Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Power of Design


Hello Everyone and welcome to my blog!

As an Interior Designer and a Professor at FIT, I am constantly surprised, energized, awed and challenged by the world around me.

Living in New York presents a wealth of opportunities for both the Professional Designer and the Design Enthusiast in all of you! I am sure that some of you are aware of the building boom occurring here in our City. Many of the world renowned architects and designers of the 20th and 21st Century have been very busy over the last few years designing and constructing both iconic office and residential buildings. While some of them have certainly created controversy, all have raised the awareness of the public to the power of design and architecture.

Last Christmas, my husband and I were driving on the West Side Highway, heading back home after his Business Christmas Party. He was driving so I had the distinct pleasure of gazing at the water on one side and all of the new construction on the other. Right before my eyes, the most incredible building materialized. An organic, glass curtain wall that changed shape as it climbed the building. I had read that he had finished the IAC Headquarters (Barry Diller's Media Company) on the West Side and having studied the work of this architect, I knew that it was Frank Gehry's work the moment I laid eyes on it. I was literally blown away by the undulating curves and the milky white glass curtain facade. Then the surprise----the glass began to change from white to green to orange.....the whole lobby was flooded in color.

Design and architecture can pack a powerful punch. Expertly executed, it can evoke emotions, questions and a sense of awe in the viewer and the user of the space. Whether one likes the style of the building or design, the more you have seen and learned, the more you will appreciate the genius, creativity and originality of a great design.

I happen to love Gehry's work. Not everyone will. However, to appreciate his innovative use of materials, color, texture, light and other elements of design, you can understand the genius behind his work. He has created a brand. His mark, his style, and you can easily recognize his work all over the world including Bilbao, Spain; Los Angeles, CA; and now in New York City.
If you want to see some images and read more about the building process, click on the link below:
Stay tuned for more design stories and commentary!

1 comment:

Bob S. said...

Phyllis -
I enjoyed reading your blog and the informative commentary therein.
Your perceptive sense of the innovative design present in the world around you will lead me to focus more on that which I have, unfortunately all too often, overlooked while driving to and from NYC and other places. Thanks and good luck with your new and creative Blog.
Bob Sommerfield