Enduring architecture follows a few key concepts, no matter where in the world you’re building
by Steve Thomas
Above from top: A barn, a library, and a shed-—all on the same property—espouse the bold formality, rigorous simplicity, and powerful enclosed space that characterizes timeless architectural design. Photograph by Steve Thomas.
When my editor asked me for my opinions on what constitutes timeless design, I turned to my architect friend Hicks Stone. Son of Edward Durell Stone, Hicks grew up in an intense architectural milieu. His father’s legacy is impressive, with works including the Museum of Modern Art, the United States Embassy in New Delhi, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C., not to mention scores of private residences and other commissions. For Hicks, there was no escaping it; he went to Harvard and became an architect like his dad.
Having built houses in all areas of the country, from Massachusetts to New Mexico, where regional styles are instantly recognizable, the question of what makes a design feel timeless intrigued us. So here are a few concepts:
Bold formality. Think of structures as diverse as the pyramids of Giza, the Greek temples of Sicily, or even Jorn Utzon’s Sydney Opera House or Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Hall. “Their emotive power as objects leaves an indelible imprint on our psyche,” says Hicks.
Rigorous simplicity. Simplicity means the studied elimination of all superficial applied ornament. Hicks points out that this is a fundamental tenet of European modernism, which sought a counterpoint to the unnecessary flourishes of baroque architecture. We see it now as some builders add ornament in hopes their offerings will be more attractive to buyers. However, the gratuitous application of ornament often makes the house seem cheaper and not richer.
Powerful enclosed space. This can be interior space, like the nave of St. Peter’s Basilica, or exterior space like Louis Kahn’s Salk Institute. Organizing spaces in an orderly and comprehensible sequence is critical. The best architecture imparts a sense of serenity and order as one moves through the space, and even a sense of surprise and joy. Take a look at the courtyards of the Alhambra Palace or the courtyard gardens found in Japanese architecture. Even though the styles and geographical locations are very different the rigorous control of interior space is evident in both.
I’ve built a number of Hicks’s designs over the years, and the trio of buildings I built on a Maine island illustrates all these points on a residential scale. Some builders and homeowners will become impatient with an architect’s exacting design demands as unnecessary, effete, and too costly. My take is a bit different. I think the dynamic interplay between architect, client, and builder produces better buildings.
I am a proponent of “less is more” in building design—less space, less embellishment, fewer and simpler visual lines, and axis in the two- and three-dimensional space. Achieving simplicity entails ruthless editing on the part of the architect, and relentless attention to detail on the part of the builder. The string line and laser level are our constant companions on the job site because we want all our lines to be clean and straight and true. Our clients ask: “This is such a simple house. Why do I feel so good in this space?” It’s because we pay close attention to achieving the principles set forth above.
