My Anlysis on Our Architects: Representing Their Ideas

Each architect/designer has his or her own way of showing their ideas to others. Some use diagrams, draw sketches, paint pictures, make models, or write out their ideas.
Out of our 16 architects, only a few of them actually paint or watercolor to represent their ideas, and some only do it for inspiration. Steven Holl uses his watercolor as a type of sketch, then perfects his design as the project moves on. Will Alsop is an example of someone who paints for inspiration and to show ideas and sketches, as well as Zaha Hadid.
A majority of our 16 of our architects make models, hand made or computer generated. Thom Mayne, Shinergu Ban, Norman Foster, NOX, and Frank Gehry who all sketch, Diller and Scafido, and then finally Renzo Piano, who has just recently started making models after many years of using sketches.
Pretty much all architects use sketches, especially in the earlier stages of their designs. Peter Zumthor, for example, uses rough sketches in the beginning of his projects, then moves on to more detailed diagrams later on in the design; and Antione Predock does the same thing.
Ma Yonsong uses drawings, while the UN studios and JDS use very detailed diagrams and 'good communication'. As you can see, every architect developes his or her own way of showing their ideas as their careers move on.

Simplicity and Sustainibility

If Renzo Piano could change the way the George Pompidou Center looked, he would. The cultures center was his first design, and it is very unlike any of his other designs. His later designs are simple, yet sustainable. In the pictures above is George Pompidou Center. A culture center but also a good viewing place of Paris, it has attracted many people from the start.

The picture above is the Brancusi gallery Piano reconstructed. Believe it or not, it is right next to the George Pompidou Center. The contrast between the two designs is great, even from the outside.
In this photos above is Kansai International Airport. The airport was constructed on a 1-mile artificial island off of Osaka, Japan. It was built to sustain earthquakes and tycoons but Piano also made it simple and beautiful.

Sharing a Common Language

In an interview with Renzo Piano, the interviewer asks him, "All of your art museums share a common language- art and transparency. Why?" I don't really remember the answer, but I do know that if you look at all of his designs after George Pompidou Center, there is always a light, cozy feeling to his designs.

Roofing is especially important to that feeling. An ever-occurring 1-inch ceiling to let natural light in while controlling the damaging sun rays, is his "leaves" technology. Made with renewable and environmentally safe materials, the "leaves" fulfills Renzo Piano's desire to create a comfortable environment, but also fulfilling the public's as well. Photo below, is Menil Collection.

The "leaves" are also transparent in the way too. Only having lighting for the art (if needed), the rest is natural light during the day. Menil Collection is the best example for this.

Sailing and its Influence

Renzo Piano loves to sail, and does it all the time. He was born in Genoa, which is by the sea. He even builds sailboats and yachts, influenced by his father being a builder. Sailing influences his work in very obvious ways.
The photos above are of Aurora Place, in Sydney. The top part is of a sail, that is thin and kind of transparent. The building is made so there isn't a need for air conditioning, meaning that the sunlight heat is diffused. The Sydney Opera House was influencial in this design.

Aurora Place isnt the only example. Some details of a sailboat that is seen in his buildings is smaller, such as wooden stair rails, like that seen on a boat. Features like this are part of what makes Renzo Piano a very unique architect.