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> But FIU's bridge was designed to mimic the dramatic look of a cable-stayed bridge, where the deck is suspended from cables fanning out from a tall mast. In FI
by abraae 8y ago
> But FIU's bridge was designed to mimic the dramatic look of a cable-stayed bridge, where the deck is suspended from cables fanning out from a tall mast. In FIGG's design, though, the "cables" — actually metal pipes — were mostly just for show. The diagonal, v-shaped struts of the truss did the structural work.
I've always found it useful to hone in on anything that is done purely for aesthetic reasons.
We build a house recently. I really wanted exposed rafters, there was some complexity around insulation, and the architect responded by proposing some "faux" rafters. The idea was so revolting that it prompted more examination, which identified some mistakes. In the end, a simpler, better, cheaper solution was found that did not have faux elements in it.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- crwalker 8y agoYes! Good thing you pushed back on the architect. I have a similar design philosophy that honesty is more aesthetically pleasing than deception. When designers resort to faux materials and structures, the truth still tends to peek through, resulting in an 'uncanny valley' of forms. For example: * Brickwork veneers bend in the wrong spots * Faux beams are placed in the wrong locations with the wrong joints, announcing that they can't bear a load There's certainly a place for decorative elements, just not decorative elements pretending to be something else. I spent several summers framing houses, so I'm looking forward to an opportunity to design my own house - and maybe 3D printing it.
- function_seven 8y agoThe worst example of this are those faux shutters that seem to outnumber real ones. They're rarely wide enough to actually cover the adjacent window! https://imgur.com/a/o9Nxx6c https://imgur.com/a/o9Nxx6c EDIT: Added examples of fake garage door handles and hinges. I'm seeing that a lot more and don't understand the point.
- seszett 8y agoWow, I had never seen this but that's impressive, I didn't even think this kind of thing could exist.
- workinthehead 8y agoThe brick house with the faux shutters is also using faux lintels -- the bricks are vertical but since there is no overlap and no arch they are providing no structural support.
- sangnoir 8y ago> I have a similar design philosophy that honesty is more aesthetically pleasing than deception Isn't this the core principle of Brutalism? As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- crwalker 8y agoI hope my philosophy isn't Brutalism, because I find most of those buildings heinous. I'm not an expert, but it seems that Brutalism requires one to reduce all forms to their mechanical function. I think there are plenty of other good reasons to include a form, e.g. Corinthian columns are modeled after acanthus leaves, and I think that's just great. The form is telling a story about our connection with nature, and nobody is pretending that the column is actually an acanthus.
- 6nf 8y agoDan Gelbart on design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtxA20Q-Uss&feature=youtu.be&t=1308 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtxA20Q-Uss&feature=youtu.be... 'If something is 100% functional, it's always beautiful'
- ohazi 8y agoAll of Dan Gelbart's prototyping videos are pure gold: https://makezine.com/2015/03/20/18-lessons-smart-prototyping-self-made-billionaire/ https://makezine.com/2015/03/20/18-lessons-smart-prototyping... Fascinating guy: https://spie.org/membership/spie-professional-magazine/spie-professional-archives-and-special-content/octob-2010-spie-professional/beginners-luck?SSO=1 https://spie.org/membership/spie-professional-magazine/spie-...
- verelo 8y agoWhat was the end solution? I'm super interested to find out!
- sizzle 8y agoYour post reminded me of the fakery going on in Mcmansions. http://mcmansionhell.com/ http://mcmansionhell.com/