Within both architecture and industrial design there is a long tradition of being both inspired by and re-use design elements of existing buildings and products. This is the case even if many architects and industrial designers argue that they are primarily using their creativity to create new and novel design solutions.
Some architects and industrial designers have openly led themselves be inspired by existing building and products traditions, and have even used this inspiration as the main base for their designs solutions.
This design tradition has a considerable history, which can be indicated in many of the labels associated with this tradition; this includes labels such as Classicism
in the The Arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seeks to emulate….
Vernacular, Restoration and Preservation etc. In addition, as indicated in the previous section “Classic, Traditional and Vernacular aesthetics”, an important element of this tradition is to re-use and be inspired by already existing aesthetical elements and styles. However, the traditional approach also implies other aspects such as functional aspects, preserving existing building traditions as well as individual buildings and products.
The Traditional Design Values category, consisting of three distinct values.
The tradition based design value
This relies on a belief that traditional “designs” are the preferred typology and template for buildings and products, because they “create” timeless and “functional” designs. Within this design value there are three main strategies:
Critical traditionalist/regionalist i.e. interpreting the traditional typologies and templates and applying them in an abstracted modern vocabulary.
Revivalists i.e. adhering to the most literal traditional form.
Contextualists whom use historical forms when the surroundings “demands” it.
The design value of restoration and preservation
This is based on a commitment to preserve the best of buildings and products for future generations. This design value tends to represent restoring a building or product to its initial design and is usually rooted in three perspectives. These are:
An archaeological perspective (i.e. preserving buildings and products of historical interest).
An artistic perspective i.e. a desire to preserve something of beauty.
A social perspective (i.e. a desire to hold on to the familiar and reassuring).
The vernacular design value
This value is based on a belief that a simple life and its design, closely linked to nature, are superior to that of modernity. The design value of Vernacular
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorise methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs….
includes key concept such as:
Reinvigorating tradition (i.e. evoking the vernacular).
Reinventing tradition i.e. the search for new paradigms.
Extending tradition i.e. using the vernacular in a modified manner.
Reinterpreting tradition i.e. the use of contemporary idioms.
This value is based on a belief that a building and product should be designed from timeless principles that transcend particular designers, cultures and climates. Implicit in this design value is the notion that if these forms are used, the public will appreciate a structure’s timeless beauty and understand immediately how to use a given building or product. This design value is also linked to regional differences i.e. varying climate etc. and folklore cultures, which creates distinctive, aesthetic expressions.