How to Not Let Pinterest Make Us Dumber…
Mindful Design #09
Image by Thorsten Deckler
Welcome to the ninth edition of the Mindful Design Newsletter in which we have a bone to pick with Pinterest, and share some inspo from Madrid and closer to home.
But first Pinterest. I'm so over it! The visual overload makes it near impossible to figure out what's legit and what's just flashy crap. Great design, the kind that truly elevates your spirit, can't be captured in a photo, no matter how hard it’s AI-ed or Photoshopped...
The good news is that great design is all around us. The bad news is we often can’t see it because our brains are clogged by visual flotsam. So, it takes some effort to recognize great design, but once you see it you can’t freaking unsee it because it changes you.
As an architect and a visual person, I’m even more prone to visual overconsumption and the bloaty feeling of a rich meal devoid of nourishment. But I’ve found my antidote: drawing and writing the hell out of what floats my boat. And so far, it’s paying off.
I just came back from a family trip to Spain, Germany, and Austria with three sketchbooks full of drawings and pillaged stickers, and want to share an insight with you that blew my mind a little bit!
Image: The Columbo File Blog
What does this mean for you, the receiver of this missive?
Think of me as your personal Columbo, detecting great design that will get you out of that Pinterest rabbit hole and remind you of the joy and power of solutions understood and well solved. To be honest, I am doing this as much for me as for you.
So, let me spill the tea on the Madrid window...
The Madrid Window
You can't walk two steps without coming across not just one, but whole streets lined with them. I didn't even realize how ubiquitous these windows were until I sketched one across the street and suddenly, bam, they're everywhere - each one offering a peek into a different slice of life. Why are they so freaking cool? Well, they are windows, doors, and balconies all in one. The balconies let you take part in the theater of the street. The shutters control light, air, and privacy (and your mood). The extra tallness lets in light and views of the sky.
So popular is the Madrid window, that you’ll be hard-pressed to find any other window in the city. They form the backdrop and backbone of Madrid's urban life and atmosphere, giving each building its own identity while creating a coherent whole. Sorry for the archi-speak. What I’m trying to say is the windows are freaking genius!
Our neighbour’s husky- Image: Heather Mason
Many of the buildings I saw are pretty ordinary. They present a wall with openings to the street. But the openings are where the magic happens, inside and out, and that is the Madrid window for you!
Simple things that make us feel good don’t always jump out and scream “DESIGN”. Writing this reminds me of why it's so damn important to give your scrolling finger a break, get out there and experience a place firsthand. And let's not forget the power of putting pen to paper, because that's how we unpack our thoughts, gain fresh insights, and reconnect with some vital truths.
Back to the Wilderness
Coming back to Joburg was an epic bummer! I missed roaming walkable streets, eating delicious food in cute restaurants, and hanging out with my family.
I got a bit of a lift when I joined S and F on the roof of their new house. They are creating a family home in one of Joburg’s leafy, older suburbs. Both hail from the lush coastal province of KwaZulu Natal and are looking for ways to incorporate some of the natural wildness they miss into their everyday lives.
So what?
Both the Madrid window and the Joburg sky are so common, we don’t even notice them. It takes a little effort to remind ourselves of what is good and what has lasting value in our lives. The problem of looking at images is that they don’t convey the full picture: why and how a space was created, what it costs, how it works, and what it feels like at different times of the day. Most images of architecture are devoid of people and the messiness of everyday life. They are highly staged, photoshopped illusions made to manipulate our emotions, and I hate that they distract us from what is vital about living in this world.
When you are in the beginning stages of a project, Pinterest is a go-to resource. But also try to think about what is important to you and why. Building is expensive and complicated, no matter what ‘experts’ tell you. Work out what will make you happy now, so that you have a lighthouse to guide you, your loved ones and your team through the thousands of high and low-stakes decisions you need to make from concept to realization.
Here are some tools to help you get started on the right foot:
Project Planning Pack: A workbook to help you figure out what you want and what it will cost.
Expert Call: A free 30-minute call to help you gain clarity on your project an the best step forward.
Needs and Option Review: A video on how to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and not getting what you want.
Image: Timo Deckler
One more thing…
Who comes to Madrid without visiting the Real Madrid Soccer Stadium?! Well, that was almost me, but thanks to my teenage son we made the trip, and wow, was it amazing! The stadium is a multifunctional events machine with the entire soccer pitch stackable underground and replete with growing lights, irrigation, and robot lawnmowers! This allows the arena to be used for other events and spectacles – from pop concerts to basketball tournaments to expos. Being the home of the most successful soccer club in the world means there’s money, and I cannot think of a cooler way to spend it (and make more money) than to build an awesome public venue for your city.
What would you do to make your city cool?
That is a loaded question if you’re a Joburger… Maybe start with a look up to the sky, it’s free after all.
Love, Thorsten
Thorsten Deckler is an architect based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He helps people create spaces that prioritize human well-being by employing the Mindful Design Approach. What distinguishes Thorsten from other architects is integrating mindfulness into his daily practice through drawing, writing, and active listening. You can see his practice’s work at 2610southarchitects.com and more of his sketches on Instagram @thethinking_hand.
