Sunday, March 1, 2009

Bart Prince


After finding Bart Prince in an book on organic architecture, I have scoured the internet looking for as much information that I can find on this architects work. I am simply amazed at his work - the way he uses the structure in order to create spaces within his homes, the materials he uses (wood, stone, water, steel), the way he works with the site - and pushed the envelope of what might be "acceptable."

Prince believes that first a designer must start with a good idea - based in imagination. Second, he believes that the architecture should create a quality of mystery - making the viewer wonder "how does this buildings structure work?" "what is the program?" Prince also believes that the structure should be exposed - rather than hiding it within walls.

One of his comments that had a lot of resonance with me was his comment that as an architect you can make a site more dramatic through the design of the architecture. If there is a pre-existing context - then change it!!
(This made me think to myself about the question that Herb posed to us in the first semester - as an architect, what would be your responsibility in design when creating a design for a row house on Mass. Ave. I laugh to think that Bart Prince would certainly not follow the context of the "historic" facades that currently exist.)

1 comment:

  1. that is amazing; the wave and staggered exposures of the cedar shingles on the stairway is simply gorgeous!

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