The phrase "standing on the shoulders of giants" is a metaphor which means "using the understanding gained by those who have gone before us in order to make intellectual progress". In architecture, precedents refer to existing buildings, structures, and design solutions that have demonstrated success and relevance. By studying and analyzing these precedents, we as architects gain valuable insights into the principles, strategies, and ideas that have shaped the design of similar projects. The use of precedents is not about imitating or copying a previous design but rather about about learning from previously executed design solutions by critically analyzing what has worked or not worked, and applying that knowledge to a current project.
Recently, I travelled to Asunción, Paraguay courtesy of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) to visit and learn from the football facilities recently constructed by the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol (APF) including the technical centers, dormitory building, kitchen and laundry facilities, football fields, FUTSAL field, beach football court, drains and landscaping, electrical and irrigation, etc as well as their historic and iconic stadium facility the Defensores del Chaco Stadium.
Though I was plagued with a migraine on the first day, the visit proved to be extremely enlightening. I was able to gain insights on the factors that influenced their design and construction solutions, an understanding of how these facilities worked, what materials, furniture, equipment, and technology yielded the best value, and importantly grasp the key relationships between facilities and spaces that were needed for the optimal operations of these facilities.
The trip was planned for an opportune time and based on the insights gained from visiting these facilities, I will be working with my clients to revise our draft space programming estimates and master plan, and finalizing them.
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