What Inspires Us at Inside Out Architecture

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What Inspires Us?

At Inside Out Architecture, we have a talented array of staff with diverse interests and architectural backgrounds. On this page we invite them to contribute their interests and experiences.

Epic Chimneys This house in Oak Park, Illinois, by Frank Lloyd Wright stood out from the crowd due to its elegant and expressive roof planes. Its horizontality suited its context.	Vernacular Buildings There is a lot to learn from the way buildings have developed in their local contexts - designers do not always need to reinvent the wheel.	Card Models Simple card models can replicate the feeling of a space better than the glossiest computer renderings.
Moments of Delight This elevated garden in Denver's Clyfford Still Museum, maintains a delicate balance between exposure and enclosure in an urban context.	Truly Public Space Our urban realm is littered with privatised public spaces - places where the rules are not set by elected bodies or by law, but by private interests and private security companies. True public space should to be cherished and retained.	Stairs as Art The stairs in the Art Gallery of Ontario battled the actual artwork for attention, but was a truly engaging piece of architectural sculpture.
Remembering the Past A powerful ghost-like way of expressing and remembering the equally powerful symbol of the Berlin Wall.	Rooftop Plazas The epic public space on the roof of Milan's Duomo, with panoramic views of the city.	Stacked Boxes Even a series of simple stacked boxes can create a truly inspiring and dynamic form.
Dynamic Transport Southern Cross Station in Melbourne is quite a dramatic way to arrive into the city, a building that reflects that which it houses.	Challenging Trends This recent shopping centre in Tokyo by Tadao Ando is unique in bringing a sense of calm to modern shopping. Just because a current building type tends to be unattractive doesn't mean it has to be.	Architectural Warehouses The polished concrete of this art museum adds a sense of surrealism to the whole building, a slab of artificiality. Here the gallery makes a clear statement - this building is a box for art, so let the art do the talking.
Little Venice The architecture of the greek islands bears a distinct intimacy that comes from human scale construction. You always feel part of the architecture.	Viewing Box The way this artificial tourist attraction proved more popular than the various "real" attractions below was quite intriguing. Sometimes architecture can serve to give people what they want.	Design for Joy's Sake We enjoy buildings that are built for no reason other than enjoyment and intrigue, a valuable achievement in itseld. This treetop walkway sits in London's Kew Gardens.
Depth in Facades We have found that depth and relief in a facade is one of the best ways to achieve a sense of interest and intrigue, breaking the implied barrier of a straight line.	Urban Composition While the elaborate detailing of past architectural styles may no longer be affordable or relevant, cities can remain interesting and dynamic as a composition of individual sculptures. This street is in Melbourne, Australia.	Urban Hierarchy A city can be read like a language, and the relationships between building used to ascertain their significance in the community. This classical relationship has somewhat diminished in recent years, but can be a powerful way of defining private and public places.
Tactility People tend to respond positively to real materials and design at a human scale. We like an architecture that engages people.	Cultural Diversity We enjoy thinking about, learning from and designing for the cultural differences that persist in an increasingly globalised world.	Natural Rooms Not every space is defined by plasterboard walls. This enchanting walkway rests in the National Park in Montreal, Quebec.
Bizarre Moments Sometimes you come across something completely unexpected, and whether beautiful or not, there is joy in a moment of experiencing something new.	Public Icons Iconic architecture's reputation has been heavily criticised in recent years. Sometimes icons can be wholly appropriate, but not everything can be an icon, so what should be?	Playful Spaces This interactive public space in Chicago by Kreuck and Sexton was a real hit with the public in mid summer, a constant shallow pool feed by water spewing from the mouths of digital faces - SK
A narrative Architecture can be more than just a room. It can be a journey. A story that takes us from one place to the next, or from era into another.	Contrast The power of something is most obvious when shown against its opposite. The power of the straight line can be most effective when contrasted and offset by natural surroundings.	Reinterpretation Instead of recreating the past, it is often more noble to honour and remember the past while moving forward.
Moments of Relief Deep in the heart of bustling Tokyo, a city of 35 million people, rest Meiji Jingu, a place of restive prayer and reflection. Life, and architecture, are most interesting as a series of movements from dynamism to stillness.	Occupied Spaces Most spaces will occasionally be used for something other than their typical use. This can be some of the most interesting moments to experience a space. Here, Winchester High Street becomes a public theatre.	Elemental Statements Not every powerful statement requires elaborate intricacy. Simple statements can often be more compelling.
Craft's Beauty Here, the ancient craft of a Nikko temple draws thousands of visitors a day. The modern age of mass production has redefined the role of craft, but it is still important in creating humane environments, places we call home.	Crazy People Sometimes architecture is the result of people's mad fantasies. And that can be a very good thing.	Facade as Lens This glowing facade was a powerful detail that really changed the feeling of the interior space.
Winding Stairs The sliding stairs at the heart of the Ashmoleon in Oxford provide a clear focal point for the recent extension.

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