Good Design for Everyone

By Joshua Zinder, AIA , LEED AP

What is good design?

What is good design? Why should you care? Isn’t good design just aesthetically subjective?

Most people identify good design in everyday objects that are known for transcending a niche market.The mass appeal of these objects is driven by more than just aesthetics, but rather a balance between form and function. You see this in products such as the iPod, VW Beetle and the iconic Coke bottle. Part of what makes these products so ubiquitous is that they are well designed. The design elevates and supersedes their use, a tribute to how well they assimilate into our daily routines and environments; we just accept these designs as a given.

Although you may not have questioned the design qualities of these items before, you should (and most likely do) care about good design. This concern for good design should be transferred to all aspects of your daily life, especially when it concerns the spaces you inhabit. In my experience, I have known many people confronted with the dilemma of having to accept what they get from a construction or renovation, regardless of whether it reflects their personal needs or suits their design sensibility. These people operate under the misconception that they must settle for what is offered because good design is expensive. This is farthest from the truth.

An individual’s taste should not be overlooked by an architect, contractor or designer. At JZA+D, we educate and inform our clients on the principles of good design and sustainability, while simultaneously working within their desired aesthetic. The firm adheres to the motto “design process must begin with responsibility,” carefully considering the impact each individual design element has on the spaces we create, the surrounding environment and the occupants. In this way, JZA+D embraces the true essence of sustainability through a fundamental design approach that transcends the chic nature of the word and, ultimately, delivers a complete environment. It is our belief that sustainability is a key element of good design.

But what is good design? The idea of relating the quality conveyed by the word “good” to design might seem like an oxymoron. Our perceptions of what is “good” versus “bad” design vary, right? Although aesthetic taste varies among individuals, good design is good design, and whether ornate or purist modern, good design has a harmonious foundation of proportion, scale and form. As Leone Batista Alberti, 15th century artist, writer and architect said, “Beauty is the adjustment of all parts proportionately so that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the whole.” To JZA+D, this observation encompasses the essence of good design. Whether you are building a new home, small renovation/addition, or altering your work environment, everyone should strive for good design and JZA+D is dedicated to bringing good design to all of its clients.