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July 28, 2006
IKEA: places&spaces
Wow, this a loaded subject. But my focus for the hour is on this fancy-dancy new catalogue I recieved in the mail. Please excuse the images - I don't have a scanner. (And as for the writing, I have a weird mind. I don't know how I come up with things but all thoughts are my own.)
So...I open up the catalogue and I see products. Most look pretty good. There are a lot of cool and modern designs crammed onto the pages. Looking. Perusing. I realize then, that all of these products are in context shots. A definition of 'context shot' is what it sounds like... a product in its natural space. For example a blender sits in the kitchen, not a blender in the bathroom. So I'm looking through the catalogue and I begin to think about the invisible connection between a product and its space. I'm not just talking about a miniscule space on the counter or the table, I'm talking about an entire architectural connection--products in the entire house, the entire apartment.
It is very interesting to know that objects are created to be used. The same thing goes for buildings and their interiors. Everyone knows what a chair is, but people choose its form, dimensions, and material based on where it is going in the house. What I am trying to say, in a very round about way, is that there is absolutely no communication between architecture and designed products. People have to make these relationships on their own, by finding products to match the space. Places and spaces are made - different types of rooms built without furnishings (except for some things built into the structure like counter surfaces, drawers, cabinets and the such.) Your architecture is fixed, there is no altering the space unless you move into a new building or do alterations/renovations to your current property.
Despite one's fixed architecture, the products that adorn the space is whatever one can afford. It is like a set of scales. Usually its balanced. The quality of your furnishings fit the quality of your space. So what if you go on opposite ends: a dirt poor house filled with Alessi furnishings? Or you live in a huge freakn' place but own items from Clement street/Chinatown. This does not make a good relationship between the architecture and furnishings. Unless you are very poor there should be no scales to bind you and you can buy anything or nothing at all. Hopefully you will choose furnishings appropriate to your building.
Ok. a little off the point....back to my main topic. By the way, I am not always linear in my thought process. I usually go on tangents because I tend to get into every little possible detail. I jump around in my thoughts. Rarely do I get something and just run with it unless I'm being chased.
figure 1. My thought process vs. other peoples' thought process
Seriously. back on topic. What I am trying to propose is that it would be interesting to see a project where architects design a house and its spaces in conjunction with Industrial Designers, who create the objects in a way that coincide with the space; to spark some kind of mutual design language/dialogue between both fields. Maybe it has already happened. From what I can find, the closest thing to this relationship are toilets, showers, sinks, and refrigerators. Big basic objects already built in with the architecture. I mean, if you look at the IKEA pictures it appears as if everything is perfect. Every object fits in its space with proper proportions and color. What you don't see are the people behind the scenes building the set, painting it, and an interior designer coming in and placing the products for a great photo shoot. In this case, the interior is built to fit the products, not vice versa as it usually goes.
So what would my proposed project entail? Groups of architects and industrial designers getting together and creating a space, furnishing it, and adorning it at the same time. What this needs is a goal or a set of design specs. For example, "this space is for a young modern couple" or "this is to be disabled friendly," also "legal/illegal immigrant family new to SF". I mean, you can't just say to someone, "hey create a space"...we'll let you know if we like it. That just does not fly. (right PJ) I find that the more constraints and challenges that are imposed, the more clever, smart, and relevant the end result end up.
Posted by Will at 05:50 PM | Comments (13)
July 26, 2006
OK so...
It has been a long time but now that I am out of school and unemployed I have a little bit of time to think and write, can I make this anymore of a run-on sentance? More to come.
Posted by Will at 07:26 AM | Comments (6)