Portraits: Architectural Parables

All ideas are based on previous ideas, their imitation, inversion, rejection, or adaptation, or on their reinterpretation or ignorance. This applies to visual perception and how it influences our thinking and world of ideas. Portraits: Architectural Parables by François Charbonnet and Patrick Heiz reveals the approaches they take in their design methodology and teaching at ETH Zurich's Department of Architecture and Accademia di architettura in Mendrisio. The distinctive feature lies in the linking and collaging of mutually illuminating, yet apparently antagonistic, programs, focusing on the potential of cross-fertilization of different images and ideas rather than a single, all-embracing model of thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 656 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2022
Publisher: Park Books

Architectural design is a complex and multifaceted field that relies on the foundation of previous ideas, their imitation, inversion, rejection, or adaptation. This principle applies not only to architectural design but also to our visual perception and how it shapes our thinking and world of ideas. It is a truth that holds true across all forms of creation and design.

In their book "Portraits: Architectural Parables," François Charbonnet and Patrick Heiz, the founding partners of the renowned Swiss design firm Made in, delve into these profound questions through a rich tapestry of images from art history and everyday culture. Accompanied by analytical and categorizing texts, they unveil their unique design methodology and teaching approach at ETH Zurich's Department of Architecture and Accademia di architettura in Mendrisio.

What sets "Portraits: Architectural Parables" apart is its distinctive approach of linking and collaging mutually illuminating but seemingly antagonistic programs. Made in's method eschews historical accuracy in favor of a reductive purpose, purposefully collaging sources and facts to serve as a catalyst for cross-fertilization of different images and ideas. The focus is not on a single, all-encompassing model of thought but on the potential that arises from the interplay of diverse perspectives.

Through their captivating images and insightful texts, Charbonnet and Heiz invite readers to explore the intricate relationship between architecture, visual perception, and the broader realm of ideas. They challenge us to think beyond the boundaries of traditional design and to embrace the richness of cross-disciplinary collaboration. "Portraits: Architectural Parables" serves as a testament to the power of creativity and the endless possibilities that arise when different disciplines converge.

In conclusion, "Portraits: Architectural Parables" is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of the foundations of architectural design and the broader implications of visual perception. By challenging our preconceptions and encouraging us to think beyond the boundaries of traditional design, Charbonnet and Heiz offer a valuable contribution to the field of architecture and beyond. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of creativity, architecture, and the world of ideas.

Dimension: 300 x 180 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783038603092