I write here fairly often, but my main job is with the bosses over at www.theplancollection.com, where I answer questions about residential design and construction. I received an interesting email the other day. It was a slightly critical young man who claimed that all the designs on our website were “old school†and that he was aspiring to be a professional home designer of the future. He then went on to denounce boxy design and spoke of fifteen sided triangles and gothic/art nouveau themes. I emailed him back a few times and the conversation we had was quite silly, but it got me thinking. What will the residential shape of the future be?
First I found myself asking, what’s wrong with a square? It’s a very space efficient and economically efficient building model. It works structurally and most building materials are adapted to its rigid nature. Is it boring? I definitely can be. I decided it was also quite conventional and not often flexible enough. I then remembered the geodesic dome. Yes, that’s the one, with a do-it-yourself kit and triangular skylights. The dome performs very well structurally and is potentially more energy efficient. Is that the proper shape of the future? The moment I started thinking of Star Wars and geeking out, I knew I was in trouble.
Predicting the shape of the future has its problems. First of all, there is a lot of conflict between modernist designs and the historic and traditional pieces of the past. While the media praises new projects and their creativity, many feel that these spaces are uncomfortable and unwelcoming. I read some great criticism to the U+A house by Atelier Tekuto that said it offered no real storage space, resulting in a cluttered lifestyle (even with those pristine photos?). How can you predict how much tension a certain design is going to receive? How can you justify moving away from economical means of building just because odd shapes look cool? Frank Ghery has.
I’m excited to see how the built environment takes shape, both physically and otherwise. I’m relieved to know that there are some amazing architects and designers out there, and that consumers are demanding more from them. However, while I look forward to innovations and new possibilities, I don’t know if I want a 15 sided triangle.
