Italian Swimming Pool Designer Paolo Benedetti on "What is Swimming Pool Design?"
What is INDUSTRIAL DESIGN?
Industrial design is the formulation of an aesthetic and functional plan that considers the humanistic interaction with an object over it's lifespan.
Simply stated, it is the creation of a unique object with purpose, that evokes emotion and a sense of desire.
Why is industrial design important to your swimming pool?
Anyone can draw a shape on a piece of paper and then place manufactured products into the plan. Simply arranging manufactured products around within a space does not take any talent.
Buying manufactured fire features, fountains, spillways or water spouts and placing them into a project is not design. It is simply product placement. And a monkey can do it.
Industrial design incorporates ergonomics, how the space will be utilized, lines of sight, color theory, both daily and seasonal natural lighting, shadows and highlights, demographics of the users and many other factors.
Evoking Emotion and Desire
A well designed project will seamlessly integrate with the architecture of the space and structures. It will automatically evoke a sense of belonging... as if something would be missing if the elements were not there.
The selected colors and materials will evoke a sense of welcoming and warmth. The viewer should want to become a part of the space. It should silently extend an invitation to the viewer to want to investigate and explore the space.
The configuration and features of the space should slowly reveal themselves as the viewer meanders along. The explorer should discover a new secret with each change in direction or view.
The elements should not be "in your face," over-whelming the viewer with sensory overload. It should not be so busy, so as to confuse the viewer as to where to look next and where to go.
Confusion and Conflict
The improper use of color and materials can easily cause mental confusion. The scene will become busy and conflicted... creating a space that makes the viewer feel uneasy. Though they may not be able to "put their finger on it," something about the space makes them feel uneasy.
Colors that conflict with one another are the most common visual ulcers. Bright red bricks or terracotta adjacent to green grass and plantings are the most commonly culprits. But the use of any complementary colors near each other will cause this this same visual conflict. Complementary colors are any colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel:
Yet, most people who design and build swimming pools do not understand these basic principals of design. Busy red brick patterns abut white precast coping stones. Bright green plantings, furniture or umbrellas stand as a stark contrast against the bricks. It quickly becomes visual vomit... yet the viewer does not know why.
Designing with a Mission
Again, anyone can select products from a catalog and arrange them within a space. But to be able to understand the client, what is emotional to them and what is of importance to them is the basis for the creation of the space.
Many clients are not even conscientiously aware of what is important to them. By that I do not mean the inclusions of a pool, patio, bbq or fireplace... but rather the sense of emotion that they want the space to say about themselves. A designer has got to get to know the clients, their interests and what "pushes their emotional buttons."
Additionally, the details incorporated into the project need to support the clients use of the space. And the use of the space changes by the day of the week and the season of the year.
During the week, most residential spaces are not physically utilized. They are however viewed... Yet, on a weekend, the space comes alive with physical activity, parties, bbq's, children and the associated toys, umbrellas, chaises and chairs.
The seasonal use of a space should also be considered as well. The type and placement of trees & shrubs may need to create privacy during the swim season. Yet, during the winter months they may need to "open up" to allow light and sunshine.
Cast shadows and lines change with the seasons as well. The strategic placement and angles of structures or elements of the design can create unique shadows. Shadow also change the colors that we perceive as well. These can all be used to create dynamic changes to the seasonal perspective.
Your designer and builder has to got to know a lot more about design, than merely drawing shapes and specifying parts from a catalog.
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com
What is INDUSTRIAL DESIGN?
Industrial design is the formulation of an aesthetic and functional plan that considers the humanistic interaction with an object over it's lifespan.
Simply stated, it is the creation of a unique object with purpose, that evokes emotion and a sense of desire.
Why is industrial design important to your swimming pool?
Anyone can draw a shape on a piece of paper and then place manufactured products into the plan. Simply arranging manufactured products around within a space does not take any talent.
Buying manufactured fire features, fountains, spillways or water spouts and placing them into a project is not design. It is simply product placement. And a monkey can do it.
Industrial design incorporates ergonomics, how the space will be utilized, lines of sight, color theory, both daily and seasonal natural lighting, shadows and highlights, demographics of the users and many other factors.
Evoking Emotion and Desire
A well designed project will seamlessly integrate with the architecture of the space and structures. It will automatically evoke a sense of belonging... as if something would be missing if the elements were not there.
The selected colors and materials will evoke a sense of welcoming and warmth. The viewer should want to become a part of the space. It should silently extend an invitation to the viewer to want to investigate and explore the space.
The configuration and features of the space should slowly reveal themselves as the viewer meanders along. The explorer should discover a new secret with each change in direction or view.
The elements should not be "in your face," over-whelming the viewer with sensory overload. It should not be so busy, so as to confuse the viewer as to where to look next and where to go.
Confusion and Conflict
The improper use of color and materials can easily cause mental confusion. The scene will become busy and conflicted... creating a space that makes the viewer feel uneasy. Though they may not be able to "put their finger on it," something about the space makes them feel uneasy.
Colors that conflict with one another are the most common visual ulcers. Bright red bricks or terracotta adjacent to green grass and plantings are the most commonly culprits. But the use of any complementary colors near each other will cause this this same visual conflict. Complementary colors are any colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel:
Yet, most people who design and build swimming pools do not understand these basic principals of design. Busy red brick patterns abut white precast coping stones. Bright green plantings, furniture or umbrellas stand as a stark contrast against the bricks. It quickly becomes visual vomit... yet the viewer does not know why.
Designing with a Mission
Again, anyone can select products from a catalog and arrange them within a space. But to be able to understand the client, what is emotional to them and what is of importance to them is the basis for the creation of the space.
Many clients are not even conscientiously aware of what is important to them. By that I do not mean the inclusions of a pool, patio, bbq or fireplace... but rather the sense of emotion that they want the space to say about themselves. A designer has got to get to know the clients, their interests and what "pushes their emotional buttons."
Additionally, the details incorporated into the project need to support the clients use of the space. And the use of the space changes by the day of the week and the season of the year.
During the week, most residential spaces are not physically utilized. They are however viewed... Yet, on a weekend, the space comes alive with physical activity, parties, bbq's, children and the associated toys, umbrellas, chaises and chairs.
The seasonal use of a space should also be considered as well. The type and placement of trees & shrubs may need to create privacy during the swim season. Yet, during the winter months they may need to "open up" to allow light and sunshine.
Cast shadows and lines change with the seasons as well. The strategic placement and angles of structures or elements of the design can create unique shadows. Shadow also change the colors that we perceive as well. These can all be used to create dynamic changes to the seasonal perspective.
Your designer and builder has to got to know a lot more about design, than merely drawing shapes and specifying parts from a catalog.
Paolo Benedetti - Aquatic Artist
"Creating water as art."™
Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa©
www.aquatictechnology.com
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If you want to ask a question of Paolo Benedetti, you may email him at: info@aquatictechnology.com