Making Space and the Favorite Place

Another post in the #Architaclks blog post series.

Steam rises from a mug of morning goodness to catch the rays of the rising sun that streak sparingly at their shallow angle through the bay window. The spider fern there bends – reaches and joins a dance as a breeze catches the sheer curtains, briefly billowing into the room.  The morning breeze makes its way over and buffers the rising steam and makes little ripples in the mug before a chill runs through.  Is it a chill of sunrise cold or a tingle of peace and contentment? Maybe it is a shiver brought on by another beautiful spring morning, in that perfect spot on the couch with a hot cup in a great space that has become a favorite place.

Abbé Laugier – Primitive Hut via studylue.com

What does it take to make a space? It does not have to be much. Consider Laugier’s representation of the primitive hut, probably shown to each and every student of architectural history.

What does it take to make a place? Starting with a space and making a place out of it takes a little more. Add some creature comforts, furnishings with color and pattern. Afford some privacy. Provide some shelter. Now this is getting somewhere, and if these place making elements are arranged employing the language, rhythms, harmonies and resonance of good architecture, they might be on the way to making a favorite place.

Think of your favorite place.  Think of places to which you return, maybe on a daily basis, like where you enjoy your morning ritual as in the scene described in the opening.  Maybe some of your favorite places are revisited after a longer wait, like a salty beach cabana, a cozy café table or a quiet corner in the local coffee shop. In all these favorite places, what is it that makes them so special.

A Cozy Outdoor Room via smallgardenlove.com

When I was thinking of that perfect spring morning, again, described in the opening, I remember the qualities of that place, that moment. By dissecting these qualities, we can see how architecture plays a part in making that space a favorite space. Begin with the comfort of that “perfect spot on the couch”.  Realize that is the center of the moment, the point from which the qualities and the place are experienced.  From that spot there is a convenient place to set a mug.  That ensemble sits in a room with a bay window that faces a direction that allows a sliver of morning sun to shine through. The window is operable making way for a breeze. Not only natural ventilation but a means to animate the space with the “billowing” sheer curtains dancing with the spider fern and circling back to the steam rising from the mug.

Favorite places start with good design and architecture that fades with comfort.  It becomes integral to life by becoming a natural extension of living.  Through that ease, the special moments that can happen in these places can take center stage and become those perfect times that become your favorites.  Please take a moment a leave a comment to share one of your favorite spaces and what makes it perfect for you.

Take a look at these posts from all the architects participating in #Architalks … in no particular order:

Enoch Sears, Business of Architecture @businessofarch  Where Do You Like To Go When You Aren’t Working?

Matthew Stanfield, FiELD9: architecture @FiELD9arch Ruby Slippers

Marica McKeel, Studio MM @ArchitectMM Do You Have a Favorite Place?

Lee Calisti, AIA, Think Architect @LeeCalisti  favorite place

Evan Troxel, Archispeak Podcast / TRXL @etroxel  My Favorite Place

Lora Teagarden, L² Design, LLC @L2DesignLLC  ArchiTalks meets #ThisOldHouse

Andrew Hawkins, AIA, Hawkins Architecture, Inc. @hawkinsarch  My Favorite Placein the Wild

Michele Grace Hottel, Michele Grace Hottel, Architect @mghottel Favorite place

Meghana Joshi, IRA Consultants, LLC @MeghanaIRA Oh the Places You’ll Go!

Michael Riscica, Young Architect @YoungArchitxPDX  A Favorite Place

Stephen Ramos, BUILDINGS ARE COOL @sramos_BAC  Cinque Terre

Brian Paletz, The Emerging Architect @bpaletz  Favorite Place(s)

Eric Wittman, intern[life] @rico_w  my [first] favorite place

Jonathan Brown, Proto-Architecture @mondo_tiki_man Favorite Place

Tara Imani, Tara Imani Designs, LLC @Parthenon1   Favorite Place – Architalks 8

Cormac Phalen, Cormac Phalen @archy_type Baltimore

Mark R. LePage, Entrepreneur Architect @EntreArchitect  My Favorite Place

Jeremiah Russell, AIA, ROGUE Architecture @rogue_architect  favorite place: #architalks 5th edition