Decoration With Purpose

Iktinus, Callicrates and Phidias, architects and sculptor are credited for the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to Athena Parthenos in Athens, Greece. Built in the 5th Century B.C. the building is widely considered the epitome of Classical Greek Architecture. The architects not only designed a building of perfect proportion, which compensates for optical illusions, but also served as its engineers. We cannot imagine it without sculpture, but do find it hard to imagine it anything but white. Doubtless many, many more people were involved in this masterpiece of architecture, interior design, sculpture and decoration-all working towards a building which symbolized the supremacy of of the city-state of Athens and Greek culture.

Architeckton is the Greek word for master builder. The ancient masterbuilder was trained in all phases of design and construction. His responsibility extended well beyond the architectural design. He was the overseer of the entire project, from concept, design through construction. This was clearly well before the age of specialization, government regulations and professional liability insurance.

Many great structures through the present date continue to exemplify the concept of full integration of the arts. We no longer employ the term master builder and we identify ourselves according to particular fields of primary involvement, down to the most specific I've come across, drapery specialist.

What appeals to me is the architecture and the interior strike a perfect balance, which is especially difficult when working within the context of historical buildings, like the Berliner Reichstag, by Norman Foster and Partners.

The view at the top is a panorama taken inside the new dome structure, which in the image below is seen behind the entry portico peeking above the portico.

The Parthenon is as good as it gets and the Reichstag is way up there. They are cultural monuments built for lofty purposes. They, however, set the standards by which we mere mortals aspire to achieve if even on a tiny scale.

What I've observed in my years practicing in the design industry is a disconnect between architects, interior designers and engineers to the point that I wonder if they ever spoke to each other. The results are disconcerting; a euphemism for mind-boggling.

Take for instance the iconic and controversial Watergate building in DC.

Aerial View

Exterior Detail

Interior

The Watergate, despite being located in very conservative Washington, DC, was very much at the forefront of architectural and urban planning when it was designed and built in the late 1960's. Cultural and historical significance was achieved in the 70's Watergate Scandal, which led to President Nixon's resignation. A different kind of iconography is represented in the photo of an apartment interior. If the design of the ceiling is a hint of what was removed, it was likely a shrine to Marie Antoinette's Versailles, or was it created as a rehearsal hall for the famed rendition of Madonna's Vogue?

Visual puns aside, there is a strong disconnect between the building and what remains of the opulent interior. Heavily brocaded, silk-lined, perhaps motorized drapes would have hidden the floor to ceiling sliding doors; and carefully placed reproduction antiques would have prevented bodily damage by walking in to the chandeliers of what was certainly an opulent, rococo inspired interior. By the same token, I cannot imagine a horse-drawn carriage was the means of transportation preferred by its former occupants.

I have no problem with decoration. In fact, life is full of it and it gives us much pleasure, down to the watch we select to wear on our wrist. It's a free architectural and design world too and we all have a right to personal preferences. My intent is to point out what I consider purposeful design that is worthy of praise and emulation and its' counterpart.

Thanks For Design

Being good at anything is hard work; it requires discipline. Reaching for the goal gives purpose, ambition and the drive to succeed. And once a baseline is achieved, you want to get better and that's where the discipline pays off. I am always designing or thinking about design. And when I'm not doing that, it's something related, like photography, and in recent years, writing.

I wasn't always a good designer. When I first started Architecture school I was clueless, fell flat on my face at least a few dozen times, but I'd say by the time I finished school at Cornell University I was pretty good at it. As soon as I started working I then realized I had no clue on how things get built and the thousands of technical issues that arise out of building just about anything. Being good at design opened doors for me, which allowed me to do the "fun" stuff, while I acquired technical proficiency along the way.

Very early on in my career I promised myself I wouldn't become cynical when I observed it in someone who was a very unhappy architect. There's a surge of energy that comes with being creative and negativity keeps it from flowing. Within a few years I experienced another surge of energy, one that comes from being recognized through awards and media attention.

Within ten years of working as an architect I started a business venture with my college friend, Andreas Charalambous, which we called FORMA. We were very successful. So much so that we decided each one of us could have his own firm, which is how I founded Studio Santalla in 2001. Up until 2008 I followed the "Ivory Tower" model, whereby the architect/designer is holed up in a cell theorizing and organizing his drawing pencils.

Once open to them, the opportunities have come my way. In four years I've met more people than I had in the previous twenty-four. I am invited to speak at industry events. My work is published extensively and Studio Santalla has continued to win awards. I've written about design for Washington Life Magazine and The Georgetowner. To defy the stereotype of the "artiste," I joined the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, of which I am now Board President. This "gig" has afforded me more writing opportunities in both The Washington Blade and Metro Weekly.

Is it good karma, carving out my own path or shameless self promotion that's given me a great career so far? A good mix of all of them, I think. Regardless, I am grateful and I don't take any of it for granted because if not for hard work, it would all end. Today, however, in the midst of everything on my "Master Dream List" list, I am taking a moment to be thankful.

