The Grid
We at M&J have a love for the grid. What is it that attracts us to this simple arrangement of lines? Is it the quiet formality... the clean order it holds? The repitition of horizontal and vertical lines creating the predictable pattern... the creation of units.. cells, within these lines? Of course it is all of the above. There is a beauty in this elementary pattern that will often form the basis of our designs; be it a floor plan or a piece of furniture. We often come back to the grid!
The floor plans from a Greek House (Vitruvius) shows the grid used to create a formal layout.
This beautiful Light fixture designed by Philippe Malouin uses the grid to difuse the light. I love its structural quality and would be very happy to hang this on my wall!!
The roof structure of the Archery Hall & Boxing Club by FT Architects came from an engineering problem for a need of a large column-free space. The design is made up of horizontals and verticals - so simple but its vast expanse is very powerful!
The design of GC Prostho Museum Research Center by Kengo Kuma & Associates originates from the system of Cidori, an old Japanese toy.
This seems to be the ultimate use of the grid in an interior - Shelf-Pod by Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio. The owner of the house has an large collection of books on the subject of Islamic history and requested storage and exhibition space for them. The lattice structure was made from 25mm thick laminated pine-board and serve as book-shelves. All of the architectural elements in this space have been designed on the basis of the same shelf scale, with the aim of achieving geometrical harmony which is comparable to Islamic Architecture.
We particularly like the use of the grid as a bookcase/room divider as in the design of Gerard de Hoop's FRAMES 2.0. Simple, functional and beautiful.
The grid can be found throughout our home...intentionally and unintentionally! I always fall for its graphic design.
