Discussion: Steven Holl speaketh the truth

AD Interviews: Steven Holl from ArchDaily on Vimeo.
I came across this article on archdaily.com, a superb little interview with Steven Holl. I highly recommend you watch it, as well as the other architect interviews contained on archdaily to get an understanding of contemporary architectural practice today, as well as more general feeling regarding architecture and some select projects. My favourite question is when 'what is architecture' is asked, as most architects tend to laugh in some sort 'hahahah i have no idea' way.

I really think what Holl says about the 'experience' of architecture is of utmost importance. What i said before about architecture being the medium by which we understand the world ties in with this experiential dimension of architecture. In the forefront of an architects mind when designing should be the very experience of being in a building, but this is often the hardest to grasp and manifest. However, the reward of being inside a building that is awe inspiring, and has a beautiful relationship of spaces through experience of volume, light, materials etc. is truly something special. This could be seen as the counter to image driven architecture of which many contemporaries are lamenting.

I remember the first time i stepped into the Opera House many years ago, or when I visited 1111 Lincoln Road (Herzog and DeMueron), i was touched in such a profound way by the experience of being inside the buildings. The variances in scale, the tactility and the overall ambiance truly transformed my understanding of what architecture should be about.