2nd Studio Podcast: The Value of Architecture

The Second Studio (formerly The Midnight Charette) is a podcast explicitly about design, architecture, and everyday life. Hosted by architects David Lee and Marina Bourdelone, it features unscripted conversations between a variety of creative professionals, allowing for thoughtful input and personal discussion.

A variety of subjects are covered with honesty and humor. Some episodes are interviews, others are tips for fellow designers, reviews of buildings and other projects, and casual explorations of everyday life and design. Second Studio is also available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.

This week, David and Marina from FAME Architecture & Design discuss their stay at Lighthus, a vacation rental designed by William Liow of AIA's Peripherie Design Studio. These two cover topics such as home design, the value of architecture, communicating with clients, and the work of architects.

Highlights and timestamps

(00:00) Acoustics, fountains, flooring

(15:13) Appreciating how modern architecture is made

(21:20) Value of architecture

I see a lot of houses with crazy monetary values ​​attached to them, but I don't understand what the actual value is. […] Sure, a home has an economic value associated with it, but it's primarily supposed to be about supporting your daily life and doing it well. If not, it's not home.

Unfortunately, most of the houses are in disrepair. It's not just about the quality of the architecture, but also about how it feels and how it functions as a machine for life. What that means is that most people don't really know what it feels like to be in a well-designed space because that's all they've ever experienced. You're selling something that you haven't felt yet, so it's going to be very difficult to convey, and you almost have to experience it.

(27:27) Communication architecture.

(41:47) Cultural value of architecture

At school, we are taught to think about how architecture is a very important part of society and culture, and that as architects we are creating something that contributes to both. Therefore, architecture is an expression of contemporary culture, a critique of culture, and a way to move culture forward. Let's think about it. Most people who work as architects may only be building simple and beautiful houses, but the seeds of that idea have been planted in their minds since their school days. Once that idea is in, it never leaves, and every architect wants that. However, this part of architecture and architects is probably the least well-known among clients looking to hire an architect.

Check out previous editions of The Second Studio Podcast.