Architecture
My interest in
architecture stems from my study of Art throughout
secondary school and from my Fine Arts course which
followed after that. Although I appreciate classic design,
I prefer to be surrounded by organic shapes, curves in
particular, hence adding Wright to my list because of his
design for the Guggenheim Museum. Gaudi’s architecture
appeals to me on a very deep level. I would have
been extremely content living in the Art Nouveau period,
and in absolute heaven living in a place designed by
Gaudi!
My love for nature stems from growing up in
a country environment surrounded by natural bush. My father is
a carpenter by trade and built the house my parents still live
in (and have done so for over 40 years). His stone walls are
beautiful features in their house and our tree house was the
envy of all our friends.
The following list of architects is a brief
guide to my tastes:
-
15th century - Filippo Brunelleschi (Florence is my
favourite place in Italy)
-
17th century - Francesco Borromini &
Christopher Wren
-
19th century - Louis Sullivan
-
20th century - Antoni Gaudi & Le Corbusier
(& some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture).
From that list, my ABSOLUTE favourite in
EVERY respect is – GAUDI.
One of My favourite modern spaces is
Federation Square in Melbourne. I find the
design quite fascinating despite its overwhelming angular
presence.
And to give you an idea of the type of big
American design I like, the Pillow–Thompson House in Arkansas
is it:

I love the mystery of the curves and attic
windows and the asymmetry of the design which is based on
the 'Queen Ann' style. Fine in architecture but I can’t stand
Queen Anne style furniture - YUK!
Going back to organic form - for
example, I do like large natural beams or a single log used as
a feature in a room but I cannot stand the look of the
traditional American log cabin. To me that is too much of the
same. I love the old 14th-16th century thatched English
cottages (or longhouses). Their walls are not completely
vertical and often have curved nooks and crannies contained
within the building. I am not into huge mansions which tend to
feel cold and impersonal. I much prefer cosy and comfortable
but not dark and dingy. The thing which appeals to me about the
Queen Ann style architecture in America is that they are large
houses which look compact and cosy. Some Queen Ann styles can
be dark, heavy, foreboding and depressing - these are
mainly the brick ones - and they are the ones I DON'T like.
It is interesting how one’s aesthetic taste
develops and mine is certainly eclectic.
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