A relevant work of design must be sensitive on a social
and practical level, meaningful from an ethical and philosophical perspective
and engaging on a physical and emotive level. In developing each work
of design, Loom is guided by three fundamental working principles; Social
Ethics, Material Philosophy and Persistent History.
SOCIAL ETHICS
We
live life concerned with degrees of sensitivity and appropriateness
in a social and environmental context.
Works of design should be profoundly humane, defining our desire to
express the richness of life and our connection to it and to other people.
If thought, memory and care are humane traits each work of design should
intimately reflect these traits. Design is the link between one person
and another.
Loom is always thinking about our companionship relationship to the
world; about the future that we leave to the world so that it may sustain.
Works of design are inextricably linked to plants, animals, rocks, air,
water, light; design is the link between people and the world.
Beauty should always be fundamental to sustainability; sustainability
does not end with technological advance, material choice or moral judgment.
Beauty cannot just be skin deep; it must reflect deep character, integrity
and honesty. To be considered beautiful a work of design must be loved,
perform richly and persist. Loom links companionship with character.
MATERIAL PHILOSOPHY
We experience a profoundly
physical life in which we engage the environment in a corporeal and
phenomenal way with thoughtfulness, respect and responsibility. through
all our senses.
Works of design are physical things imbued with the forces
of life. To think a stone dumb and inert is to miss the sense of spirit
and time embedded in its core; the history of its long life. Loom treats
material with reverence and understanding. We study the life of a material
as we might study the life of a person. What is its history? What relationships
does it foster in the world? What does it want to be?
Material can support great relationships and noble intentions; be helpful,
safe, supportive, beautiful, inspiring, reposed, confident, noble. Many
materials have these qualities, which are often overlooked; a concrete
block can be as noble as stone if treated with respect. Many materials
lack virtuous qualities, often because they form antagonistic relationships
with people, places and things.
Loom does not employ any material that harbors detriment towards energy,
health, safety or love; any material that is unsustainable for people
and the planet. Materials can be used; they should never be abused or
used up. Loom is loving and wise about material.
PERSISTENT HISTORY
We
learn from what has come before us as we live the present and envision
the future.
Works of design come into being through evolution,
not revolution. What may be perceived as revolutionary has come about
by inquiry; recognizing previously unrelated forces and forming new
relationships. Like genetic material for living things, each design
situation has its own DNA and latent potential activated when it becomes
a work of design. All design of the present and future draws on the
past from a genetic well of infinite depth.
Loom is a practice dedicated to lifelong inquiry. Each design project
is grounded on research into the past so that the future may be designed
with meaningful continuity. Loom learns through inquiry and draws the
future through the past.
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