Chapter Summary: Alternatives

The middle class placed their homes close together and in the same format as the upper class palaces to resemble their wealth.

    The word alternative refers to the being a different way of utilizing an idea that has already been in place or a completely different avenue or option for an idea. That is exactly what the alternative’s unit encompassed in design history. We delved into the Baroque to Renaissance period and examined how architecture and interiors were transforming into this ideal or moral code of design. We began to look into how the east began to effect the west and see evidence of influence taking place in middle and upper class and the mixing of the two classes. The Pazzi Chapel in Florence, Italy was an example that we as a class looked at and there is evidence there that the front façade resembles the Triumphal Arch and the geometry and decoration reflected the Renaissance period. There were domed spaces and two colored stone as well as being supported by a pendentive from the east. There was such a blend of ideas and methods in this building for the period and it includes all of the various elements and parts that make up this era. Another beautiful example of the alternative’s unit was the Laurentian Library Vestibule and the Piazza Campidoglio which both placed a new focus and idea on design. The vestibule of course focusing on the interior and in a unique sense in that the stairs and windows resembled a waterfall outdoors which allowed for a visual metaphor; knowledge spilling out of the library and out into the world. The Piazza gave a new exterior look with columns that reached from the first floor to the top of the second floor across the building on the building’s corners. These building both show how there were designers and architects that were wanting to break the rules, be creative and really begin thinking outside the box.

     Therefore, this unit was about barriers, breaking barriers and creating new rules for what is in style and what is allowed in the architectural and design world. The mixing of classes as well with the wealthy living in grand palaces and the middle class creating homes in close proximity in the same layout as the upper class housing to appear as though they too, were in a palace. I learned about the blending of classes and the middle class imitation of the upper class society, as well as the wealthy idea of "retreats" or villas and vistas. The “vacation” home away from the city and the fame where the wealthy retreated to for relaxation, as well as those unique homes and their layouts.

All of these major themes and topics could be applied in my studio and drawing class. I was able to pull from historical buildings and the idea of seating and meeting places as a form of importance and having a “retreat” into my perspective drawing of an apartment space that included: a kitchen, a den and a kitchen table area. I used a modern way of fusing these old ideas of having luxurious things that resemble the upper class, areas to mingle but also the idea of a villa and comfort inside the home rather than a second home away from home. I used muted pop colors such as fresh lime green and pale yellows to place amongst burnt orange, deep browns and beige’s and army green fabrics, accessories and furniture. I have a mixture of inexpensive and some higher end elements that make the space appear to be more expensive than it would actually be to create this sense of luxury and retreat from the day to day work place and business of the outside world. In studio I created some linear structures that were aligned with set rules and regulations but added decorative touches to them in order to allow for this sense of Renaissance to take precedent.

        Finally, alternatives have now become the precedent for design and design movements of our time. We are less about the rules and more so about the endless opportunities to create something new. I feel as though some designers really do stay within guidelines and boundaries as they did in the past and do not entertain the idea of thinking outside the box. I feel that this is a shame because I have learned so much about what it means to pull inspiration from around the world and to not stay complacent in one set idea for everything I design this semester. I cannot imagine limiting myself when there is so much to learn from our history and so much history left to create.