On Architecture, Space, and Place

Village, Space, Place

“The village is more than a mere picture; it’s shaped by the people who live there. Therefore, the village is constantly evolving. As an architect, I must play an active role in this transformation.”
(Gion A. Caminada in conversation with Tibor Joanelly, Werk, Bau + wohnen 3/21)

“A space is either political or poetic, without boundaries – like a landscape. The wolf, for instance, is part of our living space. A place shapes identity. A place must be created.”

Searching and Perceiving
“You feel as though you’re uncovering the promise of a better world. Somewhere between the two poles of reality and utopia, an initial path to a solution emerges. Confidence grows as new insights come to light, yet skepticism rears its head. And that’s how it should be – doubt is a sound trailblazer!” 

“When bringing an idea to life, the first step is to understand and grasp the various realities. This means identifying the common ground that connects different perspectives.” 

“Architecture begins with a thoughtfully conceived fundamental idea.” 

“Maistra is the quest for something that mesmerizes me… perhaps essentialism?”

Beauty, Aesthetics, Impact

“There’s plenty of architecture that is aesthetically well-executed yet lacks impact. Only architecture that resonates with us truly leaves a mark.” 

“Architecture is powerful. It tells a story.” 

“Emotions are an integral part of architecture – architecture as culture.” 

“A house lives with its inhabitants, and they live with the house. That’s how a sense of home is born.”
 

Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity 

“I believe architecture should and must be shaped by a variety of disciplines. That’s why I’m drawn to transdisciplinary work, rather than interdisciplinary, which tends to merely skim the surface.”

“Architecture exists at the intersection of multiple fields. On one hand, it’s rooted in science – the architect must grasp the fundamentals of structural engineering and building physics. From there, an understanding of material and construction naturally evolves, culminating in the creation of space. In architecture that strives to create truly livable spaces, these technical elements are seamlessly intertwined with meaning, emotions, and human experiences. It’s the fusion of these dimensions that gives rise to a rich architectural culture.”

 

Reading
“Reading is a source of inspiration for me. What I read – often several books at once – always connects to my work, whether it’s philosophical, sociological, or historical. For me, that’s the essence of transdisciplinary thinking.”
(Gion A. Caminada interviewed by El Croquis on January 16, 2020)

Writing
“I believe writing is incredibly important. It’s a vital design tool. When I hit a roadblock while sketching, I turn to writing. It helps nudge things into place. Writing is much like designing – it creates a framework of ideas where different fragments can be arranged and brought together.”
(Gion A. Caminada interviewed by El Croquis on January 16, 2020)