Site Logo

Life of an Architect

  • Podcast
  • about me
  • Questions / Contact
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Architecture Books+
You are here: Home / ArchiTalks / Architectural Storytelling – It’s My Thing

Architectural Storytelling – It’s My Thing

October 9, 2014 by Bob Borson 17 Comments

Architects are natural storytellers – it’s a process that is inherently built into our creative process and when used properly, it’s one of the very best tools in our tool bag.

Architectural storytelling

Part of the reason architects are such good storytellers is that they frequently develop a narrative to help guide them through the design process. It’s not that much different from “Method Acting”, a technique that combines an actor’s interpretation of their character’s psychological motives and personality traits with their own personal experiences and memories in an attempt to create a more life-like performance.

Whoa [mind blown] .. that’s what I do every day!

When I sit down at my desk to start the design process, particularly when I am working on a residential project, I take everything I know about the people I am working for and I develop narratives to help guide me through a pattern of their behavior so that I can design a house that suits their needs, not one that suits MY needs. That distinction is what technically makes me a professional. When we get a new client or project, one of the first things we do is try and find out who they are and what they want.

This is the most important step in the initial design process.

The other way that architects are great storytellers, is that we develop these narratives as a mechanism to educate someone on our thought process. Since a lot of what architects do is esoteric, being able to articulate my reasons for solving a problem in a particular way – without being condescending – is an important skill. I need to walk people through my design process in a way that they can understand the end result in a more appreciative manner – it works way better than telling someone:

“I’m the professional here, just do what I’m telling you to do.”
[Career tip: Don’t do that.]

The way I do this in meetings with the client, is that I use my sense of humor – or at least what I think is my sense of humor. I put myself into the role of the end user and imagine them using the space in a particular manner. I use that same technique on this site all the time. I thought I would collect some of the very best examples of “storytelling” from past articles on my site and put them all here for your perusal. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence – and I don’t think that it is – but these are some of my most favorite posts.

guy holding flowers

 

Sshh! … I have a new girlfriend

I have a new girlfriend … Well, I think she’s a girl. We are in love and it’s awesome! I’m getting to do all sorts of things I’ve never been able to do before…

.

This really make my face hurt

This Really Make my Face Hurt

Sometimes things don’t work out right and in construction, this is a bad thing. Look at what happens when things go wrong.

.

Hatchet Bedrooms from Life of an Architect

Hatchet Bedrooms

A good designer considers furniture placement in their designs, because if they don’t, you might get yourself what I like to call “a hatchet bedroom.”

.

My secret life as a "Hooker-Architect" by Life of an Architect

My Secret Life as a “Hooker-Architect”

Architects have done many things they’re not proud of … but I’m try to get some help.

.

Residential Drainage

Holy Moly! Do you see that guy all bent over with the shovel?!? That could have been ME! In an effort to edumacate you (the reader) – let’s take a closer look at what’s happening using a special filter on my camera (it’s called the “Pain-o-meter” filter if you’re interested in picking one up)

.

Golden Handcuffs

Golden Handcuffs

I was a little surprised to discover that despite having told almost every conceivable work related story I know on this blog, somehow my “Golden Handcuffs” story apparently hadn’t made the cut – and this is one of my better stories. Never take a job just for the money …


The difference in the creative process is the narrative, or the art of telling a compelling story. It starts with the story the clients bring to me in the beginning, and my eventual interpretation of how to effectively communicate that story back to them in a new setting. That’s why every project is different (despite the same requirements) and why some architects are better than others.

Ka-Chopey!,

Bob-AIA scale figure


This was the third post in a series of posts called “ArchiTalks”. There are a few other architects who maintain blogs who were given todays topic “Architectural Storytelling” with very loose instructions as to what they are to talk about. We have all agreed to publish our responses on the same day – that way none of our articles will influence somebody else (as if)

If you would like to see how other architects responded to this topic, just follow the links below. As the links get sent to me, I will come back and add them to the list.


Marica McKeel – Studio MM
@ArchitectMM
Take the Time to Tell Your Story.


Matthew Stanfield – FiELD9: architecture
@FiELD9arch
Stories in Architecture


Jeff Echols – Architect Of The Internet
@Jeff_Echols
Architects can Improve their Marketing by Incorporating Storytelling


Lee Calisti, AIA – Think Architect
@LeeCalisti
architecture as storytelling


Mark R. LePage – Entrepreneur Architect
@EntreArchitect
AE048: Success Through Storytelling with Bob Fisher of DesignIntelligence


Evan Troxel – TRXL
@etroxel
It’s Their Story


Lora Teagarden – L² Design, LLC
@L2DesignLLC
Architectural Storytelling: The Legacy of Design


Collier Ward – Thousand Story Studio
@collier1960
Architecture and Storytelling are Forever Linked


Enoch Sears – Business of Architecture
@businessofarch
The Secret Ingredient To Convincing Anyone To Do (Almost) Anything“


Cormac Phalen – Cormac Phalen
@archy_type
The Generational Story – Architecture as Storytelling“


“Andrew Hawkins, AIA – Hawkins Architecture, Inc.
@hawkinsarch
Architectural Story Books“

even better stuff from Life of an Architect

052: Architectural Tools
'The FernHouse'
Ep 080: Is Architecture Art?
Top Kitchen Appliances for 2012
What do I think of the ADA....as an architect?
Ep 104: Conventions - The Best and Worst of Times
Drafts that might be "Better Left for Dead"
I studied Architecture in Europe
An Interview with Vasi Ypsilantis - Part One
How to be the best at what you do

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: ArchiTalks Tagged With: ArchiTalks

Search Life of an Architect

Trending on Life of an Architect

Architectural Graphics 101 - Symbols
Architectural Graphics 101: Finish Schedules
Ep 121: Material Selection
Architectural Graphics 101 - Window Schedules
Architectural Graphics 101: Cover Sheet
Architectural Graphics 101 - Wall Types
Architectural Graphics 101 - Title Blocks
Architectural Graphics 101 - Line Weight
Architectural Graphics 101 - Reflected Ceiling Plans
Graphic Standards for Architectural Cabinetry

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyAndroidiHeartRadioby EmailTuneInRSS

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Apparel for Architects

T-Shirts for Architects - Bob Borson

Support for Advice or Guidance

Thanks!
Other Amount:
Project Reference or Support for Questions Answered:

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Architecture Books+
  • about me
  • Questions?
  • F. A. Q.
  • Do you want to be an Architect?
  • Podcast

Life of an Architect | Bob Borson

  • View lifeofanarchitect’s profile on Facebook
  • View bobborson’s profile on Twitter
  • View bobborson’s profile on Instagram
  • View bborson’s profile on LinkedIn

Archives of Awesomeness

Copyright © 2023 Life of an Architect

 

Loading Comments...