Editor’s note: This post was originally published on Lee’s personal blog, think | architect, and re-used here with his permission.
Imperfection is not a concept I am comfortable with…at all.
I’m well aware I cannot attain it; in fact I’m not sure I can define it. However, I don’t like it all the same. Architecture and imperfection is not (are not?) a pair that you would expect to put together. Imperfection can show up in many aspects of our profession from our design process to our documents to the final built work.
Recently I was asked a question by a contractor regarding my drawings which happen to be quite detailed. I swallowed hard when I found out that I did not specify the type of soffit on the exterior canopy. Now it’s not something that will add cost since he already budgeted for it and it was shown graphically on my drawings. Yet I remember doing a bit of research on this item and for the life of me I can’t believe I didn’t put any notes about it; I just drew it. It still eats at me yet it’s not a big deal. I admit I am not perfect yet the end result will be just fine.
A couple of years ago I read Jeremy Till’s book “Architecture Depends” where he posits that architecture is dependent on a plethora of elements that are completely out of the architect’s control. The architect would be better off to embrace this theory. It was a fascinating read, but I’m still disappointed when the best laid plans don’t quite come together as intended. In typical architect dreaming, the ideal does not equal the real.
Even as I write this I’m coming to terms that I’ve probably made some type of error(s) whether spelling or grammatical. (Break it to me easy). Why do architects fear imperfection? Can we embrace it? I seriously doubt it.
I will say there is one area that imperfection is a bit more welcomed. During the design process we actually do cherish the potential of imperfection. Maybe that’s not the best term to use. Our ‘patient search’ for a design solution leads us down many paths and most of them are not the right most appropriate direction. We test and study a series of ideas, layouts, concepts and compositions only to find that they’re just not right for this project. Our sketches are messy and to some degree “imperfect.” However, it is through these imperfections (don’t mistake it for trial and error) that we teach ourselves to “see” the stronger solutions.
We learn from imperfection…sometimes the most profound lessons.
Architecture is a fickle paradox. We work through imperfect ideas through a rigorous process to develop an architecture that is documented perfectly and then haunt the builder to construct it perfectly. A utopian vision at best, but it is an imperfect process at worst.
Can we embrace imperfection yet? I don’t really know.
I have to go now; there is something misaligned on my desk.