b.e.s.t.

"The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things."

In our time and age of rapid technological advancements, where transience and ephemeral qualities abound, where existences only stand for a moment, and with a mere gust of wind is superceded by the next, it is the notion of the 'commonplace', the everyday things, that lend some form of solace, normality and provides the base with which we can anchor our lives down to. It is what we experience, what we feel, what we know, what we live, and what we are. As such, the ideas that arise from a passionate interest in the very nuances of our existence can only serve to provide some form of insight and discernment into the meaning of life, and into the larger scheme of things.

The concept of passion brought through in the statement, presents a important key in the unlocking of this analysis. Passion, much more and above a mere cursory fleeting interest, is characterized by an all-consuming desire, strict discipline, intense focus and rigorous testing. It is a quality that by its innate requirements, already serve to distinguish the ordinary from the extraordinary, the good from the excellent. This passionate interest in commonplace things then, bestows upon the keen intellectual mind the ability to draw upon the everyday for inspiration, and to surpass the barrier of rigid conventions with a breakthrough in thinking.

Can there be any doubt therefore, that the best ideas could possibly arise out of such rigour and determination, from the approach of intense foray and exploration into personal experiences?

In keeping with this line of argument, the term 'best', whose overly generalised and hence, vague, meaning in the context of the statement, when applied to the field of architecture per se, relates to the state of 'thinking out of the box'. This rather cliched but apt phrase for connotating the notion of transcending the ubiquitous, brings through the idea of providing a fresh perspective towards that which one was once desensitised to. For example, Pritzker award-winning collaborating architects, Herzog and de Meuron, in a startling rendition of the commonplace cast-iron roadside drainage grills found within the city of Basel in Switzerland, utilised the exact same material and form as a facade skin to an office building, thereby jolting one's experience of the city via the condensation of the whole into a succinct statement.

Similarly, renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor drew upon the vernacular within the bucolic region of San Benedetg to produce a powerfully simple yet well-integrated chapel located high up in the mountains of San Benedetg. His use of traditional wooden roof shingles as an external wall cladding resulted in a distinct weathered look that related directly to the rustic buildings found in the chapel's immediate surroundings. This brilliant architectural gem does not shout out its presence to the world. It merely exists, and takes its place as if it had always been there. Such breakthroughs in the architectural field, while neither groundbreaking nor earth-shaking, result in the 'best' kind of architecture that is appreciated by the layman and specialist alike, stemming from a desire to transform the everday into something awe-inspiring.

Correspondingly, the 'best' ideas in the field of art is possibly that which seeks its audience in the masses, replacing the esoteric with the layman, thereby increasing its appeal and allowing for widespread appreciation. What better way is there to achieve this end than to depict a subject matter that most people can relate to personally? Monet, a highly-lauded Impressionist painter from the 1800s, clearly understood the benefits of this concept. His prolific series of waterlilies, haystacks and train stations as seen in various atmospheric conditions, bespoke of his foresight at drawing inspiration from the everyday, and thus emanating from keen observation and a sharp eye for details, sought to immortalise these fleeting scenes into eternal images of beauty. It comes as no surprise then, that Monet, to this day, remains as one of the greatest painters of all time.

Consequently, in conclusion it is perhaps imperative to note that the notion of what is 'best' is a purely subjective one, and what is deemed 'best' on my part may not sit well with people who hold opposing radical views. However, it cannot be denied that the statement stands simply because the preoccupation with the commonplace is a tried and tested formula that has withstood its detractors over the ages. It is a fact that beauty is all around us, if we would only take the time to pause, look, and meditate on it.


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I took a freaking 2 hours to practice writing this essay when it's supposed to be done in 45 mins flat... And all I could muster was this pathetic crap?!? Gosh. My GREs are done for. You know they are when it's 11pm and my test is in the morning and I'm still blogging. Sigh. Tired. Head's swimming. Back's aching. Eyes are going blind. Win. Best.