World renowned architect Lou Kahn, called buildings “clothing for people and institutions.” So why are we all arriving at the party wearing the same outfits? The forces of business, economics and the marketplace have combined to alter the public understanding of the role of buildings within the cultural landscape of our times. Building as commodity has produced what Charles Moore called a “bland and undifferentiated geography”. Navigating through life in the twenty-first century is made less interesting, less enjoyable and a lot more confusing because the communities where we live, the places where we work and the houses we choose to shelter our families could be anywhere. You need a GPS to know whether you are in Portsmouth, Peoria or Petaluma. The changing economics of building in the new millenium create an ideal moment in time to reconsider the way we evaluate and ultimately inhabit the built environment.
At studioB-E we believe there are antidotes to this "architecture of anywhere". Our interest and experience has allowed us to develop an understanding of the role of architecture within the larger cultural landscape. We strive to produce buildings that are conceived as places rather than objects, part of a larger social and cultural context rather than market commodities or diverting works of art. We believe that the best buildings reveal something of the nature of the people and institutions that commission them, so we carefully create environments that gracefully reflect the identity, goals and aspirations of the patrons who commission them because each client and each site is unique.
Knowing that the act of building by its very nature consumes great amounts of resources, we believe that with elegant design, creative thinking and careful construction, buildings can be made to consume less and last longer. But we don't believe in puffing out our chests for being "green" or "designing by the numbers" to meet a standard that may not meet our clients needs or site. We think the best way to build sustainably is to create buildings whose timeless beauty resonates for generations. We take great care when designing buildings; hoping to create environments our clients will care deeply enough about to lovingly maintain well into the future.
At studioB-E we believe there are antidotes to this "architecture of anywhere". Our interest and experience has allowed us to develop an understanding of the role of architecture within the larger cultural landscape. We strive to produce buildings that are conceived as places rather than objects, part of a larger social and cultural context rather than market commodities or diverting works of art. We believe that the best buildings reveal something of the nature of the people and institutions that commission them, so we carefully create environments that gracefully reflect the identity, goals and aspirations of the patrons who commission them because each client and each site is unique.
Knowing that the act of building by its very nature consumes great amounts of resources, we believe that with elegant design, creative thinking and careful construction, buildings can be made to consume less and last longer. But we don't believe in puffing out our chests for being "green" or "designing by the numbers" to meet a standard that may not meet our clients needs or site. We think the best way to build sustainably is to create buildings whose timeless beauty resonates for generations. We take great care when designing buildings; hoping to create environments our clients will care deeply enough about to lovingly maintain well into the future.