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BUILDINGS ARE COOL

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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 217 Ashley Avenue! This house sits pretty grand at the corner of Ashley and Cannon. Always very photogenic. Another one where I couldn’t decide which picture is best: the angles shot or the straight on elevation. Thoughts? This property has created quite the controversy in the neighborhood. The owner has made several attempts to change the zoning to a commercial designation so that the property could be an event venue or #airbnb property. The owner argues that the property is too big for a single-family residence and that they have been unable to sell it because of that and that there is too much commercial activity in the area. This may be true, but the real reason is that the property is worth a considerable amount more as a short-term rental hotel than as a single unit. The short-term rental income would be 3-4 times what the mortgage would be or what they could get renting long term. This is true of any downtown property. The neighborhood is concerned that the commercial designation opens this property up to a myriad of commercial uses and that an event venue would be disruptive to the hood. Both sides are right. Hmmmm.....
Good morning from 217 Ashley Avenue! This house sits pretty grand at the corner of Ashley and Cannon. Always very photogenic. Another one where I couldn’t decide which picture is best: the angles shot or the straight on elevation. Thoughts? This property has created quite the controversy in the neighborhood. The owner has made several attempts to change the zoning to a commercial designation so that the property could be an event venue or #airbnb property. The owner argues that the property is too big for a single-family residence and that they have been unable to sell it because of that and that there is too much commercial activity in the area. This may be true, but the real reason is that the property is worth a considerable amount more as a short-term rental hotel than as a single unit. The short-term rental income would be 3-4 times what the mortgage would be or what they could get renting long term. This is true of any downtown property. The neighborhood is concerned that the commercial designation opens this property up to a myriad of commercial uses and that an event venue would be disruptive to the hood. Both sides are right. Hmmmm.....
Good morning from Felix Street! I mentioned a few weeks ago how I am drawn to buildings that are 3 windows wide. The proportions just seem to always work. And here is another great example. This one also does something else well: It is simple. Simple requires balance and harmony. Simple requires rigor and constraint. Simple requires reduction and refinement. Simple can actually be harder to design than the complex. Here’s to a simple Friday! #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Felix Street! I mentioned a few weeks ago how I am drawn to buildings that are 3 windows wide. The proportions just seem to always work. And here is another great example. This one also does something else well: It is simple. Simple requires balance and harmony. Simple requires rigor and constraint. Simple requires reduction and refinement. Simple can actually be harder to design than the complex. Here’s to a simple Friday! #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from the coolest office space in town: @boomtownroi ! The folks at Boomtown were kind enough to host our @ulisouthcarolina Meeting last night. I have to give props to my colleagues at @ls3p for designing this killer space. This is a great example of an #adaptivereuse project as this was a former warehouse space that was transformed into a tech office space. Of course I love the colors and that wild light fixture kicks ass! I want to work here! Any other great office spaces in Charleston I should check out?
Good morning from the coolest office space in town: @boomtownroi ! The folks at Boomtown were kind enough to host our @ulisouthcarolina Meeting last night. I have to give props to my colleagues at @ls3p for designing this killer space. This is a great example of an #adaptivereuse project as this was a former warehouse space that was transformed into a tech office space. Of course I love the colors and that wild light fixture kicks ass! I want to work here! Any other great office spaces in Charleston I should check out?
Good morning from East Bay Street! The pair of buildings on the left always catch my eye. They appear to be sister buildings but it is really the yellow paint that makes them seem more the same than they really are. Maybe cousins would be more appropriate? Another cool thing about these buildings are that they flank unity alley. For the #foodies out there, one of our favorite restaurants @minerochs is shown on the right side of the image. Awesome #texmex Where is your favorite texmex or Mexican joint?
Good morning from East Bay Street! The pair of buildings on the left always catch my eye. They appear to be sister buildings but it is really the yellow paint that makes them seem more the same than they really are. Maybe cousins would be more appropriate? Another cool thing about these buildings are that they flank unity alley. For the #foodies out there, one of our favorite restaurants @minerochs is shown on the right side of the image. Awesome #texmex Where is your favorite texmex or Mexican joint?
