My Philosophy on Architecture

• Ronnie Gor

“A house is a machine for living in.” -Le Corbusier

Architecture and design in the broader sense have always interested me. Building design in particular represents our opportunity to truly work with – and most importantly within – our natural surroundings. Rather than seeing buildings as something that exist on a plot of land, I like to think of every structure as part of the land and the place itself, more like an extension of what was there before the building came to be. This approach helps me naturally incorporate my designs while also more easily incorporating nature and the culture of a given place into every decision I make.

Being born in Asia, I’ve been fortunate enough to not only see and experience the architecture of another culture and another region of the world, but to also understand more deeply how architecture connects and adapts to culture. Culture influences building design and the philosophy behind it. Basic human needs cross cultures, but the way we fill those needs and the importance they hold in our daily lives differs wildly. All of that then comes through in the architecture of a place. I have always believed that the field of architecture extends beyond the design of the structure itself, so I approach every project as a more holistic form of design and an integration into the culture of the place and the people. In everything I do, I learn by looking and architecture is no different. I see form and shape in the world around me and imagine how it could be applied to design.

I take time to notice how shapes, colors, textures, and physical spaces interact with each other, whether in harmony or in sharp contrast, and what that interaction brings to the setting. This is an important part of the design process because it helps me think about things I may have overlooked. It’s easy, sometimes, to get lost in the big picture while neglecting the details.

I opened with a quote from Le Corbusier – one of my favorite architects – because thinking of a house as a machine helps my mind remember not only the details, but the importance of the inner-workings. A machine serves a purpose. It does one specific thing or a series of things, but every single piece of that machine serves its own purpose and must work with the entire machine to enable that larger purpose. I think Le Corbusier understood that better than most. His designs can easily stand alone as breathtaking structures, but they can just as easily be appreciated in their details.

How do the indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly, leaving the occupant to enjoy both spaces without even noticing how that’s possible? How do the elements in a room (building materials, furniture, accents, light, etc.) work together to convey a feeling? How does a kitchen become functional as a space for preparing meals, entertaining guests, and enjoying quiet morning light all at the same time?

I don’t have an answer to all of these questions because there are no hard answers. That’s what drives me to pursue the perfect design for a time and place and its people. That’s what brought me to architecture, and it’s what continues to fascinate me about design.

My goal for this blog is to explore architecture by looking at design outside of architecture and how that affects the way we all see the world. Maybe that sounds a little lofty, but I think we can all benefit from pausing to see the trees so we can understand how they help make the forest what it is.

Ronnie Gor
Owner | Designer | Developer