Hosted by the Northwest Chapter
ICAA Northwest Tholos is an architecture, interior design, and theory tutorial dedicated to classical design in contemporary practice. This tutorial serves to advance the classical mind by defining & translating a broad spectrum of classical principles as they apply to each participant’s career vision.
Candidates will have periodic private tutorials with ICAA-NW Chapter President, Duncan McRoberts, both remotely & in person, emphasizing how the universality of the classical lexicon may improve their knowledge, design abilities, and discernment. The process will involve discussions, readings, creative work sessions, drawings, references, and outlines for self-study, all of which will be curated specifically towards each individual.
Proem: Classicism is not interested in a history of sentimentality. Instead, classical architecture is forward looking, progressive and based on foundations of conservation and investment rather than consumption and waste. Its principles encourage community, harmony with nature and economy of resources and energy. These values apply from the smallest towns to the greatest cities, are of human scale, and facilitate an efficient and satisfying way of life. Classicism is a product of human artistic skill in making rather than an industrial process, and its aura of craft traverses a well-spring of tectonic character within a variety of structurally-symbolic and structurally-poetic traditions & cultures. Its metaphorical provinces and laws of beauty mean concepts of structure can exhibit a straightforwardness of vernacular in simplicity, durability and essentialness - as well as attain cultural and civic import through honorific, high style elaboration.
Nature and Her Processes provide an origin and destination in this praxis, both in terms of sustainable building science and architecturally figurative mimesis. The beautiful and the useful are at once mutually achieved in traditional design forms, and thus serve with environmental fortitude. In this continuum, as a language of well-building and aesthetic sensitivity, classicism redefines itself for modern problems, promotes a revived culture of building, and promises progress through enduringness of craft, quality and beauty.
NOTE: you must be a member of the ICAA Northwest Chapter to register.
REGISTER: Please submit your intentions in joining Tholos by writing a short paragraph. Meeting times on 09-13-20 may vary depending on the number of inquiries. Email to Duncan McRoberts: [email protected]
Image: Architecture by Quinlan Terry, Kilboy House