Good morning from the Old Town of Fernandina, Florida! This is the site of the original Spanish Land Grant settlement. Unfortunately the only thing that remains is the original street grid but it is cool to visit nonetheless. Now there are a bunch of cute houses that appear to be a mix of Victorian, Craftsman and Beach Bungalow. Some of them even look like what I would call Lowcountry Architecture that we have in Charleston. Swipe to see each pic. When Danielle saw the first house she shrieked,”Look at the pitch on that roof!” That made me proud. Who knows the significance of the 3rd house pictured? @dcarve and @poshtashc are excluded from this competition. #happymonday
Good morning from the Old Town of Fernandina, Florida! This is the site of the original Spanish Land Grant settlement. Unfortunately the only thing that remains is the original street grid but it is cool to visit nonetheless. Now there are a bunch of cute houses that appear to be a mix of Victorian, Craftsman and Beach Bungalow. Some of them even look like what I would call Lowcountry Architecture that we have in Charleston. Swipe to see each pic. When Danielle saw the first house she shrieked,”Look at the pitch on that roof!” That made me proud. Who knows the significance of the 3rd house pictured? @dcarve and @poshtashc are excluded from this competition. #happymonday
Good morning from Fernandina Beach! This is actually the Amelia Island Welcome Center in downtown Fernandina. What a great little building. Formerly a train station. I guess you would call this arts and crafts architecture. Arts and Crafts occurred late 1800’s, early 1900’s and was characterized by simple forms with hand made details like the decoration in the gable of this roof. An little ol architect named Frank Lloyd Wright rose up around this time and this little building reminds me a lot of #franklloydwright The detail in the gable and the arched doorway feels Wright. #punintended #dadjokes I am going to do some more exploring in Fernandina today and share some more pix tomorrow. Any recommendations?
Good morning from Fernandina Beach! This is actually the Amelia Island Welcome Center in downtown Fernandina. What a great little building. Formerly a train station. I guess you would call this arts and crafts architecture. Arts and Crafts occurred late 1800’s, early 1900’s and was characterized by simple forms with hand made details like the decoration in the gable of this roof. An little ol architect named Frank Lloyd Wright rose up around this time and this little building reminds me a lot of #franklloydwright The detail in the gable and the arched doorway feels Wright. #punintended #dadjokes I am going to do some more exploring in Fernandina today and share some more pix tomorrow. Any recommendations?
Good morning from Beaufort, South Carolina! You know what I like about Beaufort? They have given their urban waterfront to the people. This pic is taken at their waterfront park. In addition to having a beautifully landscaped park, they also have restaurants and shops that open up to the park. So it is an ‘Active’ Park. There is also a bandstand and they were setting up for their Water Festival. Parks are great, but active parks are better because they get more use and provide a greater benefit to the surrounding properties. Charleston could learn a few things here. Charleston has some nice waterfront parks but you can’t even find a place to use the restroom. And waterfront restaurants? We have 2. Good job Beaufort! You rock! #luvbft
Good morning from Beaufort, South Carolina! You know what I like about Beaufort? They have given their urban waterfront to the people. This pic is taken at their waterfront park. In addition to having a beautifully landscaped park, they also have restaurants and shops that open up to the park. So it is an ‘Active’ Park. There is also a bandstand and they were setting up for their Water Festival. Parks are great, but active parks are better because they get more use and provide a greater benefit to the surrounding properties. Charleston could learn a few things here. Charleston has some nice waterfront parks but you can’t even find a place to use the restroom. And waterfront restaurants? We have 2. Good job Beaufort! You rock! #luvbft
Good morning from Habersham! Haber what you say? Swipe to see all the pix. #Habersham is a nifty little community outside of Beaufort. Habersham is a #newurbanist community designed by the firm DPZ out of Miami. Folks in Charleston know the neighborhood I’on which is also a new urbanist neighborhood designed by DPZ. New urbanism also called Traditional Neighborhood Development is a form of design that involves using Urban principles to design greenfield communities in rural and suburban areas. It really should be called Old Urbanism because this is the way that communities and towns were historically designed before the automobile took control. These neighborhoods are designed to be Walkable and in many ways are the antithesis of suburban sprawl. The building lots are smaller, there is higher density, but also high quality green space and most important: businesses, schools and recreation uses are integrated within walking distance. The result is a greater sense of community and higher quality of life. Architectural guidelines are also established which help create a cohesive sense of place. I really liked the little post office. Great stuff!
