Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that values the beauty of imperfection, transience, and simplicity. Its roots are in the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence and the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Wabi-Sabi has become increasingly popular in contemporary design, art, and architecture, influencing Western aesthetics and design practices. In this essay, I will explore the origins, principles, … Continue reading What is the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic?
Urban Stories – Montreal Walls – Twenty-Two
See more of Montreal Walls... Take a look through a few travel guides for what might be considered signature sights of Montreal and you will undoubtedly find reference to the spiralling, metal staircases on the outsides of many of our urban residences. Le Plateau de Montreal is an excellent place to find many, many examples … Continue reading Urban Stories – Montreal Walls – Twenty-Two
Whitewashing – Montreal Walls – Seventeen
See more of Montreal Walls... Living in the Northeast of Canada has it's pros and cons... weather is usually a lot of both, especially here in Montreal where we can have dramatic weather systems changing throughout any given day, as well as vast temperature fluctuations between days. This adds a specific kind of challenge to … Continue reading Whitewashing – Montreal Walls – Seventeen
Urban Renewal – Montreal Walls – Fifteen
See more of Montreal Walls... Down from the Basilica on Francois Xavier in Old Montreal, you can get a glimpse of both the amazing bricks used in construction over a hundred years ago and how the city developers have preserved the facades of old buildings. Juxtaposed with these old facades are very modern additions that … Continue reading Urban Renewal – Montreal Walls – Fifteen
Recycled Centuries – Montreal Walls – Thirteen
See more of Montreal Walls... Montreal is a port city founded over 375 years ago and the building materials were readily gathered from the land of the island, as well as the iron rich, sturdy slate, and granite core of this dormant volcano we live on. In the older parts of the city, the foundations … Continue reading Recycled Centuries – Montreal Walls – Thirteen
Obey The City – Montreal Walls – Eleven
See more of Montreal Walls... So much of the city has changed in my lifetime. Take this wall which now overlooks a small parking lot. Once there was a building that housed on its main floor, various music oriented pawn shops and stores, a refuge for musicians from all over the world visiting our city … Continue reading Obey The City – Montreal Walls – Eleven
Grates or Gates – Montreal Walls – Ten
See more of Montreal Walls... The foundations and corner stones around the older edifices of the city often seem incongruent with the buildings they support and I'm sure if I were to do a little research, I'd find images of the original structures. I often let my imagination run free and wonder if the original … Continue reading Grates or Gates – Montreal Walls – Ten
Old Materials Are Still More Beautiful – Five – Montreal Walls Project
See the following posts for the first 8 wall photos: One - An intro to Wabi-Sabi; Two - Wabi Sabi Reds; Three - Remnants; Four - Natural Variations; Six - Bricks; Seven - Giving In; Eight - Imperfect Beauty; Nine - Textured Landscapes. Oddly, I am unable to locate the fifth posting. So, I will … Continue reading Old Materials Are Still More Beautiful – Five – Montreal Walls Project
Creative Blocks – Grey Sunshine
We can find the most amazing things to see when walking to clear the mind. Concrete has always fascinated me, literally. The greys are almost always warm when dry and they feel both solid and ephemeral at the same time... as if they could be crumbled to dust with an unexpected tap to the right … Continue reading Creative Blocks – Grey Sunshine
A little good news — about the future of architecture
I hope all buildings become like this! http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/farmscraper-schenzen-china-hydroponics/
The New Renaissance Mindset 