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Eureka Bulb.jpg

Searching for that Eureka Moment

November 13, 2017

Do you ever wonder how Design Magic happens? 

 

This is the November edition of #Architalks: the archi-blog phenomenom started by Bob Borson of Life of an Architect.  Every month a motley crew of archi-bloggers gather to write about the same topic.  This month’s topic was ‘Eureka,’ suggested by yours truly Steve Ramos of BuildingsAreCool. 

I picked Eureka because I am always searching for that Eureka Moment and I was interested in seeing what my fellow bloggers had to say about the topic. 

 

What is the Eureka Moment?

The Eureka Moment comes from the famous myth of the Greek Scholar Archimedes.  Archimedes was given a job by the king to determine if the king’s golden crown was in fact 100% gold or a composite of other inferior metals.  The Eureka Moment occurred when Archimedes was taking a bath.  As he lowered himself into the bathtub, he noticed that water was spilling out.  This triggered the realization that Archimedes could measure the volume of the golden crown by the amount of water it displaced.  He could then compare the volume of the crown to a chunk of gold of equal weight and determine if the crown was 100% gold. 

It was at this moment that Archimedes leaped out of the bathtub and ran naked through the streets of Syracuse screaming, “Eureka, Eureka,” which in Greek means “I have found it.”

 

An Architect’s Eureka Moment

I like to think of the Design Process as a series of Eureka Moments.  The process of design discovery is what keeps me continually interested in Architecture.  It does not happen often but when those eureka moment’s occur it is powerful.  It is similar to a golfer who can play a horrible round of golf, but only needs one magical shot (out of 100) to keep them coming back for more. 

 

How to Create Eureka Moments with Design

Every design problem is different, however I believe that to be a successful designer you need to have these 4 basic ingredients:

 

1. Optimism

“Whenever you think you can, or you think you can’t--you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Henry Ford.jpg

Step 1 is optimism.  You have to believe that there is a solution to your design problem.  You have to believe that there is a better way to do something.  And you have to believe that you will push through the sticking points.  Optimism is imperative to success at design.

 

 

2. Inspiration

“Good artists borrow, great artists steal.” – Pablo Picasso

Picasso.jpg

Maybe you are a genius, but I am not.  Learning from what has already been done is one of the basic lessons in design.  In architecture school we learned to study the design precedents of the great architects.  This same practice occurs in the real world.  A good designer is always looking for inspiration.

 

3. Exposure

“It is not your qualifications but your exposure in life that makes you who you are.” – Jaggi Vasudev

panorama-2646143_960_720.jpg

To gain inspiration, you must be exposed to inspirational things.  This requires you to get out and see the world.  Read a book, take a trip, look at the internet, meditate…..do something!  The answers are all out there!  A good designer puts themselves in situations where they will gain exposure.

 

4. Stamina

“Inspiration is for amateurs.  The rest of us just show up and get to work.” – Chuck Close

chuck close.jpg

But wait.....what about what Picasso said?  Picasso and Chuck Close are both exceptional artists and they are both right.  Great art takes inspiration and hard work and architect is no different. 

Design is HARD.  Big time!  You will get stuck and some times hit a wall.  But because you have optimism, inspiration and exposure those walls will become hurdles that you will eventually clear.  A good designer understands that design is a process and will have the stamina to finish the race.

 

Stay Tuned.....

In my next blog post I will share a cool design that illustrates how optimism, inspiration, exposure and stamina lead our design team to some fantastic Eureka Moments.  For now, please check out the Eureka Posts of my blogging buddies from #Architalks:

Lora Teagarden - L² Design, LLC (@L2DesignLLC)
Eureka!? Finding myself amid the "busy."

Jeremiah Russell, AIA - ROGUE Architecture (@rogue_architect)
Gee, golly, gosh EUREKA: #architalks

Eric T. Faulkner - Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
Eureka! -- Things That Suck

Michele Grace Hottel - Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
eureka!!!!

