During this exercise I was reminded of the lifetimes of dedication which went into guiding our understanding of the world and how humans interact with it.

To dismiss the systems created by the great minds referred to in the course literature would be foolish. These systems are there to provide balance, harmony and pleasure.

Understanding the rules of aesthetics is crucial for designers, sticking to them is not. A designer might want to provide tension where balance and harmony would not work.  

Principles in aesthetic design are executed universally and thus I believe beauty is universally appreciated. There are of course designs which sit outside these principles, which some may consider ugly or unpleasing whilst others will gain interest, pleasure and intrigue in.

Looking into what creates atmosphere in buildings, I learned our culture, background and experiences influence our perception. I believe these foundations also affect what we believe to be ugly or beautiful, when the rules are not met.  

Beton brut, I can appreciate looks ugly, it is grey, raw and unfinished but understanding the value in ‘truth to materials’ I now appreciate the rawness tells a story, I can see how it was made, what it was made of and it’s imperfections – all of which there is beauty in.

Images

Dancing House. (2019). [image] At: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g274707-d4307513-Reviews-Tancici_dum-Prague_Bohemia.html#photos;aggregationId=&albumid=101&filter=7 (Accessed on 15.04.19)

P. Jephcott and H. Robinson, Homes in High Flats, (Oliver & Boyd: Edinburgh), 1971, Plate 16 (2019). Queen Elizabeth Square, Hutchesontown. [image] Available at: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/humanities/research/historyresearch/researchprojects/housingandwellbeing/hutchesontown/ (Accessed on 08.04.19)