This is something I think about constantly. From an architect's perspective, the ultimate irony of modern and 'minimalist' design is that it's actually much more difficult to build. What looks effortless on the surface is actually the result of incredibly rigorous coordination, impossibly tight tolerances, and highly disciplined detailing and craftsmanship. That's where it derives its power.
Stripping a building or design down to its essentials removes the layers that traditionally conceal imperfections. No crown molding here! Ultimately minimalist design is less about "doing less," and more about a tireless dedication to execution, craft, materiality, and precision. Sticks in the craw of every architect I know. Minimalism's hard!
What an absolute delight to read and ponder. So many nuggets including “[o]r is it a utilitarian ventilating feature, perfect for a hot summer night cycling across the Manhattan Bridge while the Q rattles beside you?” [leo snapping fingers meme]
The diabolical thing is the subjectivity of it all. Like Morrison is totally entitled to hate on Memphis but there is beauty and art in the combination of utility and ornament for ornament’s sake. Combine those two in the right amounts and you approach the sublime, like that bookcase.
Excellent, thoughtful piece, as ever. One thing: your characterisation of Loos as "sexually deviant", while accurate, seems a smidge euphemistic. He was a convicted paedophile.
I loved this post. Thank you. I am always fascinated by what you write, but this post was especially aligned with some of my current thinking. I just wrote this post about unnecessary ornament and functions: https://soapt.substack.com/p/against-extra-crap. Thank you for your deeper thoughts on this subject. I also think Man-tle make some of the best clothes out there. Cheers. Dominic
Thought provoking! Always thankful to the plane for expanding my horizons and putting me onto design GOATS.
I have always taken issue with the idea of ornament versus function, as if there are not ornamental gestures that can also be functional. A simple, repeating pattern cut out of a metal sheet which casts shade, or slots cut into the side of a bookshelf to add visual interests + support for vining plants.
Yeah one thing I really like about this Morrison book is that he allows that this is the case, but insists (in these early writings, especially) on drawing a line between them anyway
This is something I think about constantly. From an architect's perspective, the ultimate irony of modern and 'minimalist' design is that it's actually much more difficult to build. What looks effortless on the surface is actually the result of incredibly rigorous coordination, impossibly tight tolerances, and highly disciplined detailing and craftsmanship. That's where it derives its power.
Stripping a building or design down to its essentials removes the layers that traditionally conceal imperfections. No crown molding here! Ultimately minimalist design is less about "doing less," and more about a tireless dedication to execution, craft, materiality, and precision. Sticks in the craw of every architect I know. Minimalism's hard!
Jonah fucked around and sold me another book with this one.
🔥 Really enjoyed this with the architecture and industrial design parts!
What an absolute delight to read and ponder. So many nuggets including “[o]r is it a utilitarian ventilating feature, perfect for a hot summer night cycling across the Manhattan Bridge while the Q rattles beside you?” [leo snapping fingers meme]
The diabolical thing is the subjectivity of it all. Like Morrison is totally entitled to hate on Memphis but there is beauty and art in the combination of utility and ornament for ornament’s sake. Combine those two in the right amounts and you approach the sublime, like that bookcase.
Excellent, thoughtful piece, as ever. One thing: your characterisation of Loos as "sexually deviant", while accurate, seems a smidge euphemistic. He was a convicted paedophile.
Leave to to the plane to parry the toxic subreddit discourse with an evenhanded, detailed treatise on plurality
reminded me that I need reread Christopher Alexander's "A Pattern Language "
I loved this post. Thank you. I am always fascinated by what you write, but this post was especially aligned with some of my current thinking. I just wrote this post about unnecessary ornament and functions: https://soapt.substack.com/p/against-extra-crap. Thank you for your deeper thoughts on this subject. I also think Man-tle make some of the best clothes out there. Cheers. Dominic
More of this sort of writing, please!
Thought provoking! Always thankful to the plane for expanding my horizons and putting me onto design GOATS.
I have always taken issue with the idea of ornament versus function, as if there are not ornamental gestures that can also be functional. A simple, repeating pattern cut out of a metal sheet which casts shade, or slots cut into the side of a bookshelf to add visual interests + support for vining plants.
Yeah one thing I really like about this Morrison book is that he allows that this is the case, but insists (in these early writings, especially) on drawing a line between them anyway
We gotta keep the tone civil in the comments ☮️