Economy consists in a due and proper application of the means afforded according to the ability of the employer and the situation chosen; care being taken that the expenditure is prudently conducted.
VitruviusRead
Wherefore the mere practical architect is not able to assign sufficient reasons for the forms he adopts; and the theoretic architect also fails, grasping the shadow instead of the substance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Practical architects may lack the reasoning behind their designs, while theoretic architects focus on abstract concepts over tangible elements.
In this quote by Vitruvius, he expresses the challenge faced by architects who may be trapped in their own limitations. The practical architect often relies on tried-and-true methods but cannot articulate the deeper reasons for his choices, while the theoretic architect becomes enamored with abstract theories, missing the essential elements of real-world application. This highlights the importance of balancing practicality with theory in the field of architecture.
Themes
ArchitectureDesignTheoryPracticeBalance
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on architecture, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of theory in design.
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