Words are Simple — Too Simple
Words hurt, Words are Power, Words are cheap, Words are Simple — Too simple and that’s why I add the Show-&-Tell step to The Sketch part of the design process.
The Show-&-Tell solves the mystery behind personal word definitions. One of the most misused words in architecture is the word, “simple“. Every client uses it, but it rarely means the same thing. So I ask clients to select images from houzz to illustrate their personal preferences.
Naomi’s Simple Fireplace:
Naomi, a single client in San Antonio, TX asked for a simple fireplace like this.

Alastar’s Simple Bar:
Alastar, a married couple in Canyon Lake , TX asked for a simple bar like this.

CeCe’s Simple Bunk:
CeCe, a multi-generational family in New Braunfels, TX asked for a simple bunk room like this.

The word “simple” didn’t help me envision each client’s preference but an image + description provides unique identity.
Simple words need a simple picture.
Read these articles to learn how other architects interpret Words.
Jeff Echols – Architect Of The Internet (@Jeff_Echols)
Does anyone hear your words?
Lora Teagarden – L² Design, LLC (@L2DesignLLC)
Visual Words
Eric T. Faulkner – Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
Words are Simple — Too Simple
Michele Grace Hottel – Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
“words”
Meghana Joshi – IRA Consultants, LLC (@MeghanaIRA)
Architalks 40: Words
Brian Paletz – The Emerging Architect (@bpaletz)
A pictures worth
Drew Paul Bell – Drew Paul Bell (@DrewPaulBell)
Mindset for Endless Motivation and Discipline #Architalks
Jeffrey Pelletier – Board & Vellum (@boardandvellum)
Use Your Words (Even When You Can’t)
Jim Mehaffey – Yeoman Architect (@jamesmehaffey)
Words Are Important
Mark Stephens – Mark Stephens Architects (@architectmark)
Words
Leah Alissa Bayer – The Stoytelling LAB (@leahalissa)
Architects Are Storytellers
This is another entry in Bob Borson’s blogging brain-child titled, “ArchiTalks”.
The #ArchiTalks goal is to inspire blogging architects with similar educational and professional requirements to opine on the same topic and simulpost their response so other architects and a broader audience can enjoy the rampant thought-diversity within the architecture profession
Select the links in “Architalks Entries” above to read how architects responded to the “Words” topic.
image/video credits:
- cover; wordcloud- pixabay
- naomi; Bio Fires
- Alastar; Orlando Interior Photography
- CeCe; Suzanne Nichols Design Group