Whether your interests or skills lend themselves to design or technology, I think it is safe to say that creativity plays a role in the day-to-day experience of an architect. Sometimes you aren’t feeling it and the ideas don’t flow – which is bad. Sometimes the ideas are flowing too much, which can be worse. Either way you have to start somewhere. Welcome to EP 153: Inspiration
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Today Andrew and I are talking about inspiration – what is it, how does it manifest, can you fabricate or force it into existence? It’s not always easy to find, especially when you go looking for it. We just got back from the AIA Conference on Architecture that took place in Washington DC and what we want to get out of a trip like this led to a discussion on inspiration.
So what is it and where can you find it? Inspiration allows architects to break free from traditional constraints and explore a wide range of ideas. It encourages us to think beyond the immediate and the obvious, considering alternative approaches that might not be immediately apparent. This openness to new ideas is essential for developing unique and impactful architectural designs.
Where Do You Find It? jump to 12:38
Architects draw inspiration from a variety of sources. By looking at the work of other designers, we can learn from their successes and challenges, adapting their techniques to suit our own projects. Traveling to new places exposes us to different cultures, styles, and environments, broadening our design vocabulary. Attending conferences and seminars provides a platform to engage with peers, share knowledge, and see how others have tackled similar problems. These experiences enrich our creative toolkit, allowing us to approach design challenges with a well-rounded perspective.
Seeing the work of others – For an architect (or designer) this is an obvious one. I will admit that I get more out of seeing a project in person than I do flipping through the pages of a book but there is an impact there either way. The one thing about this category that I wish I could escape is that the better the work I am looking at, and the more inspired I become, the worse I feel about myself.
Travel – Seeing other cultures and how people solve similar problems in different ways is incredibly illuminating. It doesn’t even have to be big gestures, or even architecture for that matter. There is a certain mind-expanding experience when you immerse yourself into something different that what you expect. Things that you’ve stopped seeing or experiencing in your day-to-day existence are suddenly pushed front and center.
Art and Design – Excluding architecture, Museums, galleries, and exhibitions are treasure troves of inspiration. Viewing paintings, sculptures, installations, and other forms of art can trigger new ideas and creative approaches. Analyzing the work of other designers, whether in fashion, graphic design, or industrial design, can also offer valuable insights and inspiration. During our trip to Washington, Andrew and I took one morning made the 1-hour drive out to Glenstone to take a look at the Thomas Phifer pavilions. (Crane photo) The name of the audio installation mentioned in the podcast was the “1,000 Year Forest” by Cardiff and Miller.
Books – For me, books are more inspirational where it comes to my personal behavior and activities. I will readily admit that I don’t read as many architecture books as I used to … maybe that is because images and projects are readily available online and my visual appetite is satisfied by platforms like Instagram. I spend more of my time and book money reading about things that help me fill in knowledge gaps – business, leadership, running a business, biographies, etc. Andrew still reads theoretical architecture books but I would imagine that is because he spends most of his time in an academic environment and he is in a more bleeding edge environment than I am.
Conventions/Conferences – Sometimes it’s a shift in mindset and you become open to looking for inspiration in things you might not normally consider. When I started writing Life of an Architect and I was coming up with 2 topics a week for discussion, I was constantly on the lookout for things to talk about and that process fundamentally changed how I moved through my day.
Convention Expanded jump to 40:34
Between Andrew and myself, we have been to approximately 25 National conventions over the last 15 years. This is both a good and bad thing as we know what to to look for and what avoid, but sometimes things can get a little stale and repetitive.
Location – for me, location of the convention matters a lot. Since I work in a large enough firm, I have endless access to the required continuing education requirements associated with keeping my license. As a result, I go to convention for reasons other than seminars. Among the largest considerations for attendance is the location of the conference and I have a strong affinity for the older and larger cities like Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Chicago.
Events – Most of the events I attend happen in the evenings after official conference activities are concluded for the day. It is not uncommon that I will have 3+ destinations each evening. Alumni events, dinners with distant friends, and networking events typically keep me on my toes and in a week long state of sleep deprivation.
Expo – The expo floor, for those that have never experienced it, takes place in the convention hall is is hundreds of material, product, and service providers all grouped together into row upon row of 10’x10′ (and larger) footprints where you can look at their products and have a conversation with knowledgeable representatives from that company capable of breaking down anything you would most likely want to know. It is a valuable way to spend a day as an architect and is one of my most favorite things to do at the conference.
Favorite thing about the convention? Given that the events are typically the same sort of thing regardless of the conference, the host city tends to figure into the answer to this particular question. Most often there are amazing behind-the-scenes tours of projects that grant you access in a way not typically available. Spending time in downtown Washington area always means time spent walking the Mall and looking at the Capitol Building, White House, museums and monuments. Since my days are pretty full, most evenings, and this was almost always LATE evening, Andrew and I covered a lot of ground in our evenings and this was accommodated by riding scooters that are available to rent. If you look in the gallery I have attached down below, you will find evidence of the destinations we visited as well as a GPS map of the path we took one night … there might be some evidence of us not knowing where we were going from time to time.
The Importance of Inspiration jump to 53:24
In the field of architecture, inspiration is incredibly important. It drives creativity and innovation, which are essential for developing spaces that meet the evolving needs of society. As architects, our role is not just to design buildings but to create environments that enhance the quality of life for those who inhabit them. This requires a deep understanding of both functional and aesthetic considerations, which can only be achieved through a continual influx of fresh ideas and perspectives.
Inspiration is a cornerstone of the architectural creative process. It enables us to think creatively, learn from diverse sources, and continuously improve our designs. By embracing inspiration, architects can contribute to the growth and evolution of society, creating spaces that are not only functional but also enriching and inspiring.
What’s the Rank jump to 54:45
Two episodes in a row and and we are revisiting a “What’s the Rank?” again. Today’s question came from Andrew which means I have to choose my answers first … which also means that Andrew gets to make fun of my answers.
What are the Three worst summertime cookout foods?
| #3 | #2 | #1 | |
| Bob’s Worst Sumer time Cookout Foods | Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns | 5 Bean Salad | Macaroni Salad |
| Andrew’s Worst Sumer time Cookout Foods | Ice Cream Cakes | Jell-O /Jell-O Salads (of any kind) | Ambrosia Salad |
Andrew came up with more reasonable choices than I did and had I thought of Jell-O salads they would have made my list as well. Will people come at me for putting sesame seed hamburger buns on my list? Sure – and I probably deserve it.
*we talked about “wax beans” and I am wondering how these things were allowed to evolve. If you like wax beans please let me know so I can block you on social media.
Ep 153: Inspiration
Inspiration is not just about generating ideas; it’s about fostering continuous evolution and growth. For society to progress, architects must constantly evaluate their thought processes and the ways in which they solve problems. By staying inspired, we can build upon past ideas and solutions, integrating new information and perspectives to create more advanced and effective designs. This iterative process ensures that our work remains relevant and forward-thinking, contributing to the ongoing development of our built environment.
The more I’ve thought on this topic, the more I believe inspiration has more to do with having an open mind and being receptive to thinking through what is right in front of you.
Cheers,
Special thanks to today’s sponsor Construction Specialties – they are so focused on the importance of mastering movement, that they have created CEUs specifically on mastering movement. Each course is worth 1 AIA LU/HSW and is part of the Mastering Movement Academy by CS. Visit masteringmovement.net to take this and other courses.