Running head: WILL BRUDER
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Collin Ng LA 251 Professor Wilcox Will Bruder Will Bruder is one of the most renowned American architects of the present world (Krus, 2013). He was born in 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he studied arts and engineering. Surprisingly, throughout his life he never received any formal university or college training in architecture. According to Snider (2011), he learned most of his architectural skills while working under Paolo Soleri. This was after he had received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In a number of interviews, he recognizes Soleri and Gunnar Birkerts as among the people who played a significant role in shaping the amazing architect he is today (Jeen, 2012). Apparently, under their watch, he developed his talent and acquired field experience in woodwork, metal work and masonry. More so, through the apprenticeship, he obtained registration as an architect and opened his practice in 1974 (Jeen, 2012). He has since developed to become the president of his own studio, Will Bruder Architects, LLC, situated in Phoenix, Arizona. For over 40 years Bruder has worked tirelessly to refine his craft. Being a self-trained architecture, he believed he had to work harder than his formally trained colleagues who somehow had head-starts in their careers. It is indeed amazing how he has managed to complete more than 500 commissions ranging from large-scale civic and cultural projects to private residences and multi-family housing. According to Knoll (2014), his motivation throughout his career has been the desire to make a positive impact in the field architecture and leave behind a legacy innovation, origination and craftsmanship. In fact, in an interview with Karissa, he stated
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that he desires to be remembered for his determination and hard work rather than the fancy structures he has designed (Karissa, 2014). The five-story Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix is the largest structure Bruder has ever designed. He takes pride in the building, stating that the thought of him being the brains behind the civil landmark that houses an open, one-acre reading room with a Buckminster Fuller tensegrity structure in its roof always humbles him (Karissa, 2014). In fact, being a mere sculpture without any formal architectural training, this building is a source of inspiration that gets him going every single day. It has seen him rise through the ranks to become the most sought after place-makers in Arizona (Terry, 2013). To date, his contribution to present day architecture has been incredible. Besides Soleri and Birkerts, another person that has greatly influenced Bruder’s life and career is Frank Lloyd Wright. While receiving the Rome Prize from the American Academy of Rome in 1987, Bruder stated that he was honored to be considered in the same line as other great architects like Lloyd Wright who left an everlasting mark and legacy during their time (Knoll, 2014). According to him, the world will forever remember these incredible people for their remarkable innovation, origination and craftsmanship. In addition, in the catalogue, designed by will bruder, he refers to Llyod Wright’s Price House (t 954. Phoenix) as an indirect source of inspiration for his design (Bill, 2014). Visual communication to design intent To emote Throughout his career, Bruder approaches his work as a craftsman and continually strives for innovation, originality and authenticity. His determination is always to create artworks that not only appeal to his clients but also respect their emotions and feelings. In fact, according to
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Bill (2014), he is always grounded by a deep respect for the specificity of people and place. As such, he takes into consideration how his clients feel, what they desire and how they wish their buildings to look like. This is exhibited in the way his buildings consistently respond to the site and user’s needs. To present Just like most architects, Bruder has his unique style of designing his artwork. As it has become his reputation, the importance of scale and detail, the practical application form, materiality and sense of place are some of the things that are paramount to his work (Snider, 2011). Apparently, this is how he likes presenting it. It is a style that has become synonymous with him, slowly shaping a legacy that is bound to live on forever. This is desirable in visual communication since the quality of an architect is vested in his unique style of presenting his work (Snider, 2011). To communicate Terry (2013) states that one of Bruder’s driving motives behind his strive to develop his own style is the desire to develop a style that would elicit emotional response from the viewers. In our human nature, we tend to relate to things better when we become emotionally attached to them. Apparently, this emotional connection with viewers and clients require communication. As such, Bruder has developed a way of communicating through his trademark materiality and sense of place. As stated earlier, these two are among the iconic things that are paramount to his work. To observe To reach the level he is now, Bruder has gone through a lot of learning and growing. Mark you this is one guy who never stepped in a university or college to study architecture. However, through determination and hard work, the self-trained delineator is one of the most
