ARCHITECTURE
"Architecture must seek to acheive harmony between the man-made and the natural environment"
Architecture, for many, is nothing more than the marriage of form and function. The basic utilitarian planning for the addressing of current needs as are defined by purely economic projections. This is an unfortunate position as it dramatically limits the capacity of perhaps the most significant of human expressions. Architecture provides a sense of place and defines the very interior and exterior spaces we occupy. Unlike other artistic endeavors, Architecture has the acute mandate of supporting and facilitating all manner of human activity while promoting health and well-being and while enriching lives aesthetically and perhaps spiritually. Paramount to this, Architecture must seek to achieve harmony between the man made and the natural environment while reflecting our cultures, our traditions, and our history and while creating the legacy and permanence that will come to symbolize our heritage. When you consider this it becomes evident that nothing should just be built and that each development is an opportunity to make a an impact, an improvement and a difference.
Architecture, by definition, is the integration of inspiration, of design, and of meaning, with the physical components of a structure so as to form a functional whole. It is the ability to transform, wood, stone, concrete, and glass in a manner that creates the spaces where life unfolds. While, this might seem somewhat fanciful, in basic terms, the mandate remains the addressing of needs according to a given set of constraints, however, the value of true Architecture lies in how the requirements asked of any development are actually addressed given the conditions imposed on the process. It
is therefore the creativity, the vision, and the meaningfulness that define the outcome. Well built does not mean well designed nor does it mean that the building will in fact perform according to the demands placed against it. It certainly does not mean that the outcome reflects the best possible choice, for the long term. And herein lies the issue.
Too much have we fallen into the trap of building simply for the now, producing structures and spaces that usher in obsolescence at a tremendous pace and are effectively a copy-pasting of antiquated formulas that are no longer relevant or applicable. In effect, we have removed Architecture from the equation and in so doing, we are ensuring that our legacy will ultimately be replaced by meaningless structures, void of any significance or appeal. Moreover, by taking the craft out of the equation, we are progressively shifting the economic burden that these poorly conceived buildings will come to impose on those living in them or those forced to inherit the problems they cause.
At Renwick, we see Architecture as a passion and recognize the enormous role it plays in defining our lives. We appreciate Architecture as having paramount importance in the development of our urban and even suburban landscapes. Whether related to the preservation and restoration of historic buildings, or the careful matching of current and long term needs with meaningful design, we strive for the development of buildings and of spaces that will enhance our communities and our environments. Central to this is a deep respect for how we work, how we live and how we spend time with those important to us