Oh, by the way, there was a piece on me in the Washington Business Journal last week. (Shameless self promotion at play.)

Of the many blessings in my life, there is my spouse, Glen Ackerman.

Photo by Diana Adams

A safe and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

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Making Art From A WMD

December 2006 found me at Flamingo Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico. Shaped like a horseshoe, it has crystal clear, shallow water that eventually turns emerald green and turquoise; silky white sand, palm trees swaying in the warm breeze, and in the near distance, verdant hills. There is but one small building and a few cabanas on this beach, the small compound I was staying.

Right after sunrise the sound of the ocean is barely a whisper and the sand is wet with dew . As the sun climbs the sky, the water comes alive with color and the sand warms to the touch. The afternoons are best spent out of the intense sun and heat, but come sunset, the sky darkens until the stars emerge to illuminate the boundless sky.

The days in Culebra were some of the most peaceful, serene and even spiritual of my life. At this place of ineffable beauty, nature and man coexist in perfect synchronicity. Flamingo Beach has a soul.

Little effort is required to go from one end of the beach to the other, so I took leisurely strolls along the gentle surf. At one end, two antiquated artillery tanks sit abandoned to the elements and left to rot. The surface of the oxidized tanks is painted with vibrantly colored graphics, as if graffiti. At turns, it also looks like the art of the Taino Indians, but they are long gone. As unexpected objects in the landscape they are interesting enough, but corrosion mixed with painted symbols and moss growing on them creates fantastic microcosms imbued with life. I cannot imagine the beach without the tanks, however incongruent at first glance. They have become part of the soul of the place.

This was the first time I worked with a digital camera, thanks to the fact that one of my friends had one handy. It's been my goal with color photography to take abstract images, which is not an easy task, but then again, that's where the satisfaction comes.

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For Green's Sake, Part 2

As we start to recover from the physical and emotional devastation of Hurricane Sandy, solutions emerge. There is the immediate need for food and shelter and there is a call to action for preparedness in the future. Being ready for a possible eventuality comes in many ways; one of them is awareness. What are the environmental ramifications of our choices, for example? We can act with conscience and the desire to protect the environment.

Change starts at home and it's the efforts of many individuals that amount to significant change over time. Much has done for the sake of progress and innovation and in the process, the environment is ransacked and neglected. With awareness comes change, which is at the core of sustainability.

In 2009, I was part of a group of people in the construction industry-a developer, a contractor, architects, engineers, interior designers and community leaders, who realize changes at home are necessary. As such, we created the GreenHouse, a work of architecture, engineering and interior designers who embraced the need to lead in the direction of environmental responsibility.

In "For Green's Sake, Part 1," I discussed the design of the Spa/Retreat designed by Studio Santalla. Let's look at the results.


Economy of means is at the core of sustainability. How can the the minimum achieve the maximum? During the day, natural light is used to the maximum, for example. Did I mention it's free?

The daybed is perfect for naps. Fabrics by Brentano and Joseph Noble. The daybed structure was fabricated by Superior Home Services. "Untitled," made from plastic bags heat welded on to plastic wrap is by Dan Steinhilber, represented by G Fine Arts. Low VOC paint is by Farrow and Ball.

The tall curb contains the water for the re-circulating waterfall fixture by Kohler, which has been unfortunately discontinued. And yes, the light fixture by Fontana Arte inside the shower meets code. It's above the minimum height required.

The balcony guard rail by 3Form is made from recycled plastic.

Ceramic floors and wall tiles, supplied by Architectural Ceramics are durable and require minimum maintenance.

The recycled plastic by 3Form is used again to cover an opening created to bring in natural light to the powder room beyond.

The Powder Room has water efficient fixtures by Kohler, a cedar slab countertop, a piece of art made from junk mail, You Meet Certain Criteria, by Aurora Robson, represented by Project 4, and towels made from unbleached Irish linen.

A simple stair rail leads to the second floor office space. The hanging piece is "Danae" by Barbara Josephs Liotta.

The recirculating waterfall enhances the spa experience, as does the river rock back of the shower.

The coffee table, made from corrugated cardboard is by Leo Kempf. "Grassland" is a commentary on grass as a a "foreign" object. The credenza, designed by Studio Santalla is made of Kirei, a recycled wood product and Paper Stone; built by Wooden Design.

The view from above. A second generation Kindle, now older than a dinosaur is on the daybed. It was the "it" electronic until the iPad came out a few months later. Regardless, I've read eBooks since that time. The sisal carpet is by Merida.

A documentary on the architectural, interior design and construction of the GreenHouse was made by Green Living Films and premiered at the 2010 Washington, DC Environmental Film Festival, in which I had the good fortune to participate.

The Spa/Retreat received lots and lots of press, including the Washington Post, Traditional Home and a feature in Home & Design Magazine. Washington Life magazine also recognized me as one of DC's top design professionals. I suppose you can call these a subset of benefits of "going green."

Thanks for reading and remember

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