The first thing you notice when entering a city is its skyline. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the city is your hometown, there’s something about how the buildings trace the sky that can be utterly captivating. Of course, that alluring skyline doesn’t happen by accident. 

Every city’s distinctive aerial silhouette is a function of the architecture and design that begins at ground level. 

Architecture is a critical part of how a city looks—and how it works.

Well-designed buildings have an enormous impact on the life of a city. How buildings look and function affects the way people live, work, and play. Whether it’s a city center designed for walkability or a highrise that has been planned for the most efficient use of space, the buildings around us have a direct effect on how we go about our daily lives. 

And it’s not just practical. From awe-inspiring modern skyscrapers to classically designed historic structures, the best designs engage our imaginations and our emotions in deep and sometimes unexpected ways.

Once More with Feeling

A critical aspect of design is the way an object elicits an emotional response. We see this often in our everyday lives. The cars we drive, the furniture we use in our homes, even the pen or pencil we pick up most often when working at our desks—there’s an emotional connection that makes those objects uniquely ours. 

It’s the same with buildings. The most successful architectural designs kindle something in the people who view and use them. We probably notice this most with iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building. But any well-designed building can provoke the same sense of wonder and excitement.

It Is What It Does

While beauty for its own sake has value, the true beauty of a well-designed building always emanates from its purpose. Successful designers begin with a building’s purpose and then work creatively to find the most interesting and beautiful ways to fulfill the purpose. 

Architecture is a discipline that merges design and engineering. At that intersection many interesting things happen. And when the marriage of form and function is complete, a beautiful, emotionally resonant building can be the happy result.

The Color of Design

It’s hard to overstate the importance of color in a good design. The right palette is a critical element for an aesthetically pleasing building. Plus, exterior colors can have an enormous impact on the usability and efficiency of the building. Exterior colors can establish branding, help building users locate key features and amenities, and can even affect indoor temperatures.

For interiors, color is even more important in creating the right atmosphere in a building. Aesthetically pleasing colors also play an enormous role in the pleasure a building brings to its occupants. Color has an effect on mood, well-being, and—believe it or not—a person’s appetite.

Good design pays careful attention to the role of color to ensure that every aspect of the design hits the right notes for both usability and beauty.

A Unique Touch

Some of the most iconic designs in the history of architecture have a unique take on the materials or methods used to create them. 

Whether it’s discovering innovative building materials like self-healing concrete, carbon fiber, or choosing the best natural stone or wood for their project, architects spend a lot of their design energy on finding the perfect materials to bring their vision to life in a useful and sustainable way. They also work hard to find the most efficient and cost effective construction methods to create a building that will stand the test of time.

Not every building will be built on the cutting edge of technological innovation, but the unique touch of the designer can show through in the subtle use of materials and methods that make a building one of a kind.

The Details Make the Design

A design stands or falls on the details. The types of fasteners used in construction, the way doors close silently behind users, the placement of ledges and other design elements that add to the comfort and usability of a building—all of these details are part of the architectural planning that goes into the building process.

And designers don’t just sweat the details in the planning stages. A great designer stays hands-on throughout the lifespan of a project to ensure that the best possible quality of materials and craftsmanship go into the building from start to finish.

Put Your Signature on the Skyline

At George Armour Ewart, Architect, every plan begins with a deep understanding and appreciation for what makes a great design. We consider how each building will resonate with its users and with the larger community around it to carefully plan every design element. That’s how we deliver an experience that’s unique and purposeful for every design-build.

Looking to put your stamp on architecture in your own community? We welcome interest from architects, designers, and project managers at any level. If you work best in a fast-paced environment and enjoy being an active part of history-in-the-making, we’d love to hear from you. 

Get in touch on our site here or email us at info@georgeewart.com to learn about any open positions and see if a role with us is right for you!

November 16, 2022 | Commercial, Culture, Landscapes | No Comments