onDesign

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AMBIENT FORMS

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The basic principle of surface thought posits that design forms – potential objects derived from thoughtful processes – come into being from awareness or knowledge of essences.  Then what herein does essence mean?  An essence is an identified FORM.  Forms surface from properties composed or assembled into recognizable things (potential objects).  Things exist as objects from which potential experiences are expressions of thoughtful minds via ideal reification.

 

Divergent from existentialism (Jean-Paul Sartre) which posits "existence precedes essence" surface thought supposes, essence precedes existence.  Essences, within the realm of design, are manifest as a parcel of the designing subject that exists prior to forms (buildings), voids (interiors), and/or planes (landscapes) generated.  All objects exist as mental potentialities subject to the acumen of the designing subject.  That which is a mental potentiality becomes physical thusly sensible as a parcel of one's knowledge of the material realm.  Mental phenomena precede physical experiences.  Therefore, particular thoughts and ideas exist as a priori experiential modes of being.  Consequently, only imagined phenomena mental experiences or the mind can render any phenomenological experience as a future potentiality.

 

SURFACE thought, is an epistemological exploration (knowledge) focused on ontological (essences) ideas regarding experiential forms (senses).  The exploration of design forms seeks to reveal the nature of things.  This methodology endeavors to capture the essential properties and attributes determining a particular ambiance.  The forms designed will duly produce only that which can exist as a response in time…