Good morning from Habersham! Haber what you say? Swipe to see all the pix. #Habersham is a nifty little community outside of Beaufort. Habersham is a #newurbanist community designed by the firm DPZ out of Miami. Folks in Charleston know the neighborhood I’on which is also a new urbanist neighborhood designed by DPZ. New urbanism also called Traditional Neighborhood Development is a form of design that involves using Urban principles to design greenfield communities in rural and suburban areas. It really should be called Old Urbanism because this is the way that communities and towns were historically designed before the automobile took control. These neighborhoods are designed to be Walkable and in many ways are the antithesis of suburban sprawl. The building lots are smaller, there is higher density, but also high quality green space and most important: businesses, schools and recreation uses are integrated within walking distance. The result is a greater sense of community and higher quality of life. Architectural guidelines are also established which help create a cohesive sense of place. I really liked the little post office. Great stuff!
Good morning from the Ruins of Prince William’s Parish Church more commonly k own as Old Sheldon Church!!! Swipe to see all the pix. I am trying to teach my daughter that buildings are cool. I think she agrees. A visit to Old Sheldon is a must. If you are leaving Charleston heading south on 17 towards Savannah it is about 10 minutes shy of I-95. Old Sheldon is such a picturesque place to stretch your legs and enjoy some history. I guess you could say this building has good bones! These bones have lasted as far back as the 1750’s and survived a barbecue during the Revolutionary War. When I was in architecture school I spent 4 weeks studying in the ruins of Ancient Pompeii. These ruins remind me of Pompeii except that Pompeii is about 2,000 years old! I also like to imagine what the church would have looked like. Has anyone ever seen a drawing? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from the Ruins of Prince William’s Parish Church more commonly k own as Old Sheldon Church!!! Swipe to see all the pix. I am trying to teach my daughter that buildings are cool. I think she agrees. A visit to Old Sheldon is a must. If you are leaving Charleston heading south on 17 towards Savannah it is about 10 minutes shy of I-95. Old Sheldon is such a picturesque place to stretch your legs and enjoy some history. I guess you could say this building has good bones! These bones have lasted as far back as the 1750’s and survived a barbecue during the Revolutionary War. When I was in architecture school I spent 4 weeks studying in the ruins of Ancient Pompeii. These ruins remind me of Pompeii except that Pompeii is about 2,000 years old! I also like to imagine what the church would have looked like. Has anyone ever seen a drawing? #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Middle Atlantic Wharf Street! This is another street that you may not be that familiar with. It is a 2-block street that connects East Bay to the Waterfront Park. Some #funfacts about this street: you may refer to those stones in the street as cobble stones but the proper term is Belgian block. These granite stones are more square than the traditional rounded cobble. The other cool thing about this street and some of the others in this area is that you can still see train tracks in some areas. The harbor would have been full of wharfs and these tracks would be used to cart goods from the water to warehouses on land. Warehouses like the one in this photo. Special thanks to my 2 models, whoever they are..........Also special congrats to Charleston for being recognized as the #1 US City by @travelandleisure for the 6th straight year. I am proud to live in such a wonderful place and happy that others feel the same way. I guess that’s why we live here! #dailydoseofcharleston
Good morning from Middle Atlantic Wharf Street! This is another street that you may not be that familiar with. It is a 2-block street that connects East Bay to the Waterfront Park. Some #funfacts about this street: you may refer to those stones in the street as cobble stones but the proper term is Belgian block. These granite stones are more square than the traditional rounded cobble. The other cool thing about this street and some of the others in this area is that you can still see train tracks in some areas. The harbor would have been full of wharfs and these tracks would be used to cart goods from the water to warehouses on land. Warehouses like the one in this photo. Special thanks to my 2 models, whoever they are..........Also special congrats to Charleston for being recognized as the #1 US City by @travelandleisure for the 6th straight year. I am proud to live in such a wonderful place and happy that others feel the same way. I guess that’s why we live here! #dailydoseofcharleston

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