Praxis is defined as putting acquired knowledge from a branch of study, to practical use. It is the application of theoretical information.
Be on the lookout for our new products featured on our newly released website coming out in the new few weeks.
Products for the architectural, bulk storage, municipal water treatment, and construction markets. Easy to order, pre-engineered for most applications, and simple assembly sequences.
We look forward to your feedback!
Builders, planners and architects usually try to maximize the use of their property. The goal is to gain the most commercial, spatial, and visual value from the confines entrusted to them. With this goal and intent, is it possible to plan for the future needs of the building, community or city center?
Looking at the non-commercial value of space and the benefits provided to the occupants, tenants and visitors is often an overlooked activity. I can sympathize with builders who have access to smaller and smaller plots in city centers. Prime value properties are often out of the financial range for most resource pools developed for commercial builders and often in the range of large development companies. To be profitable, strategies that produce maximum financial returns are employed. The truth is that the builder, planner and architect do not earn any immediate financial compensation for future or occupant benefits. The only future benefit they receive is from referrals and future clients.
Would it be possible that developing a space that is friendly to the occupants or visitors or pedestrian traffic be a way to improve the value of the property? It would take a less than desireable location and provide non-commercial value to the residents who would in turn congregate to this space. When congregated, and having space to grow, then additional commercial activities might be placed to take advantage of the rich resource pool that is congregating because of the non-financial benefits of a structure or space. When we plan these things from the beginning, that is introducing commercial vehicles from the beginning prior to having a market, then we always end up short of our projections. We do not fully understand our market, because the very people who we wish to serve, have not told us what they want from a commercial venture. If we put a restaurant, then is the space around conducive to the traffic and relaxed nature of eating? If we put a cafe, is there a place for congregation and relaxation? What are we serving when we define a space that is defined without the potential for change or growth. If a successful venture does manage to find a place, can it continue to grow, or will it have to relocate to find the needed resources? Will the market follow it?
Design and planning are always about living systems. People who work, live, eat, play, and move from one place to the next are never static. Yet this is the environment we provide to them. If they cannot change the environment, then they will move to another one that provides their desires. So to keep people from leaving your property for better opportunities, provide the opportunity through planning for growth and change. Look in to the possible futures and re-establish areas that have less present commercial appeal in to spaces that people will voluntarily seek out because of the benefits to them. The owner will get his benefits. He’s in it for the long run anyway, and a commercial success that is straight line will always underperform one that is driven by population trends and public demand. Linear versus non-linear growth. Our spaces are precious and filling them with no sight of the future just fills them with waste. Growth is not bad, it is an opportunity to develop and change our fixed mis-understandings of the past in to responsive action in the future.
