Archipella Studios

non Natural solutions. 'True Green Design' are solutions that Nature understands due to the vibratory harmony that occurs when we use materials and measures that speak the Language of Nature contrary to artificial materials and methods that rely on green labels and dubious claims instead. The evolution of synthetic technologies follows a pattern of extraction, processing and synthesizing that is escalating out of control. As a student of Marshall McCluhan and his paradigm shifting book called Understanding Media, I deeply sense the identity crisis that technology brings when we experience the ghost (ourselves) in the machine. All expressions are ‘extensions’ of our bio-intlligence awareness, including Architecture. The word Architecture does not refer to drawings or construction or style. The practice of Architecture demands a generalist approach and highly resilient people who can hear life stories and integrate these stories with cultural contexts, and often severe environmental variables, on time and on budget. Clients are often people who think that Architecture refers to drawing, construction or style, and care little about the community within which they will eventually reside. Clients are not obligated to care about 'Architecture' though I do require that those I work with know the difference. There is no greater venue where our values are captured and our personalities are defined than the world wherein we dwell. You are what you eat, who you follow and where you live. Consider the appearance of buildings that are merely functional. Black boxes perhaps? Consider what buildings stripped of their ornament would be reduced to? What if we all had were three kitchen styles to choose from? Any of these scenarios are undesirable but when asked the question “What are you thinking about” with regards to design preferences, the answers always appeal to one of these three conditions: Function, Style or Catalog. I am providing evidence here that the options are vast and integrate your highest wishes, health and the community. Nobody goes to a doctor and tells them the correct procedure or supplies a lawyer with a legal precedent. These professionals are expected to offer expert protection for health and habeus corpus. Architecture also provides protection but crosses over into the subjective realm including the world of windows and walls that are accessible and familiar and can be discussed with confidence as if the Architecture is resolved and the drawing can commence. Many feel that they know ‘Exactly what I want’ when speaking with an architect and that it's our role to create blueprints of their functionalist, stylistic or catalogued ideas and nothing more. There are books and services that provide ready made plans if that is what you want, but othewise why ask for architectural assistance and then tell them what to do? I had a prospective client tell me, with arms outstretched, looking upwards and slowly spinning in circles that he wants the feel of a grand space with high ceilings. From that expert description, what shall be drawn? Where is the property and what are the budget constraints? Is this a dark or an illuminated space? What do you intend to do in this room with high ceilings and are there to be any additional rooms plus 500 other questions? His face became blank because the Architecture had not yet been defined. With a sudden and renewed enthusiasm he said, "I wanna see what you can do," which essentially means I have no idea and is the preferred place to start. From there we discussed emotions and goals, favorite colors, practical requirements, the size of tth garage and the main use of the house and evolved what architects call a Program. A program is essentially a menu of rooms and their relationships to each other. An 11,000 s.f. house on a hill in Jamaica was the result. To describe a building, how you want to feel in a space is more important than the style or the function initially. Architecture is a 4th skin, an extension not unlike clothing and spirit, that resonantly defines us. We are altared and entranced as our energy and senses pulse outwards and back again, usually without notice, but we remember an empowering spatial experience like a good friend. What if walls, ceilings and openings could be made not only to address your sensual preferences but also to sustain a resonant dialogue with your body and draw upon the healthful energies of the landscape and cosmos beyond. Does that sound Si-Fi? It's far less so than the magic that is your smart phone but unknown to us because we have come to rely upon technology and have forgotten our inseparable connection to Nature. I am introducing Archipella Studios in the spirit of the long lost art of Resonant Architecture. Our services include standard industry procedures plus all the bells and whistles that very cool high technology has to offer. We integrate though healthful concepts that balance property values with Human Value, that utilizes spatial typologies such as galleries and courtyards, that situates buildings with regards to Whole Ley (Holy) Lines and formulates spaces whose proportions are in vibratory resonance with your residence and it does not cost any more than Function, Style or Catalog. Take a look at our web site with particular attention to the Health and Cymatics Studios. As an independent researcher, I have been engaged by alternative medical solutions since I finished my Masters in Architecture over 20 years ago. Secretly, I have utilizes this knowledge to better understand the Nature of how Nature makes form. Using both high technology and low technology, general harmonic proportioning systems and body specific proportioning systems, we avert the Nature metaphors and place you in resonant dialogue with your building and its spaces and the Natural context within which the building dwells. Our process includes the drawings and property research and visits to the building department as well meetings with engineers and other consultants plus bidding and construction administration, but what I want to know from you is, do you want 'Architecture' and do you want an Architecture that Heals and Harmonizes? Healing requires balance and flow and an environment that silently sings. Archipella Studios is named after the concept that a building is music and sings without accompaniment though perhaps part of a band now and again. It's my desire to allow Architecture to matter again and to reintegrate the magic that has been lost to synthetic commerce. Did you know that wood burning fireplaces are no longer permitted in California due to toxic smoke? What have we done boys & girls? Let's get back to basics and let Nature be Natural again. www.archipellastudios.com