#designphilosophy

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Welcome to the world of The Aesthetic Architect, a realm dedicated to the meticulous crafting of visual harmony, thoughtful composition, and timeless beauty. This design philosophy champions the core principles of aesthetics: the deliberate creation and profound appreciation of beauty in all its forms.At its heart, this style emphasizes visual harmony and balanced compositions, exploring the…

Contrasting Comfort: The Ideological Chairs of Mies van der Rohe and Gerrit Rietveld

Mies van der Rohe and Gerrit Rietveld were influential architects whose philosophies and designs epitomize contrasting ideologies within modernist architecture. While both sought simplicity and functionality in their work, their approaches diverged in their interpretation of comfort, aesthetics, and the relationship between architecture and the individual.

Mies van der Rohe, known for his famous Barcelona Chair, embraced the mantra of "less is more" and prioritized clean lines, open spaces, and industrial materials. His designs, influenced by the principles of Russian Constructivism, aimed for efficiency and minimalism. The Barcelona Chair, with its sleek lines and luxurious comfort, embodies Mies' philosophy of modernism, where form follows function, and every element serves a purpose. It reflects his belief that true comfort arises from simplicity and clarity in design.

On the other hand, Gerrit Rietveld, exemplified by his Red and Blue Chair, challenged conventional notions of comfort and aesthetics. As a member of the De Stijl movement, Rietveld advocated for pure abstraction and universality in design, reducing compositions to geometric forms and primary colors. The Red and Blue Chair, with its hard surfaces and bold colors, defied traditional notions of comfort, inviting the sitter to engage with space, color, and form. Rietveld's philosophy emphasized the awakening of consciousness and the integration of art into everyday life.

In comparing the two chairs, the Barcelona Chair represents a sleek and luxurious approach to comfort, prioritizing relaxation and ease, while the Red and Blue Chair challenges the sitter to be alert and engaged, emphasizing the relationship between the individual and the environment. Mies' philosophy of "less is more" contrasts with Rietveld's belief in the dynamic equilibrium of opposites, reflecting differing attitudes towards simplicity, comfort, and the role of architecture in shaping human experience.

I think the 5e DM guide rules about crafting poisons and potions are waaaay too complicated and restrictive to use on the fly. Here’s what I do in three simple pages:

What sets one beautiful room apart from the rest? It’s certainly not a collection of the most expensive brand-name items, nor does it have much to do with grandness by its sole virtue. 

I know it to be far more subliminal than that. Beauty resides in the accumulated details; the character builders that appear almost as natural occurrences simply and purely because they are conceived through the emotion of the space. No formulas.

This doesn’t mean that the design directive is without thoughtfulness or intention and rather the approach is quite the opposite. The components are carefully united with a strong notion and an understanding of the desired end-result allowing us to add a bit of this and that along the way. As a whole, it simply feels right…and it’s wonderfully free-spirited. 

Let me show you some of the character details we designed into the dining room of our latest completed home.  

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

These lovely orchids and calla lilies perform in a grouping of clear cylinder vases as one of those perfect-touch moments during a recent photo shoot. The bright green stems and delicate white and purple blooms turn randomly and almost  intuitively it seems, to a powerful gallery-art backdrop.

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

But not every detail makes its statement through colour and movement. Some simply sit back gracefully and draw a seamless connection with the character of the architecture. Satin silk drapery panels that are both tailored and luxe in quality coexist beautifully with the body of this timeless space. They frame a large window and together with an inset of modern tassel trim, the treatment offers beautiful soft structure. 

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

I love to build character around a strong, classically-driven envelope. Whether traditional or contemporary, this anatomy is always present in our spaces. 

There is nothing quite more impactful within the architectural framework than a unique and one-off ceiling detail in plasterwork.

We designed this one to connect with several details in the home, harmonizing with well-defined room openings and stepped wall panels. In the dining room the graphic ceiling tracery takes on a sculptural role when light and shadow play on its crisp profiles. It’s a dynamic and refined statement. 

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

Lighting is the jewelry of the room and often it’s the hinge. This contemporary version of a majestic crystal chandelier is no exception. At 72″ inches long, it’s a commanding piece and inhabits the space with sweeping bevelled crystal arms that look like wings in flight. 

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

I instantly fell in love with the simplicity and elegance of these gold and silver taper holders. As an ensemble, they present like sculpture that seems a natural extension of the art and vice versa. I suspect that each struck the right chord because they harmonized effortlessly. 

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.

The rhythm is so clear in this space. The succession of artistic bowls that spread over the long console are a simple part of the symphony as are the more grounding elements such as the solid walnut table providing structure for the delicate items that play on its surface. A spirited Diptych by Canadian artist, Julie Cosgrove, anchors the entire room with its fluid strokes of vivid pastel. As a commission that was brought in as the final powerful element, it truly speaks to the emotion of this space. 

Contemporary Manor - Regina Sturrock Design Inc.