Following our introduction in the last issue, I’d now like to delve a little deeper into the architectural manifesto of my practice.
Our design approach is to search for the essential elements of architecture; to return to the starting point of any space in order to arrive at the essence of architecture through a minimum of gestures.
Minimalism is not only negation, subtraction and purity: it is about reducing the creative process to the basic concepts of light, volume and mass. This austere and simple formalization, which sometimes hides elaborate technical construction, eliminates all superfluous elements and results in a clear, intense perception of the spaces.
Our schemes are an experiential exploration through movement and time. Narrative is the passing and unravelling of time. It is the temporal unfolding of events or experiences; the structuring of a set of juxtaposed fragments whose propositions and relations are developed only through temporal sequence and progression. Plot is the dynamic design and intention of narrative, giving it a certain direction and intent of meaning.
We perceive space being experienced as a narrative, as a passing of time, in which spaces of intervention are frozen moments. The proposition is to define passages punctuated by spatial pauses, set within the footprint of the building or site; to create an architecture using a sequence of spatial phrases of time and movement; a space of narrative.
The majority of our built projects are for residential use, however due to the spatial language used the spaces may be translated into many different guises. This is in response to the rapidly changing role of modern living and the perpetually shifting boundaries between live, work and play.
This concept of multifunctionality flows throughout the schemes, from the overall spatial layout, the use of lighting combined with materiality, to the bespoke or specified furniture. Nothing is superfluous; in fact elements of the design usually prove to embody more than one role. This is achieved on all levels of scale within our projects; interior, architecture and design.
In the next issue I will reveal how our manifesto relates specifically to thoughts on spatiality.
From interior design to architecture, if you have any queries or a project to which you would like Julie to apply her structured, creative thinking, please don't hesitate to contact her on the details below.
Julie Richards Architecture & Design Ltd
Tel: 01636 814624
Email: enquiry@julierichardsdesign.co.uk
Made Mar/Apr 2022 (Architectural Manifesto)