Monthly Archives: October 2025

Structure and architecture

Comparison between Honda and human structure

Structure and architecture. In any architecture school, structure classes are required by NAAB for accreditation. While talented faculty impart knowledge to students, it is my experience with several institutions that most of the structure classes focus on understanding key materials properties and ways to calculate structure. Class sessions are about imparting knowledge to make designs stable and safe, but rarely consider how architects think spatially about structure.

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Hubert Robert copying paintings at the Louvre

detail of the 1796 painting by Hubert Robert

Hubert Robert copying paintings at the Louvre. I remember the day when I was a student of architecture, and was asked to deliberately copy a drawing (e.g. plan and section). At first, the faculty’s request took me off guard as I thought the act of creating came solely from an inner calling—my genius, my intuition, and my talent!

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Staircase at the National Telephone Company of Spain in Madrid

Detail of staircase at the National Telephone Company of Spain in Madrid

Staircase at the National Telephone Company of Spain in Madrid. I have written many blogs on staircases and have always found delight in showcasing their identity. This blog is not dissimilar and will highlight a staircase that I stumbled on years ago while visiting an exhibition on the work of British architect Richard Rogers.

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