Discussion: SUPRASTUDIO

http://www.archdaily.com/179570/suprastudio-2012-2013/

Apologies I couldn't embed the video in this post but i had trouble finding the original vimeo file. But if i can ask only one thing of you, watch this video! What a superb summing up of the design studio culture in general, and what a collaboration to work on!

I think the most important thing about the work in this studio is to stress how important it is to have an open mind when designing and considering the outcomes and manifestation of design. A studio that uses Disney (in particular their theme parks) as a case study may seem to some (high modernists beware) as studying the worst in kitsch architecture. I in no way condone this, but this studio shows superbly that when you can understand the principle behind something, that principle can be universally applied to achieve a desired outcome. The manner by which students here have interpreted the work Disney has done in creating such a real, such a finely detailed 'fantasy' world, shows that there is a whole lot to be learnt from an organisation such as Disney.

For those of you who have travelled to any Disney theme park and/or resort will know that the attention to detail, and the ability to immerse the users in a completely unique world is second to none. The hyper realism, and exaggerated interaction with surrounding environments and technology holds true for achieving a superb leisure experience, but can these same principles extend into the everyday? Is there a place for the work that we see here in this studio in built environment? I think that there is, and this studio shows how the principles of Disney can be applied to achieve a built environment that embraces place making, new technology, and a little sprinkling of magic to achieve something truly unique.