Architects in Alberta
Architecture & Metaphysics: A Personal Journey BY DAVID ROTH
ONE DAY IN New York changed my life. I met a man whose passport said he was a clairvoyant. He explained how he used extrasensory perception to solve crimes for police forces around the world. His experiences appeared to be credible and I started looking for books about extrasensory perception, which in turn led to a whole range of esoteric subjects. For several months I was obsessed with reading all I could. At one point, I was ready to quit a 20-year career in architecture to explore what I referred to as metaphysics. Then one day I picked up a book, The Poetry of Architecture, given to me by a friend years earlier. The first paragraph of the introduction ended like this: If we consider how much less the beauty and majesty of a building depends upon its pleasing certain prejudices of the eye, than upon its rousing certain trains of meditation in the mind, it will show in a moment how many intricate questions of feeling are involved in the raising of an edifice; it will convince us of the truth of a proposition, which might at first have appeared startling, that no man can be an architect, who is not a metaphysician. – Written in 1840 and published in 1890 by Kata Phusin conjectured nom-de-plume of John Ruskin. I was hooked. I started looking for ways I could apply what I was learning about metaphysics to my design work. So far, I have identified nine areas where metaphysical principles can be applied to architecture and interior design: creativity, geomancy, advocacy architecture, symbolism, numerology, sacred architecture, philosophical geometry, the Tao of architecture and colour. 1. Creativity comes from the super conscious and can be called forth through dreams and meditation. 2. Geomancy refers to the use of subtle energy fields within the earth, such as ley lines, aquastats and vortices, to create architecture that makes us feel better and more in tune with our surroundings. 3. Advocacy architecture uses the positive spiritual energy of the users, planners, designers and contractors to create a more responsive, sensitive and appreciated project. 4. Symbols that have significance to the owners/occupants may be subtly incorporated into the design of a building. This can subconsciously reinforce underlying spiritual beliefs. 5. Numerology, which is based on the notion that numbers have different vibration frequencies with inherent powers and meanings, can be used to create better architecture. 6. Sacred architecture refers to buildings that are designed to reflect man’s spiritual power and energy in physical form. 7. Philosophical geometry is based on the observation that proportional relationships in natural forms are naturally beautiful because they reflect the principles of the cosmic order. 8. The Tao of architecture is an investigation into the negative space created by architectural form as a meaningful creative exercise generated from the philosophy of Lao-tzu. 9. Colour, being another form of vibrational energy, affects us emotionally, speaking the language of the soul. I believe we are all on a spiritual quest to understand ourselves, life and the universe. I like to find clients who are spiritually aware and looking for a way to incorporate this significant part of their lives into the design of their home. For those who are involved with this spiritual journey, crafting the world around themselves to reflect and reinforce those beliefs becomes an important part of their lives. So, what makes metaphysical architecture different than any other well designed building? Quite simply, the end product is more meaning-
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DESIGN QUARTERLY | SPRING 2007
The circular form in the ceiling, the light fixture and the countertop symbolizes and reinforces the idea of the family circle, a place to meet, eat, relax and talk about the day.
ful to the client, it embodies important aspects of the client’s beliefs and is a constant reminder and affirmation of their purpose in life. Some buildings get close to that but most clients and designers are not aware of the possibilities. One of my first commissions may serve as an example. A young couple learned I was working on a government project in their town and asked if I designed houses. Upon explaining I was limiting my house design clients to those who were interested in metaphysical design, they decided to approach the design of their house from this direction. Soon after I met with my clients and they really liked the idea of using some simple symbolism in the building design to represent their spiritual beliefs. Since they both came from a farming background and believed in reincarnation, we decided to make wheat — a symbol of reincarnation in western culture — the theme. Images of wheat would be incorporated into the stained glass entrance and in a few other locations of the house. My clients were also intrigued by what a square within a circle represented — that we are spiritual beings with a physical form. After exploring several ideas, we settled on a square house, with the balconies, patios, landscaping, overhangs and sidewalks forming the outline of a circle around the house. From the sky, the form would be obvious but as one moved around the site, the circular features would be less apparent, though it served as a subtle reminder of the impetus for the design. As work progressed on the design, my clients started reading up on feng shui. I explained I knew what was involved but was not skilled enough in the art to advise them, so I consulted a feng shui expert. Upon learning that the application of feng shui principles might mean reorienting the building on the site, my clients ultimately decided not to pursue that course of action. That experience taught me an important lesson, namely that the metaphysical principles clients choose to incorporate in their design should be based on core beliefs, not just curiosity or fascination. I continue to be open to clients who want to explore metaphysical design ideas and am constantly looking for new metaphysical ideas and approaches that can be incorporated in the design process. DQ David Roth MRAIC, MAAA is a partner of the firm of Holland Roth Architects in Edmonton, Alta. You may contact him at david@hollandroth.ab.ca