Creating Authenticity

by Jonathan McGaha | April 30, 2015 12:00 am

Architecture is a point of view, a way of seeing the world and experiencing it. As we create architecture, we are creating values in the way humans engage the built environment. With every project, I question myself if we are enhancing this experience. Whether it’s the building’s owner, users or merely passer-byes, I ask are we impacting these people in a positive way? With time and experience, my thoughts on what defines great architecture continue to evolve. As I start to look at the projects that I feel are powerful and impactful, there is one common thread in all of them: authenticity.

Authenticity is complex and sometimes hard to identify in architecture. It pertains to many elements including form, material, originality, character, context and concept. When I think about what people truly enjoy and seek in life and how that translates to architecture, I see a migration towards authenticity in many aspects. We want our food to be organic and locally raised or farmed, we want our beer and spirits to be locally crafted, we want the clothing to be ethically made and of quality material, we want our vacations to immerse us into local culture, and, generally, we are drawn to genuine and sincere people. We want everything to have a story behind it so that we are sure it stands for something.

Historically, authenticity has been defined by originality; that of which is unique and not reproduced. With technological advances in the manufacturing of materials in the construction industry today, reproduction and artificiality is almost unavoidable due to the economy of mass production. How then do we create authenticity within these confines of artificiality and reproduction? The interrelationships of the parts to the whole of the project become important in creating this unique and authentic piece of architecture.

A successful project begins with a story. Creating a story for a project gives meaning to it and helps guide it through its development while establishing goals and guidelines for each design decision. A sincere concept that reveals itself throughout the project, from massing to the details, can reinforce the idea. On my project (while at former architectural firm DLR Group[1], Chicago) with Adjustable Forms Inc.,[2] Lombard, Ill., by collaborating with the client we created a story that drove all the decisions. The project concept was a reflection of the owner’s work as a concrete contractor. The building became a sculptural element that showcased the client’s talents in the field of concrete and it became an exploration of the material and its process. It was the story behind the project that created that authentic experience and uniqueness in the design.

A project’s response to its context is important to make it feel in and of its place. Whether the project accepts or rejects its context, making that direct statement gives the project a unique relationship to its surroundings. Contextual design relationships can be achieved through a variety of elements including materiality, style, details, form, orientation, adjacencies, etc. With the trend towards developing and reinvigorating old historic warehouse districts in many major cities, contextual design becomes a driving factor in many of the new buildings and renovations. Generally, we are drawn to these areas because of their rustic and authentic character. With many of these structures being of historic significance, development is often encouraged to either keep existing structures or new structures be designed to relate to the neighborhood’s surrounding gritty textural qualities.

At Chicago-based GREC Architects[3], we have several projects underway in the city’s West Loop that reflects these design challenges. We focus on the use of material, detail and style to create a harmonious and authentic relationship to the surrounding context. It’s also important in these instances to suggest truthfulness in the design. Simply copying a style from decades ago creates a fakeness that cannot be concealed. A great design takes cues from its context and incorporates those elements into a design that portrays a style of current architecture.

Materiality is important to both the story and the context. Architectural expression becomes possible through sensational and tactile experiences. The use of material can enhance one’s experience of the built environment while the authenticity of a detail can reinforce the author’s intention and idea. These design elements at a human scale is what we experience immediately. Materials create an ambience and provide texture and substance to the overall architecture. Material generates form, structure and surface of a space; it filters, reflects or obstructs light; it allows surfaces for walking, sitting or climbing; it allows comfort and enjoyment. Materiality has a multitude of influences on us as users. An understanding of construction methods is crucial as it is in the details that the architectural idea can be revealed.

Creating authenticity in architecture is something I believe contributes value and meaning to a building while enhancing a user’s experience and engagement of the built environment. Just as with life, art, food and music, authenticity is not always easy to achieve. In an industry where tight budgets drive many decisions, it’s even more so. Creating authenticity through the relationships of material, detail, context and concept we can find sincere and meaningful architecture.

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Nathan Casteel, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is an architect with GREC Architects, Chicago. To learn more, visit
www.grecstudio.com[4].

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/creating-authenticity/

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