HUNGRY, Happy, Sleepy

BENEATH THE SURFACE IN MOROCCO

2008-04-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Morocco is a great example of how culture can inform architecture. The Moroccans live an interesting and admirable way of life. Given that it is a Islamic society its culture is governed by set laws. The importance of Islam in the daily life of Moroccans is very evident throught the emence detail and ornamentation of Islam symbols in the architecture. Privacy is a large factor in the Islamic way of life and it is extremely intresting how this affects or inspires the architecture. On the surface, when looking at Morocco, one will see and never ending skyline of sand brown buildiungs that look in a state of decay. However, upon further exploration, one can see that the homes have interior courtyards that are patterned with intricate detail and beautiful materials. The homes have very little windows to the outside, one for privacy, and two it inspires a seperation between sacred and profane and focus on ones inward self. These courtyards are like hidden jewels of the city and they are not flaunted, one would never knew they exsisted walking on the street. Humility is another attribute of the Islamic culture. Never outwardly proud, but proud none the less.

MY INSPIRATION

2008-03-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have also been inspired throughout my travels in Spain. Some much so that I have kept a separate sketchbook of things that have inspired me artistically. I find it useful to record things that inspire you whatever they maybe and in which ever medium. Being in a new culture and that seeing new things all the time has had my mind stirring, and I have come to the realization that inspiration can come from anywhere. Hopefully the inspiration that I have gain here in Spain and particularly in Barcelona will in form my architecture in the future, whether consciously or subconsciously.

GAUDI

2008-03-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

Over springbreak, while serving as tour guide for my friends, I got the chance to see Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and park Guell. It is interesting to see the many different inspirations that influenced the work of Gaudi. He took inspiration from nature, such as the shape of a tree or the way a leaf bends. He also used science to inform he's designs. Although he was not a fan of mathmatics, he still used his own methods of inverted string models to figure out the structures necessary. Gaudi's structures are very organic and it is very apparent that he took a lot of inspiration from his surroundings. It is also interesting that Gaudi also did his own artistic drawings. Its seems that having artistic sensiblities helps draw inspirations from different surroundings and working in a different style and medium crosses over into your design mind. This crossover creates more complex and interesting design decisions.

INISPIRATION & EXPRESSION IN ART AND ARCHITECTURE

2008-03-11T11:58:00.000-07:00

Knowing what inspires ones artistict endevours can be a very informative investigation. It is one thing to appreciate a peice of art or a building for its appearance on the surface and not know what is the driving force behind what it is. Artists are inspired by there surroundings at all levels of composition, whether it is a composition of graffiti on a wall, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia or Gerhy's Fish. Just being emersed in new culture and visiting impressive pieces of archtecture has inspired me architecturally and artisticly. I look forward to investigating different forms of expression around the city and understanding where it comes from and/or its implication on the urban fabric it comes from.

HUNGRY, Happy, Sleepy

2008-01-21T03:36:00.000-08:00

Pita Kababs and more to come....

Motives and Thoughts

"There is always music
amongst the trees in the
garden, but our hearts must
be quiet to hear it."