It’s fascinating watching people walk into the PAUA Architects’ office for the first time. I’m not sure what the expectation is, but we frequently receive comments remarking how interesting the space is.
There is colour, texture, character, quirkiness even. Artworks are scattered around, hand carved sculptures, architectural models, and a small collection of old Apple computers – artifacts of great design. Perspex and plywood cabinetry is both functional and visually interesting. It is immediately clear that this is a place of creativity, where art and culture are celebrated.
Read the full WBN column here.
While it’s arguably overdue for a refresh, and certainly well overdue for a tidy up, it’s nonetheless an enjoyable, enriching place to be.
In contrast, sadly, almost all new housing now is bland and uninteresting. I recently saw a developer claim online that they “can’t do anything crazy or bold, but can’t do anything too boring either.” This tends to play out as ’safe’ white interiors, and a limited palette of exteriors – Fifty Shades of Grey.
I understand the logic, that anything too adventurous might limit the marketability of new houses. But how do we know, has anyone bothered to test this assumption? And what about the marketing concept of having a point of difference?
Real estate agents would undoubtably tell you the same thing. Yet, agents can only sell what already exists. And so, we are stuck in a self-perpetuating feedback loop, producing more of the same, believing that is what the market wants, because that’s what sells, because of course, that’s all that is available to sell.
This is part of a broader trend of course. Just as the industrialisation of food production has homogenised our diets and robbed us of the joy of localised, seasonal eating, digital globalisation has supercharged a trend towards the sameness of everything.
Fashion, societal trends, and architectural movements have always made their way around the world, but have typically morphed and taken on regional nuance in the process.
As the world has gotten smaller, trends and preferences travel more quickly. Now you can find the same hipster coffee shop in Beijing or Barcelona, Melbourne or Manchester. It’s all become a bit too familiar and comfortable, and I think we’ve forgotten the joy of diversity.
We can do so much better. My challenge to anyone working in the provision of new housing, is to think how you might innovate and create more interesting, more enriching environments.
Perhaps it’s not appropriate in every instance, and I strongly suggest working with a professional who has training and experience with colour. But there is an opportunity to provide bolder, more colourful options.
Just imagine if you are successful. What if you could spark the same excitement about your development or house that we still get for new season strawberries or asparagus?
Read the original WBN column here.
