In last night’s architectural training we learned about Greece, Rome and Classical architecture. We also learned about the development of the Greek agora into the Roman Forum. The former characterized by figural object buildings on an open field, the latter by figural spaces carved out of the urban fabric. This shift is referred to as a figure-ground reversal and best illustrated by Rubin’s Face-Vase optical puzzle or the well known woodcut by M.C. Escher, “Sky and Water I.” These images play with how the eye uses edges to perceive shapes; an effect first studied by Gestalt (G. “puzzle,” or “pattern”) psychologists at the beginning of the 20^th century.

In the 3-D world of architecture buildings can be perceived as objects or as background, and sometimes as one then the other. Our friends at KlingStubbins wanted to create a decorative element for Autodesk’s Waltham headquarters that would oscillate between states as desired. The above M.C. Escher image was used in the design inspiration for the millwork ceiling in the lobby, Customer Briefing Center and atrium space.

©2009 Jeff Goldberg/ESTO

©2009 Jeff Goldberg/ESTO

Dwell recently posted a video about Smart Design: a product, interactive and brand design company with offices in NYC, San Francisco and Barcelona. In the video Smart Design principals talk about the design process, specifically surrounding a project about public bathrooms in NYC. The cool thing about this video is how end users are integrated into the design process. The designers at Smart Design, like other great designers, ingrain the opinions and thought process of the end users into their own heads when designing something, increasing the success rate of the project tenfold. We always love learning how designers think, so we can be better building partners on Integrated Project Delivery projects.

Last week Autodesk’s AEC software development team came into Tocci headquarters to observe our nationally acclaimed Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team working with Autodesk software. Tocci has been a beta tester for Autodesk since 2006, but this observation was very exciting because Autodesk did some brainstorming exercises with our VDC team. The exercises helped Autodesk gather information about what features builders will want to see in the future and how they actually use this software. They involved organizing concept cards according to our personal views about what is and will be happening with BIM, the industry, and design. There were also discussions and observations of our BIM working process.

Everyone in our VDC department enjoyed reflecting on the way they work and think with others who are as passionate about BIM and VDC as we are.

Check out Tocci’s unique approach to existing conditions:

It is a new day in the construction industry. Team integration is the key to success. Understanding and respecting everyone involved in the design and building process from the architect and interior designer to the HVAC subcontractor to the mechanical engineer is what is most needed to build the buildings of the future. To that end Tocci has instituted mandatory attendance at Architectural Education lectures once a week for all our employees so we can become better builders of great design.

This is a grass-roots endeavor started from within the company and taught by our resident “fancy-pants” architect Pierce Reynoldson (you will remember him from his architectural commentary column here on coolcalmconstructed.com). Pierce draws from his training at the Yale School of Architecture where he got his M. Arch. in architecture. As the series progresses we will be having guest lectures from prestigious architectural firms and universities.

Last night, to kick off the series, we got an overview of western architecture and an introduction to some key terms and concepts in the architectural field. We discussed iconic buildings like the St. Peters in Rome, the Eiffel Tower, the Seagram building in NYC and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa. Then we delved into concepts like Typology, Morphology and Parti.

Next week: 800 BC-400 AD: Antiquity: Greece and Rome! If you would like to join us, please email Mary at marybk@tocci.com.