Operative Design: A Catalog of Spatial Verbs

by Anthony di Mari

The core idea for this book is the use of operative verbs as tools for designing space. These operative verbs abstract the idea of spatial formation to its most basic terms, allowing for an objective approach to create the foundation for subjective spatial design. Examples of these verbs are expand, inflate, nest, wist, lift, embed, merge and many more. Together they form a visual dictionary decoding the syntax of spatial verbs. The verbs are illustrated with three-dimensional diagrams and pictures of designs which show the verbs 'in action'.

This approach was devised, tested, and applied to architectural studio instruction by Anthony Di Mari and Nora Yoo while teaching at Harvard University's Career Discovery Program in Architecture in 2010. As instructors and as recent graduates, they saw a need for this kind of catalogue from both sides - as a reference manual applicable to design students in all stages of their studies, as well as a teaching tool for instructors to help students understand the strong spatial potential of abstract operations.

Genres: Architecture, Design, Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Space, Interior Design

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2012

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dictionary for a visual language.

Although aimed at architects, this small book provides a logical framework for understanding the spatial transformations inherit in programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, and how they connect and interact.

Having the linguistic handles to organize the random jumble of abstract form-manipulations you know but can't quite describe, is a skill that would serve any designer well.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and complex primer on geometry and spatial arrangement. Have a feeling this will become more useful the longer it stays on my desk.

[Favio Villaseñor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with almost no text, so it's necessary to pay attention to the beautiful drawings. First verbs(manipulation of volumes that here are named operations), then sentences as multiple operations on volumes and finally some brief examples from the real world.

I guess the point of the book is such that one has to learn to think about volumes in terms of spatial verbs, so complex designs can arrived with combinations of operations. Still I believe this is very much about state of the art architecture and top notch projects that put art expression first and constraints and economy of space in the background.

[Chiara Rizzarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A catalog of the main operations that can be performed on a building block in order to determine its shape but, truly, an encouragement to think in three dimensions and exploring interactions between volumes as a design platform.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Di Mari creates a process of volume transformation in a handbook that is well illustrated and laconic in text. The relevance of the processes to CAD operations is very clear and seems to be a source of inspiration for the writer.

[Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book, fun to flip through. Reminds me lots of shitty buildings I've seen.

[Derenik Baghramian · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is not so much to read.
A well designed small book, introducing conceptual diagrams for architects.

[Shreyasee Thakral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I'll keep coming back to this book now that I have started to learn Grasshopper.

[Viras Nikhil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super

[Bert Leung]

Not your average book but its really good. I enjoyed it and promotes thinking outside the square.

[Mahshid Parchami · Rating 4 out of 5]

کاتالوگی از ساخت و ایجاد تغییر در انواع احجام معماری. برای آشنایی با امکانات نرم افزارهای معماری که امکان مدلسازی انواع این فرم سازی ها رو میده بسیار مناسبه.

[Kristiina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy, helped me understand 3d modelling software. Nice picture book, would have loved more references though.

[Yasser Alali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful especially for students. Neat and self-explanatory diagrams describing basic mass/form manipulation. After reading this book, it becomes easier to understand the logic behind 3D software.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well designed and organized, but the concepts are not very prone to generalization. Fun visuals nevertheless, and potentially much more useful to a different audience.

[Kent Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting way to look at design, as a series of transformations.