The Importance of PLAY
The modus operandi for the Architectural Foundations is PLAY. This does not mean the class will be frivolous, quite the contrary. We will approach play with the seriousness it deserves, allowing it to expand our capacity for creativity, innovation, and invention. Each Exploration will encourage students to develop their own design methodology to explore and test new and meaningful design strategies. Play encourages curiosity and learning through trial and error, rather than a narrowly defined set of working methodologies. Play asks us to take risks, to test possibilities, and ultimately to develop imaginative strategies of comprehending and designing the world around us.
Architecture is continually confronted with a myriad of rules related to clients, budget, site, program, codes, schedule, structure, etc. How can play influence rules, such that the latter operate as part of a speculative enterprise that manifest new forms of expression? Rather than limiting what we can do, how might rules be rewritten or recast to generate new possibilities for architectural production?
With this in mind, Architectural Foundations will focus on the role play can have in architectural ideation, development, design, and production. Throughout the semester students will explore a variety of methods used by designers who have embraced the spirit of whimsy and know how to play seriously! As Charles and Ray Eames once said:
“Take your pleasure seriously.”