Design as Conversation

Lifted from Chicago Tribune, photo by Petros Giannakouris

So I saw this program on KVIE recently, in which they discussed the architectural marvels of the parthenon that were discovered during its restoration. While I am not for the restoration of ancient constructions — as I feel they should rather be replicated in order to preserve the condition of the original while still enabling the indulgence of our awe and curiosity — I feel like such processes allow us to decipher the spectacle of archaic techniques. This speaks to the idea that we, as creators in contemporary society, are virtually having a perpetually evolving conversation with our predecessors. What I mean by this is that as time progresses, we make steady advancements in our technology and creative process to meet our insatiable desires and ceaselessly evolving tastes. As we advance, however, the processes and objects of our creation stray further and further away from their antecedents. It is not uncommon that our advancements deviate so much from the origin that the anterior process from which we developed such concepts and constructions become lost in history as relics of a forgotten design.

We forget our roots.

We continue on for quite some time without realizing this, because we are so focused on the our present desires, our consumer tastes. But every now and then some kid takes a walk down the street, staring down at the ground, notices a crack in the sidewalk and has the epiphany, "Oh crap! Remember the Parthenon — the temple constructed in Ancient Greece nearly 2,500 years ago, which resides on the Acropolis of Athens!?" And just like that…

We remember our roots.

Thus we find inspiration in what we feel we have advanced so far beyond and yet have become so disconnected from. We look back, and realize by analyzing the construction and design of these creations that our ancestors were no where near as barbaric and obtuse as we like to think as we go about *slapping numbers into our Excel spreadsheets, throw together websites in Dreamweaver, and play games on our iPhone. The Parthenon is merely one example of a vast number of the astonishing opera of our past, many of which we have yet to rediscover.

How is this a conversation?

The designers of our past speak — statements are made in their work and in their plans, and questions are asked. Another responds, expanding upon the topic, refining the words, answering questions and asking new ones. The proces continues as time goes by, generation to generation, some of which get shrouded and forgotten. Our forbearers speak, and sometimes we listen and respond.

Now is OUR turn to speak. How will the future respond?



If you're interested in more information on the program Secrets of the Parthenon, you can find it on the NOVA website.

*When I say "we," I am of course referring to society in general. I actually don't do any of these things, aside from maybe calling on Dreamweaver to help me out with it's interface though I still prefer to code by hand.