lessons in appropriate concept design

this past week i have learned some valuable lessons about producing good design that is appropriate to the PRACTICE you are involved with, as well as the client. It is important to understand the professional, economic and , more importantly, political context in which you design, as well as the abilities of your practice. Your design, whether classical or modern, blobby or space-age, must be something that the practice can envisage producing (in many senses of the term), and is comfortable to be associated with the 'style' of the design. Richard Meier wouldn't even begin attempting to design a Calatrava-esque building, nor would Grimshaw attempt a Perkins and Will project. So what's the point in any of their design staff proposing designs in the manner aforementioned?

Some firms wish to raise their design standards, and many times make attmpts at doing so even at the risk of causing much unrest from within. A change of direction such as this should be agreed on by all the governing individuals in the firm. Otherwise, proposing design concepts that are 'off the beaten path' or are more 'daring' or even completely different from what the practice is accustomed to, is bound to face much resistance and a great risk of failure. Firms with key personnel that are unwilling to take design risks, in the sense of moving away from the conservative, or are uncomfortable with new ideas, in the sense of resisting ideas that are complicated but understandable, in favor for those that are simple and easy, actually risk being pigeon-holed as boring or uninventive, as well as the even worse prospect of stagnation and peril.

However, it would seem that the issue creates a catch-22 for the adventurous designer. With no cutting-edge experience, you can't get a job in a cutting-edge firm. Mediocre or average firms are sometimes less adventurous and more conservative, therefore restricting the opportunities for the brave designer. The only consolation is to try to make each and every part of a building you touch as good as it can possibly be, given the prevailing conditions. Step up to the challenge, exercise your creativity, ensure the product is appropriate for the conditions, and better design will follow.