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Eclectic Architecture
By Mark W. Canada, A.I.A., Architect
Eclectic Architecture
As an architecture
student many years ago I still recall an epiphany of consciousness.
I was standing in a subterranean vault surrounded by 1000+
year old Roman walls of the medieval walled town of Basil,
Switzerland. The colored fresco walls were ancient yet recently
refurbished. On the worn stone floor I envisioned sandal clad
Roman soldiers dutifully performing their work. Embedded in
the stone walls were ancient heavy timbers used as structural
lintels supporting stone ceilings overhead. But before me
there were ½” thick floating glass walls, finely
machined stainless steel hardware and high tech cable lighting
exhibiting contemporary artwork! The dichotomy of materials
was astounding! Ever since, I have wanted to emulate that
degree of eclectic architecture.
Since that memorable moment of recognition 32 years ago I
have had several other occasions of contrasting materials
making beautiful impressions on my mind as an architect. There
is simply nothing more beautiful to me than the juxtaposition
of the old with the new, the worn with the polished, the solid
with the void, the contemporary with the traditional and the
light with the heavy. Feng Shui friendly design is conscious
of this principal as a harmonious balance in nature unlocking
the mysteries of environmental energy. Eclectic architecture
offers a richness that is not possible by adhering strictly
to a single style or genre of design, no matter how expertly
detailed and exquisitely executed. To me, Eclectic Architecture
is the ultimate expression of architecture as living sculpture.
In fact, we have designed a few residential projects that
intentionally look as if they are historic restorations of
old buildings that have then been added onto in a contemporary
style simply to contrast and create Eclectic Architecture.
The abstraction and distillation to a simpler application
of a recognizable style is called Mannerist architecture.
This is not Contemporary Architecture; the most commonly misunderstood
two words in the English language. Leonardo Di Vinci practiced
Mannerist architecture, rebelling against his noble clients
in the design execution of their manors and retreats when
asked to design something in the style de jour-Neoclassical/
Roman Revival.
The buzz word you hear these days in the construction industry
is “green building.” It makes me smile because
we as architects have been practicing passive solar architecture
for 40+ years now, and it has just recently undergone a rebirth
with a new name. Building with sustainable building materials
with the aim to save fossil fuel while both building the structure
and maintaining it during its life-use cycle is finally recognized
by developers and builders as environmentally conscionable.
Renovations and additions are the epitome of ‘Green
Building’, in that they save and reuse energy that would
otherwise be destroyed. If passive solar energy techniques
can be incorporated in the remodels and additions, along with
incorporation of an eclectic design approach; well, that is
what we as architects dream for.
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