Jeffrey Pelletier - Board & Vellum (@boardandvellum)
Finding That "Eureka!" Moment in the Design Process

Keith Palma - Architect's Trace (@cogitatedesign)
Naked in the Street

Mark Stephens - Mark Stephens Architects (@architectmark)
Eureka moments and what do if clients don't appreciate them

Larry Lucas - Lucas Sustainable, PLLC (@LarryLucasArch)
Eureka for George in Seinfeld Episode 181

In Architecture, Design Tags #architalks, Design Process, Design, #ArchiTalks
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Welcome to BUILDINGS ARE COOL!

Hello, my name is Steve Ramos.  This site is about what it's like to be a young architect in Charleston, South Carolina.  In 10 years, I will write about what it is like to be a middle-age architect. 

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Good morning from Elliott Street! This handsome devil is a newish building that has some great brick details. How about some brick terminology? At the heads of the windows and doors at the 2nd and 3rd floor you will see what is called a ‘Jack Arch’ or some call it a ‘Flat Arch.’. Rather than a typical round arch the jack arch angles the bricks to create a keystone effect in which it can actually support the wall above. Look up at the top of the building and you will see banding. This banding is created by gradually stepping out the brick like a game of jenga. This stepping of the brick is called corbelling or one may say brick corbels. One last 🧱 term, this brownish colored brick is referred to as Savannah Grey and is very common in the Low-country. And there you have it folks. #themoreyouknow🌈
Good morning from Elliott Street! This handsome devil is a newish building that has some great brick details. How about some brick terminology? At the heads of the windows and doors at the 2nd and 3rd floor you will see what is called a ‘Jack Arch’ or some call it a ‘Flat Arch.’. Rather than a typical round arch the jack arch angles the bricks to create a keystone effect in which it can actually support the wall above. Look up at the top of the building and you will see banding. This banding is created by gradually stepping out the brick like a game of jenga. This stepping of the brick is called corbelling or one may say brick corbels. One last 🧱 term, this brownish colored brick is referred to as Savannah Grey and is very common in the Low-country. And there you have it folks. #themoreyouknow🌈
Good morning from South of Broad! Another photo where I can't remember the street. I believe it was either Church or State? #punny This #singlehouseoftheday has got something that is very rare in Charleston.......a front yard! One of the biggest differences between urban design and suburban design is that in the city, the buildings are right up on the street, whereas in the burbs the buildings are set back from the street. This is certainly the case in Charleston. It is one of the things that makes are streets so beautiful. The buildings line up like soldiers (soldier buildings we call um) and form an urban wall that makes the street feel like a room. Now, occasionally there is a home that bucks the system and has a front yard like this guy. And good for them! Yards are awesome. When I am on my urban safaris I am often enamored by the landscaping and hardscaping of these little yards and driveways. Buildings are cool...but so are gardens and even driveways if done well. In fact, when I give folks tours South of Broad I find them most amazed with the driveways and mini-gardens. #gardensarecool
Good morning from South of Broad! Another photo where I can't remember the street. I believe it was either Church or State? #punny This #singlehouseoftheday has got something that is very rare in Charleston.......a front yard! One of the biggest differences between urban design and suburban design is that in the city, the buildings are right up on the street, whereas in the burbs the buildings are set back from the street. This is certainly the case in Charleston. It is one of the things that makes are streets so beautiful. The buildings line up like soldiers (soldier buildings we call um) and form an urban wall that makes the street feel like a room. Now, occasionally there is a home that bucks the system and has a front yard like this guy. And good for them! Yards are awesome. When I am on my urban safaris I am often enamored by the landscaping and hardscaping of these little yards and driveways. Buildings are cool...but so are gardens and even driveways if done well. In fact, when I give folks tours South of Broad I find them most amazed with the driveways and mini-gardens. #gardensarecool
Good morning from King Street! You know that it is @sewechs weekend when you see a fella carving a wood duck in front of the @audubonsociety gallery. Head over to Marion Square this weekend to see all the cool wildlife and neat things. And if you are like us 8 years ago, walk by @mdumasandsons and accidentally buy one of the puppies in the window from @charlestonanimalsociety Best accident that ever happened. Cheers and have a great weekend !!!! #dailydoseofcharleston #sewe
