A Thread for Fine Design
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There is a line between fine design and good design, IMO fine design is aesthetically nice and good design is functionally good. I guess it all goes back to the old form vs function debates.
I often page through a Dwell magazine and I'm attracted to the wonderful lines, great reflective materials and minimalist scenes, but I would not live in such a place as it's probably cold, lacks cabinets, not functional.
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@pbacot said:
My iPad has a video function. This doesn't make me a filmmaker.
Even professional filmmakers can make a lot of fluff out of a couple usable facts. For example see the endless production of "history" shows that offer little to the text but some blurry clips of marching sandals--and draw-out a 5 minute read into half an hour.
There's a lot to be said for succinct text and still pictures on websites, along with an ergonomic structure.
But I think this thread is veering towards clever, odd, and unlikely design that is not always that fine. Media discussion would be a nice thread but where?
I know that I sometimes place things here to invite discussion and criticism, and frankly I would love to see more of that, which is why I appreciate your comments. I think I have mentioned that I believe one's perception of what is fine may lay in the eye of the beholder. An example is that I feel that Prince Charles and I would not necessarily eye to eye on architecture http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/5317802/The-Prince-of-Wales-on-architecture-his-10-monstrous-carbuncles.html
So I encourage people to post, but would really welcome critique and frank discussion.
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Peter, the link is fixed. Sorry bout that.
I think your use of "elegant solution" is is well put. And I am sure you know what it means to try and arrive at this solution recognizing the needs and wants of clients, the rules and regulations of local jurisdictions, and the fashion of the moment.
I have just had the occasion to be in discussion with a City Planner over a projects connection to the neighbourhood. I told him that if connection is truly desired, then it must be recognized how the greater neighbourhood was built out. There is a certain variety and resilience in traditional neighbourhoods, at least in North America, that developed through the emotional identity, artistic aspirations, pride, and sense of community, and craftsmanship of it’s residents.
Replacing that with the instant artificiality of modern development, that tends to rely on the trends of the architectural fashion, will only amount to a loss of this identity.
So can sensitive well executed design express this while at the same time being somehow fresh?
I think the best of Fine design can. -
@solo said:
There is a line between fine design and good design, IMO fine design is aesthetically nice and good design is functionally good. I guess it all goes back to the old form vs function debates.
I often page through a Dwell magazine and I'm attracted to the wonderful lines, great reflective materials and minimalist scenes, but I would not live in such a place as it's probably cold, lacks cabinets, not functional.
Pete, I was just looking, well actually marveling, at a picture of the interior of a "modern" home given to me by a client. It was as you described "wonderful lines, great reflective materials and minimalist scenes", and I really loved it, but, at the same time I just couldn't for the life of me picture a baby crawling on those reflective marble floors or flinging mushed peas around the kitchen, let alone the dining room. It looked as if it was intended to be looked at and appreciated, but not really lived in.
Given what you said about form and function, this would be Fine Design, and I think it was, but... -
Mayor, thanks for the link. In my country, people homes are big, ugly, inefficient in every aspect. People with money, of course.
It strikes me every time I read something like this:
"The house requires a heating system with an output of just 4 kW (the equivalent of a single radiator) for the entire 200 sqm house! Facit buildings are designed to be airtight, so as not to lose heat. This necessitates the implementation of a heat recovery system that draws in fresh air and expels stale air, while retaining the warmth."
And by the way....the houses are beautiful!
Cheers!
Stefan -
What interests me most about the FACIT crew is that they are a D&B firm. I think there is a lot of merit in these types of firms as they are able to see the job through from start to finish and of course include the client in each step along the way.
They must also develop good solid practical construction methods as it would not be the case of the designer just 'getting it right' on paper. In this case the fabricator would most definitely have his say on what works for him on site. The video also seems to get this message across quite well, this is what I read into areas anyway.
From what I gather these types of firms are common place in Scandinavia but again this does not surprise me as those guys often lead the way in many areas.
I suppose the only drawback for the client, if it could be construed as a drawback, is that a particular D&B firm might only concentrate on producing a particular design style range. But again, this could leave things open to various D&B firms offering a variety of design 'style' solutions. Everyone is not on the same hymn book, so to speak
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Wouldn't like those at all Pete. I like to eat eggs, not sit in them
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The GoCar concept by AS Design is a clever design but probably will never see the light of day.
On the other hand I think the Urban Arrow will see full production. Its not a new concept but a very clever adaptation of existing bike design configurations. Then again the Dutch are very much into their bikes.
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I really miss our Bakfiets... nothing better for kid / grocery / spouse hauling.
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A teaser for watkins post. Wow
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St Edmundsbury Cathedral vaulted ceiling; a more traditional approach:
http://www.frrarchitects.co.uk/news-story/bury-st-edmunds-cathedral-new-ceiling/
The videos are well worth watching as they describe the construction of the ceiling.
Regards,
Bob -
The Running Bike
Inspiration
After analysing the original running machine constructed by Karl Freiherr von Drais, the inventor of the velocipede that was basic to the bicycle, we liked to revive that principle. So we put some questions: “Does the running machine make any sense for adults nowadays? If yes, how and where could it be useful?” “How can we offer a certain amount of mobility to people, who are by any reason not able to ride a bike (or drive a car)?”
http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Projects/Project.aspx?ID=3167&RegionId=0&Winindex=5
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The guy demoing the running bike does not look confident to me. I could see people catching their feet in the rear wheel spokes also ...... and besides ....... he does look like a plonker shuffling along on it
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... another thing! I imagine it would be tricky getting up from a fall with that harness and it could do some damage to the 'crown jewels' into the bargain
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.... this guy has a 'death wish'
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Yes I confess, this had me a little concerned
Also, when he nearly terminates the little girl in the square
Also doesn't having pedals kind of put physics on your side?
The thing that interests me is that this is a student competition sponsored by James Dyson with reasonable prizes.
This one was probably more worthy of the Fine design designation http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/Projects/Project.aspx?ID=2946&RegionId=0&Winindex=0
But there was a bike theme going so.... -
guy who 'invented' this bike lives around the corner from me.
you use a running / walking motion with your legs. no circles.
up down up down up down.
really weird to see it go down the street.
seems really counter intuitive to me... but i like spinning, and feel its actually easier on the knees.
still has gears though, so you maintain some of the mechanical advantage of the modern bike.
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Ah, so it almost works like the Nordic Track exercise machine by the looks of it. That's quite cool.
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