2018 Architecture Awards

2018 Architecture Awards Build client’s requirements, and that there is tech available to produce and optimise each component of the finished design. We utilise BIM in the production of the construction documents, and it isn’t uncommon to see electronic notepads replacing paper drawings on our jobsites. VR is the way of the future and modeling the building inclusive of its systems will become commonplace, while design, engineering, and construction time frames will become compressed. Certain building systems will become modularised, resulting in the use of standardised components.” Tom Ward interjects “Hopefully someone will invent a new less cumbersome method of mixing and delivering concrete!” Ward+Blake feels the goal of utilising this science and technology is to create better Architecture. The science and technology alone are not enough. Tom and Mitch agree that “Great architecture still requires an insightful use of intuition and an understanding of the inherent need for shelter and accommodation. The architype doesn’t require re-invention, nor does it require pedantic references to the past. We feel great architecture lies in the grey zone where the two intersect. Breaking the box regarding architype and formulaic design will always produce a more relevant building.” Tom continues “Fortunately for us people still respond to natural light, great views, human scale, texture, colour and the myriad of other sensory inputs that compose the kaleidoscope of life. Thus, siting a building is still the first important set of decisions to make. This includes understanding the determinants that inform a buildings design, such as topography, view corridors, solar exposure, directions of prevailing winds, location of storm paths, type and season of precipitation, analysing these elements relative to a client’s, building program are first steps employed by Ward+Blake Architects before pen touches paper or mouse touches pad.” Tom and Mitch go on to discuss that “as the building design fleshes out, discussions take place that establish various quality, performance and cost issues. Invariably, the concept of Green Design parameters works their way into the conversation. Metrics are applied, and appropriate technologies to employ are established. We try to consider a notion of Green Design into a project that does not have any known metric that can be applied-quality. We think of the quality of a building affects the life span of a building. What could be Greener and more planet respective that a structure that avoids being placed in a landfill after only a generation of use? Bestowing a building with this sense of quality in design as well as materiality will help keep it out of a landfill, as will being mindful of an ability of the structure to evolve over time by being adaptable as ownership or technology changes over time. These ideas return to the design criteria governed by budget requiring the budget be analysed with respect to initial cost as well as life-cycle cost over time. We feel this conversation circles back to the Green content in a building’s design and specification.” Overall, the firm has success, but is keen to draw on the past to improve itself even further over the years to come. In the 1960’s, Erich Fromme coined a word that is being used more frequently these days. The word is Biophilic. It describes a hypothetical need interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature. This concept is gaining traction across the globe as an example of increasing awareness of the effect of humanity on the capacity of the earth’s ability to sustain life. The principles of design embodied by the work of Ward+Blake attempts to address this idea by rooting a building to its site and providing tangible links from the Architecture to the Land. They think it will provide a sense of wellness along with tangible returns in building ownership. A healthy mind, a healthy body and a healthy pocketbook are lofty goals to try and achieve by as humble a profession as Architecture, but they are worth accomplishing as far as Ward+Blake is concerned, and their goal is to accomplish this one building at a time. 9 Contact: Amanda Green Company: Ward+Blake Architects Address: 200 E. Broadway, Jackson, Wyoming, 83002, USA Telephone: 001 307 733 6867 Web Address: www.wardblakearchitects.com AR180074