Imaginem Cotidie - Daily Image #11

Welcome to the 11th edition of "Imaginem Cotidie - Daily Image"! We are excited to have you join us as we explore the connection between architecture and the human experience. Your support has been invaluable in our mission to inspire and inform.

In this edition, we delve into the wisdom of the past. We examine how returning to basic human behaviors can improve our mental and physical health. We also explore the benefits of embracing a simpler lifestyle and reconnecting with our human needs. Within architecture, we study the history of building to understand why we constructed in certain ways and how societies created their own architecture to respond to specific needs, environmental requirements and ways of living. By learning from the past, we can create a more sustainable and meaningful design approach.

The Ideal City, Unknown artist, National Gallery of the Marche, Urbino (1480-1490)

In this edition, we thought we would threat our readers to more than one image this time, as we believe the topic of this week's edition is suited to a variety of interpretations and architectures. We believe it is important to understand how this “ideal” differed between cultures but also through time and how human behaviour and societal desires shaped these supposedly ideal “cities”.

Robin Hood Gardens, Alison & Peter Smithson (1972)

“Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as it is practicable; and to make this custom the more significant, practice it first upon yourself” Marcus Aurelius

What Caught our Eye

Throughout History, we’ve always looked at the past as somewhat wonderous and full of inspiration, whether it was the Renaissance and the devotion to Roman and Greek teachings or authoritarian powers and their use of classical architecture as a means to control. Sometimes going back to the roots of what we are looking to achieve makes the exploration even more holistic and often brings forward answers to questions we didn't think needed a solution.

Dr Paul Ekman experienced such a discovery in his search for understanding basic human emotions, while interacting with the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. His findings on the universal qualities of human facial expressions have revolutionised our understanding of how society influences or not the way we express emotions and feelings. 

News

Through this newsletter discover our vibrant office news section — a hub brimming with insights into PL-Arch's evolution. Uncover the latest on our ongoing and upcoming projects, delve into the heart of our practice with exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses into events, workshops, and stay tuned for exciting events shaping our architectural journey.

Stay connected and informed !

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