“Form Follows Function”

The other day we missed out on a commission  because the  projects  shown on our website and some past projects in our portfolio were not the  “style” the client was looking for and they weren’t confident that we could deliver the type of design they were looking for.

I believe Custom Design is a very individual process. Each and every  project has it’s own set of  design criteria. At SCDD we don’t focus on a particular  “Look” or “Style”. Some designers  trade on the back of a particular style and  consumers may look to purchase that particular look. Much like a brand name. Someone may pay  twice the price for an item based in the brand name. But we prefer to work with our individual clients and find out what they really like and require.

The first stage in our custom design stage is to find out what our clients want. What is it they want to achieve and what is the most important factors in the  end product? What factors  may affect the design outcomes. Each client have they’re on likes and dislikes. These often do not  necessarily appeal to me or often the partner of the client!! 

Falling Water Designed 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright

From the very beginnings of my career as a Designer I have  been inspired by the famous American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright and have been fortunate enough to visit his studio Taliesin in Spring Green Wisconsin and the Guggenheim Museum in New York.  Both incredible buildings in their own right. But for me the stand out  was he Kaufman House or “Falling Water” designed in 1935.  Mr Wright coined the phrase  “Form Follows Function”  Which I would say has been my own design philosophy.

So many factors can influence the design of a new home / building. Each has its own set of constraints of which there are two types. Negotiable and Non-Negotiable. 

  • Negotiable constraints being colour preferences, Roof types, styles, and materials. Sometimes the budget can be one of those  as well.
  • Non Negotiable constraints are  things like Regulations,Budget in this case may be non – negotiable. Topography, and natural features. Generally things that must be designed around.

When the function of the building is defined we can then work on what it should look like. The form. This can involve aspects such as colour, texture, shape and form. Does the  building look balanced? etc. Does it fit in with its environment well. 

Should the design process be followed  correctly then a successful outcome can be achieved in all aspects. Which is the key to  “sustainable design”.

  • Cost effective
  • Socially acceptable
  • Ecological Sustainability
So when considering a designer for you new home or  commercial building  try not to focus on a particular  “look” or whether you feel the designer will reproduce something you have seen and liked. The  form of the building is only a small percentage of the whole package. Your designer  will consider  many other aspects that make a house a  “home”.  The pretty looks and colours will be added  at the end. Then you will have a home that suits your lifestyle and  looks great!!!        Remember that a style one person likes may be the wost  example of bad taste to another.  🙂

Someone Loves It !!