Details that make a difference

With the recent discussions, research and detailing works in the office, I understand the significance of details and I have started to notice them more carefully within any design that I come across. Detailing is a key stage in any architecture or landscape architecture project. A detail addresses the functionality, constructability and the aesthetics of a design. Detailing for functionality and constructability is done with every project, but detailing for aesthetics is what makes a designed landscape stand out.

‘God is in the detail’ – as the famous quote goes: details can make a significant impact in any design. Be it an innovative art feature or just a contrasting edge along the paved surface, attention to the little details can make all the difference in making a good design extraordinary.

Detailing involves continuing the design philosophy down to the tiniest features. This adds to the consistency of the design and enhances the aesthetics of a project. It might not be visible to the naked eye unless carefully analysed, but good details have a positive impact on anyone experiencing the place and the works of famous architects like Carlo Scarpa and Mies Van Der Rohe, whose works include incredible details, stand testament to this.

“The whole is to the part as the part is to the whole” – Frank Lloyd Wright. The details are part of the whole design and when the design philosophy is lost in the details, it creates a negative effect or the space will be missing the opportunity to attain its potential to be exceptional.

Budget constraints definitely affect the quality of materials being used in a project but a good designer is able to make the most out of the available options with their skillful details. A difference in paving pattern, a difference in texture or just the colour of the mortar fill, carefully worked out interaction between materials and surfaces, consistent design to a manhole cover, or a designed brick wall can still have an impact. The difference is due to the consistency of the basic design concept and how the idea is carried through to the smallest details with materials, rhythms and geometries.

As peers of a creative industry, we have regular discussions in our office on art and applications in a built environment and we share good design details that we appreciate, be it landscape, architecture, layout design or even product design. We, at Node, recognise its value and focus our efforts on designing details that will make our projects extraordinary.