Designing Against the Current
Reflection on the conference by Architect Nathaniel Fuster.
Designing in the Caribbean, specifically on the island of Puerto Rico, involves considerations that Nathaniel Fuster reflects in his practice. Puerto Rico is unique in its region, climate, culture, history and nature; which makes us responsible as architects to ensure durability and adaptability in the face of any adversity in architectural works. Fuster comments on how all these aspects are relevant when talking about Puerto Rican identity. However, it questions our contemporaneity.
The design process refers to the search for creativity and is intrinsically related to the search for beauty, in various expressions. Attention to harmony and proportion is an aspect that Fuster executes, creating an aesthetic coherence that perceives a balance accompanied by its beauty. It involves a narrative of manipulating a space so that it is not considered a void and is always active in its functionality.
"Designing creates experience in architecture."
The experience becomes personal to its quality in the execution of the design. It offers new specialties that evoke a narrative character within Puerto Rican architecture. In this way, each project results in a unique manifestation of the vision and identity of the person who creates it, Fuster. The choice of materials, shape, color and spatiality influences the relationship with its environment and user, which expresses unique experiences.
Although concrete is the main material of all his projects, it does not limit its function, but rather takes advantage of it in all its possibilities. It generates very particular and unique shadows and geometries that identify each project. Light is a fundamental component where it allows interesting games to be created with the structural and ornamental composition of the design. It frames the importance of your space and frames an aesthetically pleasing perception contrary to other spaces that play with subjective perception.
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