The stereotypical architect is 'the boss' dictating the vision. Usually disregarding what the client wants. Often temperamental. Probably wearing black.
Fortunately, reality isn't always like that!
At Raise, we like to work as a team and that means that it doesn't matter who has the ideas that are eventually used on a project.
At a recent catch-up meeting, we asked everyone 'if you had the opportunity to influence the design of a future project, what would you do? What one thing would you bring to the project?'
“Living anywhere in the UK, and the North in particular, it seems there are fantastic examples of brick buildings around every corner. The vast majority of them were built by the Victorians, who had undoubtedly mastered the art of building in brick, from restrained simplicity to glorious excess. However this can make it difficult to use brick in a modern building without it becoming a pastiche.
But recently I’ve started noticing brick being used in a more innovative, modern way. Rather than using a complicated bond or incorporating terracotta blocks, architects have exploited the inherent qualities of the brick, such as it's texture to create different surface finishes. A subtle touch that exploits the qualities of bricks in new way.”- David
"For me, it's all about concrete. Despite its heavy nature, it is a beautiful and incredibly versatile material which can be adapted to suit any number of applications. There are many aspects to concrete which can be appreciated; the feel of the material, the light and shadow it creates, its raw quality and its lightness and delicacy." - Chloe
"I have always been fascinated by standing stones and stone circles. I think if you imagined yourself in pre-history and you came across a stone lying on the ground, you would want to stand it up, if you could. They're anthropomorphic. When there’s a group of them, it feels like there’s a conversation going on.
Introducing monolithic characteristics in to a building brings gravity and connects with these primitive qualities." - Andy
"I have always lived in period houses with ornate moulded boundaries between different planes – skirting boards, ceiling mouldings, door architraves etc.
I recently read an article written by an architect who claimed that we no longer need them to cover, neaten up the junctions between planes as we now have nice neat sheets of machine-cut plasterboard and metal edge beads for plaster. He says ‘We "trendy minimalist" architects have eliminated skirtings and architraves in favour of a small recessed "shadowgap" detail which neatly articulates the junction between wall and floor, making wall planes appear to "float" over continuous floor planes.’
It’s a detail in contemporary buildings that fascinates me. Who doesn’t love a shadow gap?" - Dawn
"Stairs can be tricky little beasts! But at the same time, a carefully designed stair with beautiful detailing can be a special addition to a house or building. So which are the tricky bits?
The handrail, in particular its termination at the bottom step or top of the landing . It should be something poetic, something that doesn’t just rudely stop or abut a wall. It should be elegant and thought provoking. I’m throwing down the gauntlet, and setting us the challenge to create beautiful stairs with beautiful handrails." - Julia
"Often overlooked, rarely considered and you never have enough of it. Storage.
Well maybe you do have enough of it, but do you have enough of the right type? Storage can be a run of the mill flat-pack shelving unit measured to fit that left over space you’ve been wanting to fill. But it can be so much more! If carefully considered, it can become the centrepiece of a room. It can create an opportunity for a wall to become animated and become an expression of its occupants." - Liam
"I’m keen that any building design has a clear form. I think people relate more readily to architecture that is clear and understandable. It connects to our desire to comprehend the world around us through geometric form – horizontals, verticals and surfaces that we ascribe meaning to through experiences we have had in life." - Randal
"I'm not sure how best to define it, but i've always been fascinated by small spaces. Not necessarily for their size, but for the innovation required to make best use of them. I love walls that fold down to create tables, partitions that move to reveal a different function behind, mezzanines to maximise the potential of tall spaces... the list goes on.
In a world where space comes at a premium, the need for carefully considered small spaces is only going to increase - and I want to be a part of it." - Adam