Combining Art and Purpose
Stephen Chung on Natural Materials and Design
In his own home, Chung has paired maple with an Alaskan gloss together with white Cervaiole marble. "The maple is light and creamy and contrasts intriguingly with the aggressive gray veins of the Cervaiole marble. The two materials form a complementary palate and the result is an interesting dialogue between the contrasting elements," he says.
Chung's approach to design is reflected in his studio's tagline, "Combining art and purpose," which reflects his emphasis on the aesthetic quality as well as the functionality of design. "Instructors in architectural schools don't talk about beauty very much," he says. "Their teaching is often about big concepts and theories, but rarely about the aesthetic effect of the design."
"Beauty is, of course, subjective, so it's difficult to talk and teach about it," he says. "But as designers and architects, we should not ignore it or overlook its importance in our work."
Chung sees beauty as a sensory experience, and notes that true beauty takes advantage of multiple senses. Natural materials can be simultaneously tactile, visual, fragrant, auditory and visceral.
"The difference between manufactured building materials and natural materials is not unlike the difference between a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) rendering and a hand-drawn sketch," Chung says. "There is a certain unexpectedness or one-off quality to a hand-drawing that makes it appealing, just as the slight imperfections and irregularities in a piece of wood or natural stone add to its charm and appeal."
"Natural aesthetic qualities just cannot be replicated in manufactured materials, and I think designers and architects will always appreciate that," he says. "People really do want their surroundings to be beautiful as well as functional and to have that elusive humanistic quality."
Stephen Chung, AIA, LEED AP | Boston, MA
Frequently asked questions
What materials did Stephen Chung pair together in his own home?+
Chung paired maple with an Alaskan gloss together with white Cervaiole marble. The light, creamy maple contrasts with the aggressive gray veins of the Cervaiole marble, creating a complementary palate and a dialogue between the contrasting elements.
What is the tagline of Stephen Chung's design studio?+
The studio's tagline is "Combining art and purpose," which reflects Chung's emphasis on both the aesthetic quality and the functionality of design.
Why does Stephen Chung think beauty is under-discussed in architectural education?+
Chung says instructors in architectural schools rarely discuss beauty, focusing instead on big concepts and theories rather than the aesthetic effect of design. He attributes this partly to beauty being subjective and therefore difficult to teach, but argues designers should not overlook its importance.
How does Stephen Chung define beauty in design?+
Chung sees beauty as a sensory experience, noting that true beauty takes advantage of multiple senses. Natural materials, he says, can be simultaneously tactile, visual, fragrant, auditory and visceral.
How does Chung compare natural materials to manufactured building materials?+
Chung likens the difference to that between a CAD rendering and a hand-drawn sketch. The slight imperfections and irregularities in wood or natural stone give them an unexpected, one-off charm that manufactured materials cannot replicate.
Why do designers and architects continue to prefer natural materials according to Chung?+
Chung believes natural aesthetic qualities cannot be replicated in manufactured materials, and designers will always appreciate that. People want their surroundings to be beautiful and functional, with an elusive humanistic quality that natural materials provide.