Dear Friends:
The task of communicating my “design philosophy” on this website has caused me to consider the purpose of architecture. I do love the visceral pleasures of fine building materials, the juxtaposition of planed and rough-hewed wood on the same surface, and subtle colors. However, it is the profundity of architecture—its purpose—that tethers me to the profession like romantic mystery adds glue to many of our marriages.
Why do buildings exist? We know we need shelter from the elements and defined places to conduct the routines of our lives (sleeping, eating, selling, learning, etc.). Why are houses, and churches, and classrooms, and marketplaces often more than human-scaled, environment controlled, structurally sound boxes?
Identity. It may be a modern luxury (or a curse of modernity depending on one’s view), but the pursuit of finding or creating one’s identity is something we all hope to do before we die. Who am I? What do I value? What makes me happy? How can I feel fulfilled and necessary? These are the questions that all of us, at some point, ask ourselves. The pursuit of the answers becomes our life.
Architecture is about asking these questions, too. The design-and-build process is the physical manifestation of our individual and collective identities. We can look at a building or space, new or ancient, and find clear answers to questions of values, priorities, and beliefs of the people who built and inhabit them.
Currently I am reading The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton. Mr. de Botton states:
“Belief in the significance of architecture is premised on the notion that we are, for better or for worse, different people in different places—and the conviction that it is architecture’s task to render vivid to us who we might ideally be.”
[pg 13]
This perspective adds a level to the “identity” theory of architecture by suggesting that what is built should be more than mere reflection. Mr. de Botton suggests we are not only manifesting our identities but creating them by incorporating our ideals in the design.
Naturally, beauty must be considered. I believe that beauty is truth exemplified, goodness made physical, hope entombed in matter. “Beauty,” Mr. de Botton says, “is the promise of happiness.” [pg 98] We can make ugly backsides to strip malls and destroy or cover over an existing, beautiful feature during a renovation project—and in doing so we will have communicated the values, priorities and beliefs of the people involved—but have we rendered an ideal? Have we taken architecture to its ultimate level of effectiveness?
As a designer and a facilitator in this pursuit of identity, ideals and beauty, my goal is to be a partner in creation with my client and my society. Architecture is the pursuit of these questions: “what ideals of life can I express and even promise? What do I, you or we hope to be?” and, “what is beautiful?” With this approach the design process is an adventure giving those of us involved the opportunity to discover a deeper understanding, a more universal and more intimate knowledge of ideal human life.
Molly A. Kunselman
Spring 2007
Recommended reading: The Architecture of Happiness, By Alain de Botton, Copyright 2006. Published in the US by Pantheon Books.