When considering the relationship between science and art, in a sense they are both concerned with finding out what already exists. Science in a literal sense and Art in a less tangible sense, rather like holding a mirror up to ourselves. But in the area of technology, alongside art, creativity is king and innovation comes out of all our applied inventiveness.
For Architecture, straddling both domains, it is clear that the creative process applies as much to technology as it does to developing an aesthetic idea.
For me the urge to think of new ways of doing things is irresistible, not as an end in itself, but because every project appears to have a unique program and set of circumstances. Merely recycling old ideas seems too easy. A project could be defined by an interesting innovative idea, and the underlying thought could be technical or aesthetic, but for me any technical innovation must be supported by an elegant expression of the idea, and the whole must be eminently appropriate to its particular context and function.
It is important in the architectural context to recognize the distinction between innovation as an expedient; i.e. a good idea making something cheaper or easier, as opposed to a good idea making something better or more elegant. I will discuss a range of our projects with reference to themes to do with creating form, our relationship with nature, cultural heritage and the intent to create spaces and places that lift the spirits.