Beams of desert sun breaking between the mountains, entering the master bedroom suite. Modern Villa, Monte Sereno, Palm Springs, California, by Poon Design (photo by Lance Gerber)
Take ten minutes and get ten thoughts for your design project.
Besides architecture, these ten thoughts can apply to many other pursuits, from graphic design to gardening, from composing music to creating life itself. (All designs by Anthony Poon and/or Poon Design Inc.)
1. LIGHT
An entry hall welcomes the morning light. Residence G, Linea, Palm Springs, California, by Poon Design (photo by The Agency)
Luminosity, natural or artificial, places a static environment into motion.
2. PATTERN
Color bands of brick and concrete on the walls, with color bands of slate on the roof. DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, by Anthony Poon (w/ HHPA, photo by HHPA)
Give your surroundings pace and tempo. Rhythm isn’t just for music.
3. COLOR
Shower tile: four shades of green glass tiles by Ann Sacks. S/B House, Encino, California, by Poon Design (photo by Poon Design)
Colors make surfaces recede or stand out. At turns, colors soothe and enliven.
4. CRAFT
Vaudeville signage and reclaimed wood planks, with blackened custom steel details. Mendocino Farms, Los Angeles, California, by Poon Design (photo by Poon Design)
A thoughtful, well-constructed project will last a lifetime, and even change in meaning over time.
5. TEXTURE
Textures of ground face and split face concrete block, vertical redwood siding and corrugated galvanized metal siding. Special Education classroom, Feather River Academy, Yuba City, California, by Anthony Poon (w/ A4E, photo by Gregory Blore)
Texture gives the body something to touch and the eye something to eat.
6. SURPRISE
A cow makes a surprising appearance, as well as vibrant wallcovering within. Arcadia Residence, Escena, Palm Springs, California, by Poon Design (photo by Lance Gerber)
Unexpected moments deliver flair and amazement. Predictable architecture is boring.
7. SCALE
A mix of scales: small classrooms within a big atrium. Herget Middle School, West Aurora, Illinois, by Anthony Poon (w/ A4E, photo by Mark Ballogg)
Grand scale is heroic. Small scale is intimate. Choose the appropriate scale for the activity in mind.
8. HUMOR
Two unlikely bright colors make up a stimulating composition. Roberto Lane, Bel Air, California, by Poon Design (photo by Anthony Poon)
Why can’t architecture have wit, irony and charm? It should.
9. COURAGE
Gateway to the city. Proposed new Reds Baseball Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, by Anthony Poon (w/ NBBJ, photo by John Lodge)
Chase your dreams. Don’t be timid. And it might take some guts and perseverance to get results.
10. PLEASURE
Private dining areas as glowing lanterns. Chaya Downtown, Los Angeles, California, by Poon Design (rendering by Biolinia)
Good design should challenge you and please you. Architecture might test you, but know that delight and satisfaction are close.
