Big Lex - The Story Of A Design Collective

The journey of Big, sometimes thought of as a kind of big lex in the world of design, really began quite small. For two decades, this group has seen a steady, natural kind of expansion. It started with just one person, the founder, and then, you know, it grew to feel more like a close-knit family. Now, it has become a substantial group, a collective of 700 individuals working together, which is pretty impressive, actually.

This growth, this continuous expansion, has led to what they call their most recent shift. It’s been a significant change, a kind of major forward movement, something they refer to as the "big leap." This particular step shows how much they've changed and adapted over time, always looking to move ahead in their work.

Their work covers a lot of different areas, too, which is quite broad. You'll find them involved in things like shaping the land around buildings, making sure structures are sound, creating the buildings themselves, planning how spaces will be used, and even making everyday items. It’s a very wide scope of creative effort, you know, touching many parts of how we experience places and objects.

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Table of Contents

• How Did Big Lex Start Its Journey?
• What Does The Big Lex Group Do?
• How Does Big Lex Approach Design?
• What Is Unique About Big Lex's Building Ideas?
• Did Big Lex Work With Simple Shapes?
• How Has Big Lex's Design Thinking Changed?
• What Does Big Lex Consider For The Future?
• What Kind of Community Spaces Does Big Lex Create?

How Did Big Lex Start Its Journey?

The story of Big, which some might call the big lex of creative groups, really shows how something can start small and get much, much bigger. It began, you know, with just one person, a founder who had an idea, a vision for something new. That single person laid the groundwork for everything that came later.

Over a period of twenty years, this group didn't just add people quickly. Instead, it grew in a very natural, almost organic way. It was a slow and steady kind of build-up, like a plant putting out new shoots. This method of growth meant that each new addition felt like a natural part of the whole, actually.

From that single founder, the group started to feel more like a family. People joined, and they worked together, supporting each other, building a shared purpose. This sense of closeness, you know, helped them stay connected as they added more individuals to their ranks. It was a very human kind of expansion.

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Eventually, this family of designers and thinkers became a significant presence, a group of 700 people. To be honest, that’s a lot of talent and different viewpoints all working together. This large number of people means they have a lot of collective energy and ideas, making them a real force in their field.

Their most recent big shift, the "big leap," shows this ongoing desire to move forward. It’s not about staying still; it's about constant movement and improvement. This current phase is just another step in their long and interesting story of getting bigger and more influential.

What Does The Big Lex Group Do?

The group known as Big, a kind of big lex in its wide scope, covers many different areas of design. They don't just stick to one thing; they spread their creative efforts across several fields. This broad approach allows them to think about projects from many different angles, which is really quite clever.

For instance, they work with landscape. This means they think about the outdoor spaces around buildings, how they look, and how people use them. It's about shaping the ground, adding plants, and creating pleasant outdoor environments, you know, making sure the outside connects well with the inside.

They also deal with engineering. This part is about making sure buildings and structures are strong and safe. It involves all the technical details that keep things standing and working properly. Basically, they make sure their creative ideas can actually be built and will last.

Architecture is a core part of what they do. This is about designing the actual buildings, from the ground up. They think about how a building will look, how it will function for the people inside, and how it will fit into its surroundings. It’s about creating spaces that serve a purpose and also look good.

Planning is another big piece of their work. This involves thinking about how entire areas or communities will be laid out. It’s about organizing spaces, roads, and services so that everything works together smoothly. They consider the bigger picture, you know, how different parts of a place will interact.

And then there's products. This means they even design smaller, everyday items. From things you might hold in your hand to pieces of furniture, they apply their design principles to these smaller scales as well. It shows their attention to detail, you know, that design thinking can be applied to almost anything.

How Does Big Lex Approach Design?

When Big, a kind of big lex in its design approach, sets out to create a new building, their method is quite thoughtful. They don't just come up with ideas out of nowhere. Instead, their plans for a brand new structure are deeply connected to the place where it will stand.

Their designs are, in a way, rooted in the feel and look of the local area. This means they pay close attention to what's already there, the existing buildings, the natural features, and the overall vibe of the neighborhood. They want their new creation to belong, to feel like it grew from that spot, actually.

They also make good use of the building envelope, which is basically the allowed shape and size a building can take on a particular piece of land. This isn't seen as a limitation, but rather as something they can work with. They figure out how to make the most of these given boundaries, you know, finding creative solutions within the rules.

A key part of their method involves creating shapes that flow and move. For instance, they might design something that continuously cascades, meaning it steps down or spills over in a gentle, flowing way. This kind of movement in a building's form can make it feel more dynamic and less rigid, which is pretty interesting.