Good morning from King Street! You know that it is @sewechs weekend when you see a fella carving a wood duck in front of the @audubonsociety gallery. Head over to Marion Square this weekend to see all the cool wildlife and neat things. And if you are like us 8 years ago, walk by @mdumasandsons and accidentally buy one of the puppies in the window from @charlestonanimalsociety Best accident that ever happened. Cheers and have a great weekend !!!! #dailydoseofcharleston #sewe
Good morning from State and Chalmers! This building is one of my favs. It does a lot of things right but it it is also imperfect and quirky. The proportion of the facade is 💯 Tall and skinny just looks good. The aspect ratio of the facade is 2 to 1, which would be the height to width. It has great balance, aka symmetry. Each floor has a different window pattern which adds interest. The stucco has that patina look that we all go gaga over. Some of the quirks: the 2nd floor window looks like it may have been a balcony at some point. The front door seems too small and should be taller. The proportion of the top window is wonky. The banding at the 3rd floor line almost seems industrial. But it still works. It has character. What do folks think? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from State and Chalmers! This building is one of my favs. It does a lot of things right but it it is also imperfect and quirky. The proportion of the facade is 💯 Tall and skinny just looks good. The aspect ratio of the facade is 2 to 1, which would be the height to width. It has great balance, aka symmetry. Each floor has a different window pattern which adds interest. The stucco has that patina look that we all go gaga over. Some of the quirks: the 2nd floor window looks like it may have been a balcony at some point. The front door seems too small and should be taller. The proportion of the top window is wonky. The banding at the 3rd floor line almost seems industrial. But it still works. It has character. What do folks think? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Charleston! Ya know.....I don’t recall where I snapped this photo. But I do recall loving this view. Happy Valentine’s Day Y’all! #singlehouseoftheday
Good morning from Charleston! Ya know.....I don’t recall where I snapped this photo. But I do recall loving this view. Happy Valentine’s Day Y’all! #singlehouseoftheday
Good morning from Broad Street! This little guy is known as ‘Fast and French.’. The longer and much harder to pronounce name is Gaulart and Maticlet French Cafe. I hadn’t stopped to look at this building before until last night when I was down here with my @cpad12bull students. About 20 minutes later we got caught in a crazy rain storm 😜 🌧..........but back to the building. I am not a master of architectural styles but I might call this Greek Revival. The pilasters on the corners and pediment look at the gable recalls a Greek Temple. Thoughts? One thing I can decipher is the form of the Charleston Single House. If you look to the left you see a sliver of the building that looks like it could have been a piazza (side porch). Maybe it was a piazza that was filled in at some point? Because of that I am going to call it the #singlehouseoftheday
Good morning from Broad Street! This little guy is known as ‘Fast and French.’. The longer and much harder to pronounce name is Gaulart and Maticlet French Cafe. I hadn’t stopped to look at this building before until last night when I was down here with my @cpad12bull students. About 20 minutes later we got caught in a crazy rain storm 😜 🌧..........but back to the building. I am not a master of architectural styles but I might call this Greek Revival. The pilasters on the corners and pediment look at the gable recalls a Greek Temple. Thoughts? One thing I can decipher is the form of the Charleston Single House. If you look to the left you see a sliver of the building that looks like it could have been a piazza (side porch). Maybe it was a piazza that was filled in at some point? Because of that I am going to call it the #singlehouseoftheday
