Darren is the Director at TEAM Architects Ltd in Palmerston North. He was invited to speak at a Partner's Evening, where he shared how communities benefit from good architecture. His wife Susanna supported him during the event. Darren explained that true architecture involves designing with historical significance in mind. This includes the past, present, and future history of a place. Architecture represents who we are, where we come from, how people perceive us, and where we want to be. A good architect takes the time to understand their client's identity and produces a design that reflects their meaning.
Renaissance architecture represented enlightenment and beauty that embraced science, modernism celebrated "less is more", and post-modernism believed "less is a bore"
During the event, Darren gave a tour of architecture through the ages and explained the significance of architecture during each period. For instance, pyramids were designed to ensure pharaohs lived on after their life, Greek architecture communicated a belief in divinity through perfection, Renaissance architecture represented enlightenment and beauty that embraced science, modernism celebrated "less is more", and post-modernism believed "less is a bore"!
Attendees were asked to draw a picture of a house they would have likely drawn when they were 3 years old. Surprisingly, most people drew a single-story, square-shaped house with two windows, a central door, a triangular roof, a chimney with smoke, a winding path, and some trees or flowers. Darren explained that chimneys and hearths symbolise home in Western culture, dating back to medieval times. Overall, the event provided valuable insights into the history and meaning of architecture.