In Defense of Ornament

“We arrange around us material forms which communicate to us what we need - but are at constant risk of forgetting we need... " Alain de Botton, The architecture of Happiness.  

Acute ornamental deficiency

If only the jetpack commuter of the 21^st century were a stunning reality today, then indeed, _Ornament and craft in our surroundings could be regard with derision.

Yet, here we are - 2013, and we’re still confined to a sluggish planar existence of sidewalks and streets. Fortunately, with increased appreciation by designers and planners that a livable city is comprised of suitable, dignified and pleasing pedestrian realms, it’s , therefore fiting at this juncture to reconsider the visual austerity and monotony, which mid-century architecture enfolded considerable portion of our pedestrian sphere.  Adage such as; Less is More and Ornament is Crime, inspired a reductive, even dehumanizing aesthetic which came to dominate the “modernized” quarters of cities. To some extent, these conditions were and remain, largely, a response to the preeminence of private automobiles and the difficulties of storing so much steel and rubber; nonetheless, a renaissance of walkable cities should herald a responsive architectonics suited to a bipedal creature which posssesses an inherent penchant for stimulating environments.  

Even before permanent settlements or the concept of a built environment, there’s been a longing to replicate aspects of the natural or dream worlds in our surroundings.

Minimalism is a lofty objective for some design professionals. However, this principle seems incongruent with human nature. Almost instinctively youngsters eschew coloring books and take their creative expression to the alluring qualities of a blank wall.   

Significant ornamentation (mosque) - Not even divine mandates restricting the use of some imagery restrained human’s fanciful imagination. Manmade structure seem destined to approximate the richness and complexity of the natural world. 

Alongside the Classical Orders, architectural aesthetics have made extensive use of a variety of flora and fauna motifs.

No funtional application - a diminutive scroll pattern for the amusement of the keen passersby

Vandalism or art?

Certainly no consensus for the foreseeable future, nevertheless, today’s graffiti aesthetic owes its appeal, in large part, to urban decay and to the purveyors of mediocrity as novel design.