Good morning from Marion Square and the Hotel Bennett! This brand new hotel is all everyone is talking about. My favorite part of the exterior is this little bit here. I love the large windows and especially love that they have this exterior seating area. It is a great way to engage with Marion Square. It reminds me of the great piazzas in Italy where the surrounding sidewalk cafes spill out into the space. The roof deck at the top of the photo is another great way to connect. I have not been inside yet. Have you? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Marion Square and the Hotel Bennett! This brand new hotel is all everyone is talking about. My favorite part of the exterior is this little bit here. I love the large windows and especially love that they have this exterior seating area. It is a great way to engage with Marion Square. It reminds me of the great piazzas in Italy where the surrounding sidewalk cafes spill out into the space. The roof deck at the top of the photo is another great way to connect. I have not been inside yet. Have you? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from King Street! These are a couple pix from yesterday’s Second Sunday on King. For those not familiar with Second Sunday’s, from 1-5pm, the city closes King Street from cars leaving it as a pedestrian paradise. If someone were to ask me about Charleston’s best public space, I would say King Street. A good urban street should feel like an outdoor room and that is definitely the case with King Street. Question: should they close King Street off from cars more than just one Sunday per month? Twice a month? Four times? Every day? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from King Street! These are a couple pix from yesterday’s Second Sunday on King. For those not familiar with Second Sunday’s, from 1-5pm, the city closes King Street from cars leaving it as a pedestrian paradise. If someone were to ask me about Charleston’s best public space, I would say King Street. A good urban street should feel like an outdoor room and that is definitely the case with King Street. Question: should they close King Street off from cars more than just one Sunday per month? Twice a month? Four times? Every day? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Archdale Street! This #singlehouseoftheday is a big boy! One of the tallest Charleston Single Houses you will find at 4 1/2 stories. In Charleston we refer to a habitable attic as a 1/2 story. Although it is hard to see from this angle there is a hip roof up there and we can guess it is habitable from the dormer window. For scale purposes look at the 2-story single house to the right. This exhibits the versatility of the single house in that it can be scaled up or down. This house has something that is now considered taboo.....can you guess?.........The piazza (side porch) has been filled in on floors 2 and 3. Nowadays, the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) will not let folks infill their piazzas. Although this infill looks pretty good, this sort of thing runs contrary to the preservation mantra we embrace in the Holy City. The piazza is the most defining feature of the Single House therefore it is critical that we save these gems. #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Archdale Street! This #singlehouseoftheday is a big boy! One of the tallest Charleston Single Houses you will find at 4 1/2 stories. In Charleston we refer to a habitable attic as a 1/2 story. Although it is hard to see from this angle there is a hip roof up there and we can guess it is habitable from the dormer window. For scale purposes look at the 2-story single house to the right. This exhibits the versatility of the single house in that it can be scaled up or down. This house has something that is now considered taboo.....can you guess?.........The piazza (side porch) has been filled in on floors 2 and 3. Nowadays, the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) will not let folks infill their piazzas. Although this infill looks pretty good, this sort of thing runs contrary to the preservation mantra we embrace in the Holy City. The piazza is the most defining feature of the Single House therefore it is critical that we save these gems. #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Tradd Street! Yesterday was a white house with a red door. Today is a white house with a pink door. Or is it salmon? Or Coral? Whatever it is, it works. You may be thinking, is this a Charleston Single House? It does have a Piazza (side porch). But a single house is called a single house because it is a single room wide. I have not been in this house but it is clearly more than a single room wide. Likely 2. Is it a double house? Double houses typically are 2 rooms wide plus a hall that runs down the middle. A double house would be 5 windows wide on the facade. So not a double house. So what is it? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Tradd Street! Yesterday was a white house with a red door. Today is a white house with a pink door. Or is it salmon? Or Coral? Whatever it is, it works. You may be thinking, is this a Charleston Single House? It does have a Piazza (side porch). But a single house is called a single house because it is a single room wide. I have not been in this house but it is clearly more than a single room wide. Likely 2. Is it a double house? Double houses typically are 2 rooms wide plus a hall that runs down the middle. A double house would be 5 windows wide on the facade. So not a double house. So what is it? #dailydoseofcharleston

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