DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Each and every individual experiences space in a personal and unique way that shapes ones understanding of the world they inhabit. At PLUS-SUM Studio we believe that the spaces of our daily lives should reveal intangible qualities, stir the spirit, engage the intellect and challenge our perception. We seek out dynamic spatial relationships that encourage occupants to explore and discover, heightening anticipation, and seeing one's own context in a new light.
Design Philosophy:
Solutions to complex problems do not spring forth from a moment of genius (an epiphany, spark… the light bulb moment), but rather it is the culmination of a process of investigation and exploration. This mythologized moment is ultimately a result of years investigating, working on and exploring an idea or more likely a series of ideas that lead one to a moment of creative breakthrough. This is true in the story of Frank Lloyd Wright designing Fallingwater in two days as his client traveled to see the progress of the last year of work [1]. It is also true for Albert Einstein developing the Theory of Relativity as he walked down the street. In both cases, these transformative figures are respected for the breakthrough nature of their insights. Those insights evolved from a tireless work ethic and passion to explore ideas and follow them to where they lead. Within that understanding, their solutions were logical next steps in their process. However, taken out of context, those solutions appear as mystical, magical, or instantaneous breakthroughs developed in the mind of a genius! New research posits that creativity is abstract problem solving requiring tenacity, time and persistence above all [2].
The creative process is investigative and iterative in nature, requiring one to ask questions in order to locate the problem, attempt to answer those questions, and then reevaluate what is produced in terms of the problem being investigated. The resulting construction, whether physical, virtual, 2D or 3D, is an expression of ideas and values that take a position relative to the problem being solved. It is not surprising then that the best projects manage to solve the specific problem while at the same time expanding our understanding of that problem through a particular view of the world we inhabit. This worldview, and the values that drive it, shape and influence the work and strategies at the heart of our investigations; leading to new ideas, new understanding and an evolved worldview that feeds back into our methodology.
Design Process:
Design is a problem-solving process requiring deep investigation of the stated goals, constraints, influences, and possible variations to find win-win or value-added solutions. Solutions emerge over time through an intensive investigation, requiring us to analyze disparate and conflicting information to synthesize into a unique solution. We have developed a dynamic and creative workflow to manage this process.
We accept that it is not possible from the beginning to fully understand the unique, complex set of variables in each project; therefore we work through strategic, adaptive strategies, remaining open to new insights as they are discovered. Our clients and consultants are engaged throughout this process to add value and knowledge to the solutions. This fluid methodology allows us to uncover and address nuanced layers of interactions specific to the problem. We learn from our discoveries, feed them back into the process, and see every difficulty as a new opportunity. We are problem seekers; continually refining our understanding at each stage while the team’s knowledge grows. This leads to contextual, integrated, robust and holistic solutions across scales that emerge with innovative and pragmatic resolutions to each client’s needs.
Team:
We form teams who listen carefully, ask questions to understand the issues and deliver creative, responsive solutions. PLUS-SUM team members are primed through our process to seek out novel solutions and to test those in order to understand the problem from many different perspectives. Each team member brings valuable experience to the table and is committed to resolving the inherent complexity of integrated project delivery. For more on what a "team" is within our philosophy, see "What's In A Name."
We look forward to working with you!
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...we believe that the spaces of our daily lives should reveal intangible qualities, stir the spirit, engage the intellect and challenge our perception
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...the best projects manage to solve the specific problem while at the same time expanding our understanding of that problem through a particular view of the world we inhabit.
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