The Challenge of Balance
By Fran Albis, AIA and Richard Turlington, AIA
By Fran Albis, AIA and Richard Turlington, AIA
Balance issues color every project; it is our calling to evaluate them in terms of overall project objectives and integrate them as appropriate into an outstanding, unique solution.
One of the key concepts we encounter in architecture and design projects is that of Balance. Balance - perfect harmony between competitive issues that each affect the execution of our projects in its own way - is important yet different for each project. Projects vary considerably; each presents its own particular mix of these competing forces. Our challenge and great satisfaction is to understood and carefully manage them within the context of the project as a whole.
What are these forces? You'll recognize their importance as soon as you see them: technology vs. art, functional efficiency vs. total design freedom and creativity vs. the realities of budgets to name just three.
Technology vs. Art
Our ultimate goal with each project is to create art - a physical building or space with intangible artistic appeal. Our tools, however, are based on technology - building construction systems, structural sciences, nuts & bolts, bricks. Itšs a conundrum: how to create art that will touch our souls with the bloodless tools of construction. We solve it by harnessing their not-apparent flexibility, and controlling their power. We believe our detailed understanding of these pieces of equipment and their underlying technology allows us their artful manipulation. We also believe that such artful manipulation adds luster to - and is integral to - our expertise.
Functional Efficiency vs. Total Design Freedom
Functional efficiency always affects design. In the world of commercial design, therešs even a sub-industry that teaches that good design begets happier, more efficient employees, and thus begets higher productivity and profits. Balancing design and functionality works well when approached on a decision-at-a-time basis, as the design takes shape. At ATA, our top-flight design comes not from a blank slate of instructions, but in connecting functional dictates of the space to comfortable, innovative planning.
Creativity vs. the Realities Of Budgets
Rare is the project that arrives with no budget constraints! We rather enjoy the challenge a well-thought-out budget presents, because we know fabulous design is not necessarily dependent on money - it depends on choices. And at ATA, our experience, instinct and education have helped us make the right choices for our clients for a long time.
Other realities enter the picture too - for example schedules, building codes, ADA requirements and other legal considerations. In an ideal world, we would just go out and create. But in this real world, we acknowledge and respect these realities as surmountable issues.
One of the key concepts we encounter in architecture and design projects is that of Balance. Balance - perfect harmony between competitive issues that each affect the execution of our projects in its own way - is important yet different for each project. Projects vary considerably; each presents its own particular mix of these competing forces. Our challenge and great satisfaction is to understood and carefully manage them within the context of the project as a whole.
What are these forces? You'll recognize their importance as soon as you see them: technology vs. art, functional efficiency vs. total design freedom and creativity vs. the realities of budgets to name just three.
Technology vs. Art
Our ultimate goal with each project is to create art - a physical building or space with intangible artistic appeal. Our tools, however, are based on technology - building construction systems, structural sciences, nuts & bolts, bricks. Itšs a conundrum: how to create art that will touch our souls with the bloodless tools of construction. We solve it by harnessing their not-apparent flexibility, and controlling their power. We believe our detailed understanding of these pieces of equipment and their underlying technology allows us their artful manipulation. We also believe that such artful manipulation adds luster to - and is integral to - our expertise.
Functional Efficiency vs. Total Design Freedom
Functional efficiency always affects design. In the world of commercial design, therešs even a sub-industry that teaches that good design begets happier, more efficient employees, and thus begets higher productivity and profits. Balancing design and functionality works well when approached on a decision-at-a-time basis, as the design takes shape. At ATA, our top-flight design comes not from a blank slate of instructions, but in connecting functional dictates of the space to comfortable, innovative planning.
Creativity vs. the Realities Of Budgets
Rare is the project that arrives with no budget constraints! We rather enjoy the challenge a well-thought-out budget presents, because we know fabulous design is not necessarily dependent on money - it depends on choices. And at ATA, our experience, instinct and education have helped us make the right choices for our clients for a long time.
Other realities enter the picture too - for example schedules, building codes, ADA requirements and other legal considerations. In an ideal world, we would just go out and create. But in this real world, we acknowledge and respect these realities as surmountable issues.