Using Materials to tell a Story (An Architectural Essay)

Meaningful architecture, for me, always relays a story. It’s fundamental that it conveys something about a place, a specific time, a person or a family. It must have an opinion, an attitude. Architecture doesn’t have to be an explicit rendering of that idea; rather it can be discovered over time while living in a structure or just by knowing a little more today than yesterday.

My personal design process always begins with my asking the question, “What is the story I’m trying to tell?” Architecture can convey historical ideas, ideas about craft, personal tastes, an attitude toward light (or dark), the forest canopy, a city skyline. This seed of an idea can become the design engine for the project, a reference point for decisions made along the way. Most architects refer to this as a parti, but the term is far less important than the actual concept. One of the most basic and accessible means of conveying this idea is through the use of material.
In this video I use three materials: stone, wood and concrete to illustrate how materials can imbue architecture with meaning, both implicit and explicit.

Featured Architects:
Peter Zumthor
Ensamble Studio
Tadao Ando
Zone 4 Architects, LLC
Michael Ryan Architects
Sage Modern
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
E. Cobb Architects
Cornerstone Architects
Mell Lawrence Architects
Renzo J. Nakata Architects
Bluetime Collaborative
Augustus Jones
AR Design Studio Ltd.
Kate Johns

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Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
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[thakurshouryapratapsingh]

Im Great admirer of Stone houses & of course exquisite masonry...
I love how everyday walking up to beautifully laid stones will reminde u that how much effort, time, love, craftsmanship has hone into making ur dream home...
Also stone houses has a sense of Permanence (Forever feel), Safety, stability, architechtural taste, & Great Warmth while they can look most modern or Rustic, classy at the same time!
I love how it signifies my appreciation for workmanship, & exclusivity as literally NO other Building in the world can have the same Pattern of the stone laying as U have...
Just like our finger prints the pattern becomes finger print of the house...
Its admirable how stone vindicates our history from where we started as cavemen to all the modern advancements we now have... ♥️

[brucebrucestofiston]

I've been binge watching your channel. I just wanted to thank you for such a amazing, well thought out and produced series. Thank you

[howimade]

soooo imformative esp the way you narrate. simple straight to the point no distractions. why you only have 50k subs is beyond me. keep up the great work!

[RobinHood-hkdk]

Thanks Eric. As a Landcape Architectural Masters student, I found this discussion on Materials very insightful. It is essential to choose the appropriate Vernacular and Period materials that tell a story for a given project, particularly in my country, UK. We have such a varied regional history to preserve that reflects the local environment, its heritage and culture and protecting the natural habitat, its ecology and the wildlife who abide there.
The Built Environment is an integral part of the natural landscape so relying on the knowledge of local craftspeople is invaluable for a complimentary solution.

[f.azahraeousgougou]

I am a first year architecture student and I have an insatiable thirst to know and learn as much as possible. I have so many ideas but I need to learn how to translate them into technically understandable things

[aelshorbagy]

It is really an impressive presentation about the importance of communication between us, the users, and the building. Very well analysed and clearly presented.

[markmasi]

Another beautifully narrated facet of creating beautiful buildings. Really look forward to these. Thank you.

[krisschirmer-designerartis]

I LOVE THE EXAMPLES YOU PICKED! I LOVE YOUR WORK ... EDUCATING "LAY-PEOPLE" ABOUT THE WHY AND HOW IN ARCHITECTURE! CHEERS KRISTINA

[Woopy]

Old and NEW. Yes! Traditional and modern materials fused.
Brickwall interiors for the basement, inspired by bunkers. Perhaps retaining the car park slope or part of it, lay bricks and stones leading to the basement. Gives the feel of walking down into a dungeon.
Concrete wall on the second floor curving at the frontage. Wall art can be sculpted or installed/displayed at the sides facing road and the walkway towards 313.
The top rest of the building, maintaining the current width and height? so as not to lose sight of the curves of 313. To be modern in design.

[markscott]

Well Done, The Textured Concrete Section was excellent...thanks

[marshacreary]

I'm glad that addressed the fact that the use of materials can be subjective. As an architect do you spend a great deal of time listening to the client's needs for the space in relationship to the landscape surrounding the perspective home?

[craigkeller]

Just recently found your site. Outstanding work. Thank you!

[ShelterHelperDogs]

Your video's are so informative. Thank you. I watch during the day when I work from home in the hope that some of the information trickles into my brain :o)

[BaronVonSTFU]

The first house tells the story that "I like living in a tetris jail"

[Katsikokounelo]

Great content! Really enjoying your videos!

[brianeddy]

This is a beautiful piece. The information is high yield and I appreciate this very much.

[vtbakerbuilder]

I enjoy your videos very much. How about one on modern trim techniques or styles for the exterior of a building?
S.

[timurbayram]

can you please tell in next video about flooring in industrial and bauhaus design?

[Richardukable]

Hi Eric, great content, where do you get these great images from?

[kwostah]

Thank you for your super clean and informative videos, sir!

I've always imagined that stone/brick walls have a different "time look" than a concrete or plaster wall for example. I mean that when you look at a stone or brick or wall you can feel how it's been built stacking stones on top of each other or when you see a concrete or plaster wall there's no gradation, it's like made in 1 step. I don't know if I'm saying anything that makes sense but it does in my head. Materials have different time.... states..? I don't know I got confused.. :)