Stanley Cauchi - Task 4 Essay

Stanley Cauchi academic studies were mainly concentrated on Baroque architecture, architecture and conservation. Therefore Stanley stated that his main influences in design were mainly directed to the Age of Humanism, Reneaissance and Baroque periods. He also mentioned the fact that in Malta we can find a good number of Late baroque structures. However he also stated that his studies do not reflect his designs directly, rather when designing a project he uses them to sets the basics for his target. An interesting fact about his style is that when he designs or applies some renovations on an old building he tends to use a minimalist style, this technique is done in order to create a smooth contrast, another reason he does so is so that the new extension or alterations do not have a bold impact on the project as a whole.

Above is an example of how the facades are done in old cities with many ristrictions, in this example the shop is lacated in Valletta, meaning that most of the architecture are classical and baroque. Stanley's task is to implement a facade without making a bold impact. In the example above he applies a classical style to the facade, but on the other hand the fact that it is left clean, with out heavy decorative ornamentation's he is including minimalist style making the new facade blend perfectly.   

 His main source of inspiration in designing a project is rhythm, sacred geometry, symmetry, proportion and balance. These were his main topics in his academic studies and went on to be his main foundation when designing. He stated that when renovating, one main source of inspiration is to create a design which can cater for today's needs and to keep in mind that it will provide practical functionality. In fact speaking about functionality a person who really inspired him was Le Corbusier, whom was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner, writer and one of the pioneers of what is called modern architecture. Le Corbusier. He maid an number of projects around the world, ranging from Europe, India, and the Americas. What motivated him most about how Le Corbusier was dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities, he was also influential in urban planning, and was a founding member of the Congres internationsl d'architecture moderne (CIAM). He also mentioned the master plan fot the city of Chandigarhin in India, and also contributed specific designs for several buildings their. The city was built on the prime ministers demand as he believed it will be the symbol of the nations's faith in the future. 

The five points of architecture

Stanley also stated one of the key architectural techniques which Le Corbusier used in his designs. It was Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye (1929–31) that most succinctly summed up the five points of architecture that he had elucidated in L'Esprit Nouveau and the book Vers une architecture, which he had been developing throughout the 1920s. First, Le Corbusier lifted the bulk of the structure off the ground, supporting it by pilots, reinforced concrete stilts. These pilots, while providing the structural support for the house, allowed him to elucidate his next two points: a free façade, meaning non-supporting walls that could be designed as the architect desired, and an open floor plan, meaning that the floor space was free to be configured into rooms without concern for supporting walls. The second floor of the Villa Savoye had long strips of ribbon windows that allow unencumbered views of the large surrounding garden, and which constitute the fourth point of his system. The fifth point was the roof garden to compensate for the green area consumed by the building and replacing it on the roof. A ramp rising from ground level to the third-floor roof terrace allows for an architectural promenade through the structure. The white tubular railing recalls the industrial "ocean-liner" aesthetic that Le Corbusier much admired.

It was really interesting and knowledgeable speaking to Stanley as he was willing to help and explain what design and architecture really meant to him and his career. I also learnt new things such as the five points of architecture, the way old building are introduced to minimalist styles and also the will that Le Corbusier had to change the way to build our future.