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sought after place-makers in Arizona. According to his biography, all the skills he possesses where learnt through apprenticeship during the time he worked under Paolo Soleri and Gunnar Birkerts (Jeen, 2012). He did a lot of observation to get all the tricks of the game that have helped him to date. More so, as he progressed over the years, he was keen with the good works of architects who lived before him, some of which inspire him to date. Techniques used by Bruder Having completed more than 500 commissions ranging from large-scale civic and cultural projects to private residences and multi-family housing, Bruder has managed to develop his unique style of blending space, materials and lights. The importance of scale and detail, the practical application form and sense of place have become synonymous with his work. As Knoll (2014) states, this is a legacy in the making which will have his name written in the hearts of future architects. His style is already influencing modern designs. Apparently, it is reflected in more than 700 projects around the world including the iconic Burton Barr Phoenix Central Library, Nevada Museum of Art and Deer Valley Rock Arts Center (Bill, 2014). Perhaps one of the most renowned qualities of Bruder is his ability to raise the ordinary to the extraordinary. His philosophy about successful architecture as expressed succinctly in the catalog, designed will bruder reads that the real memorable buildings are those that exploit the tension between the sensual and intellectual (Jeen, 2012). According to him, these are buildings that strive for the balance of the poetic and pragmatic while at the same time searching for elusive qualities, both timely and timeless. This philosophy is exhibited in the 2003 Nevada Museum of Art building in Reno he designed the same year. For the Mezzo building, Bruder designed a native desert garden through which visitors to the building are welcomed. He also incorporated welded wire mesh and site benches to define
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the exterior space of the project as well as enhance is natural environment. More so, to delineate shared and private areas, he designed sandblasted concrete pale green masonry site walls to work within this composition (Bill, 2014). Lesson learned about visual communication Visual communication as a form of art plays a significant role in our lives. Apparently, it has proven to be the most effective way of conveying messages to people of all cultures and languages. As the English saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Perhaps this is because images go directly into our long-term memory where they are permanently etched (Larson, 2014). This crucial aspect of visual communication is exhibited in the way Bruder approaches his work with the importance of scale and detail, the practical application of form, materiality and sense of place. Karissa (2014) states that this unique style has enabled him to design structures that are appealing both emotionally and in architecture. Bruder’s state-of-the-art artworks have also taught us how graphics expedite and increase our level of communication. Most of the graphics he used in his presentations increase comprehension, recollection and retention (Larson, 2014). In fact, one of the main reasons why his contribution to present day architecture has been significant is because the visual clues he incorporates in his drawings help decode text as well as attract attention to vital information. As such, the fact that his style is reflected in more than 700 projects around the world including the iconic Burton Barr Phoenix Central Library, Nevada Museum of Art and Deer Valley Rock Arts Center is proof enough that visual communication affects us cognitively, increasing the likelihood of us to remember things. Another important lesson learned about visual communication is that pictures and drawing enhance or affect our emotions and attitudes (Larson, 2014). In fact, Bruder seems to be
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well aware that graphics engage imagination and heightens humans’ creative thinking by stimulating other areas of their brains. As such, he exploits the fact that emotions extensively influence our attitudes, perception, learning, decision making and the very mechanisms of rational thinking. This is exhibited in the way his style puts a lot of emphasis on emotionally communicating with his clients through his art. Conclusion Will Bruder is with no doubt among the few complete architects. With experience spanning over 40 years, his work speaks for itself. Krus (2013) describes his style and architecture as personal and richly expressive with powerful forms of spaces. Perhaps what is even more fascinating is how he bases it on a very fine and discerning understanding of the fabric, material and intelligently conceived structure that help make it truly notable. With such legacy in the making, this is one living legend who is certainly not going to be forgotten.
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Bill, T. (2014). Mezzo: Will Bruder Architects. Archdaily, 14(2), 3-7. Jeen, H. (2012). Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: An Interview with Will Bruder. Retrieved from http://arcadenw.org/article/making-the-ordinary-extraordinary Karissa, R. (2014). AD Interviews: Will Bruder / Will Bruder Architects. Retrieved from http://www.archdaily.com/tag/will-bruder-architects/ Knoll, J. (2014). Wire | Will Bruder Elected Fellow of AIA. Retrieved from http://www.downtownphoenixjournal.com/2013/06/24/wire-will-bruder-elected-fellowof-aia/ Krus, R. (2013). American architects. Architect Magazine, 2(8), 1-9. Larson, T. (2014). Powerful Facts About Visual Communication. The Arts Journal, 2(11), 4-17. Snider, B.D. (2011). Hall of Fame: Will Bruder, AIA. Retrieved from http://www.residentialarchitect.com/award-winners/will-bruders-extensive-career-atteststo-the-tran.aspx Terry, D. (2013). Architects of the 21st century. Architect Magazine, 2(11), 12-25.