MSC | AIA Design Lecture Series: Asa Highsmith, AIA

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Social hour begins at 6:00 PM followed by an Asa Highsmith, AIA, lecture at 7:00 PM."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"About Common Works Architects:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As a firm that has only operated in the American Midwest\n(and almost exclusively in Oklahoma City), our design approach has developed\nout of the specific conditions that drive project budgets within this region.\nSculptural form, material fetish, and other \u2018big move\u2019 design approaches come\nwith inherent fragility and rarely survive the entire process intact. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Thus, we begin design from a foundation of formal simplicity\nand well understood local materials and assemblies, then build upon these\n\u2018givens\u2019 the choices that will form the character of our projects. Our work is\ntherefore tightly bound to the local \u2018vernacular\u2019, as much as it can be said\nthat one exists. Generally, this means our solutions consist of very simple\nextruded forms with mostly flat facades that tend to make use primarily of\nbrick (a material option that is within reach of most projects in our clay-rich\narea)."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"On this canvas, we employ equally simple strategies to\ndevelop the design. Flat facades are approached similar to typographical layout\non a page: Fenestration sizing and type are considered for their expressive\nqualities and contribution to the ordering of the composition; blank space\nbetween is punctuated carefully with exterior lighting, vent caps, and other\nmiscellaneous elements; and finally subtle articulation is applied to the\nmateriality of the facade itself. In short, we view the composition itself as\nthe opportunity for ornament and expression."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"It\u2019s our belief that these strategies not only result in\noutcomes that we and our clients can be proud of, but that can also fit within,\nand add value to, the larger fabric of a place. Through use of an architectural\nlanguage which is both accessible and legible to the general public, we see our\napproach as democratizing design and elevating that which is common."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"There can still be magic in the everyday, and its within\nthis surprisingly vast space we practice."]]]]}