculpture in the centre of the living area, but could also be interpreted as a dividing line between two spaces. Or let us take a window: it lets is the light, heats up the room with solar energy, and could function as a frame for a „living picture”.

The task of the design is to integrate. All the different parts should stand together as a whole. Another thing that should also be considered is the way the building can enrich its environment. That is why the perfect balance of intuition and reason is so essential.

Before designing a house, it is really important to clarify whether the client is looking for a „consultant” or an „author”. The „consultant” gathers all the available information, and lets the client decide, as opposed to the „author”, who also evaluates those pieces of information and comes up with possible solutions. An architect is usually most effective as an „author”. The possible solutions then can be discussed with the client, and together they can get to the next level. Repeating previously used designs is not a good idea, since every client and every need is different, and also because questions could be more and more complex, which can significantly raise the chance of failure. During the design-process one needs to learn how to „read between the lines”, and focus on the things that previously did not seem important. Also, details that turn out to be „out of place”, should be omitted. Just think of a Christmas tree! The reason why it is beautiful is not because we put every single piece of decoration that we found on it. The design-progress is like cooking together: the taste will be different if the architect and the client cook separately, and not together. Decisions made together will possess a lot more value.