I had never thought that Architecture could ever be linked to writing. Sure, writers could describe spaces, bringing clarity to the process, or the end products. Architects, their methodologies could be explained. But can you actually design using words?
Whenever Sai spoke about narratives for design, I have always thought of it as a medium to convey the design rather than to create it. A million scenarios could be imagined for a space. How would creating a scenario help in design?
As part of developing the design for a project in trivandrum we had to develop the interiors for, I was asked to write about the spaces within the house. Confused as to what I was going to write about a house that was under construction, I spent the time I was traveling to the site thinking of a topic I could write about. I didn't get any ideas of use. But as it turns out, all that preparation wasn't necessary.
As I entered the building, I could imagine the space unfold in front of me. As I began to visualize it, I could see the spaces, not as the half done construction site but as the home it is going to become soon. As I began to write the story of the home and it's existence, I could describe the spaces as I saw it. It was like the building spoke to me. Each space had it's own vibe, a reason why it was designed. I could see the little details on the dining table. I could see the kids playing, I could see the plants in the balcony. The light and the shadows it created told a story. The more I wrote about it, the more detailed it got. With that, the design was formed - not in lines, but in words.
-Ananya
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