What would be your ideal home? A Video documentary by Alain de Botton -The Architecture of Happiness postmodern architecture study guide for students

Watch these 3 part series documentaries

What is The Architecture of Happiness for you in this postmodern architecture era?

Where do architects go for inspiration?

Design Challenge: Reimagine the Public Square

Inspiration:  After watching Alain de Botton's documentary "The Perfect Home," and reflecting on his ideas about architecture and happiness, you will be challenged to redesign a public square in your community.

What makes a good public space architecture?

Objective:  The goal is to create a space that fosters social interaction, a sense of belonging, and reflects the unique character of your community.  Your design should address the points raised in the documentary, such as:

• Sense of Order and Control: How can the design create a sense of order and safety without feeling sterile or restrictive?

• Engagement with Nature: How can the design integrate natural elements to promote well-being and connection with the environment?

• Community Building: How can the design encourage people to linger, interact, and build relationships?

Activity:

1. Research and Observation: Choose a public square in your community.
   

2. Brainstorming Sketches: Create quick, loose sketches exploring various design solutions for the public square.
   

3. Developing a Chosen Concept: Select your most promising design concept and refine it with more detailed sketches.

Bonus:

• Research and include historical examples of successful public squares that embody the principles discussed in the documentary.
  

• Briefly explain how your design draws inspiration from these examples.

Remember:

• There are no wrong ideas in the brainstorming phase. Be creative and explore different possibilities.

• The final drawing should be clear, well-composed, and effectively communicate your design intent.

• Use your drawing not just as a representation, but as a tool to think critically about the role of public spaces in fostering happiness and community.

This activity encourages students to not only practice the core principles of architectural drawing but also to think critically about the social impact of design choices. By drawing inspiration from "The Perfect Home," they can begin to connect the technical aspects of architecture with its power to shape our experiences and sense of well-being.