It's about making a building that fits in but also has its own special character. They want their designs to be unique while still respecting the place they're built in. This balance between fitting in and standing out is a hallmark of their approach, you know, making something new feel old and familiar at the same time.

What Is Unique About Big Lex's Building Ideas?

What makes the building ideas from Big, a kind of big lex of fresh thinking, stand out is how they blend new forms with the existing feel of a place. They really look at the surroundings before putting pencil to paper. This careful consideration of the local scene helps them create something that feels right at home, even if it's completely new.

They take advantage of what's already defined for a building's shape and size on a particular piece of land. This isn't about ignoring those boundaries. Instead, it's about seeing them as a starting point, a framework within which they can create something special. They use these given limits to their benefit, which is pretty smart, you know.

Their designs often feature elements that move in a fluid way, like water flowing down. The idea of "continuously cascading" suggests a soft, stepped progression in the building's form. This can make a large structure feel lighter and more connected to the ground, almost like it's part of the natural slope, actually.

This approach means that their buildings don't just sit on the land; they interact with it. They seem to grow from the site, rather than just being placed upon it. It's a way of designing that respects the environment and the feel of the area, while still being very modern and inventive. They want their buildings to have a conversation with their surroundings, in a way.

Did Big Lex Work With Simple Shapes?

When Big, a kind of big lex of design ideas, was asked to create the 2016 Serpentine Pavilion, they made a very interesting choice. They decided to work with something very fundamental, one of the most basic building blocks of all architecture. This was a deliberate decision, you know, to go back to square one.

Instead of trying to come up with something overly complex, they focused on a really simple element. This shows a belief that even the simplest forms can lead to something truly special and thought-provoking. It's about finding the beauty and possibility in the most straightforward ideas, actually.

This approach suggests that you don't always need to invent something completely new to be creative. Sometimes, taking a very basic concept and exploring it in depth can lead to the most impactful results. It’s a way of showing that good design can come from anywhere, even the most unassuming places.

Their choice for the pavilion shows a kind of respect for the core principles of building. By using a basic element, they could highlight its potential and show how it could be transformed into something quite remarkable. It was a clear statement about the power of simple forms, in a way.

How Has Big Lex's Design Thinking Changed?

Big's design thinking, which some consider the big lex of evolving ideas, has really changed and grown over time. It hasn't stayed the same since they started; instead, it has continued to develop and refine itself. This ongoing process of refinement is a key part of how they work, you know.

The main goal behind this evolution has always been to make sure they're coming up with the best possible answers to design challenges. They want their solutions to be as good as they can be, always striving for improvement. It’s about constantly looking for ways to do things better, actually.

They think about how things work, the "function" of a building or a product. This means making sure that whatever they design serves its purpose effectively and is easy to use. A good design, to them, means it does what it's supposed to do, and does it well.

They also consider the "program," which is about how spaces will be used and for what activities. This involves thinking about the people who will be in the building and what they will be doing there. It's about creating spaces that support the intended activities, in a way.

Sustainability is another big part of their thinking. This means they try to design in ways that are good for the planet and don't use up too many resources. They consider the environmental impact of their projects, aiming for solutions that are responsible and long-lasting, which is pretty important these days.

And finally, they look at "future security." This means designing things that will remain relevant and useful for years to come. They try to anticipate future needs and changes, so their creations can adapt and continue to serve their purpose well into the future. It's about building for tomorrow, you know, not just for today.

What Does Big Lex Consider For The Future?

When Big, a kind of big lex in forward-thinking design, considers the future, they look at several key areas. They don't just think about what's needed right now. Instead, they try to build things that will stand the test of time and remain valuable as things change.

One major consideration is how well their designs will function over many years. They want their buildings and products to keep working effectively, even as technology or people's habits shift. It's about making sure the core purpose of the design stays strong, you know, no matter what comes next.

They also think about how the "program" of a space might evolve. A building might be used for different things in the future than it is today. So, they try to create designs that are flexible enough to allow for those changes. This adaptability is a very important aspect of future-proofing their work, actually.

Sustainability, of course, plays a big role in their long-term view. They aim for solutions that are environmentally sound and won't contribute to problems down the line. This means choosing materials and methods that are gentle on the planet, ensuring their creations are good citizens of the world, in a way.

And then there's the idea of "future security" itself. This means designing with an eye toward what might happen years from now. It's about creating structures and systems that can handle unforeseen challenges or opportunities. They want their designs to be resilient and ready for whatever the future holds, which is a very thoughtful approach.

What Kind of Community Spaces Does Big Lex Create?

Big, a kind of big lex for community-focused designs, has created spaces that are truly meant to serve people. One example is a travel center, which they imagined as a piece of social infrastructure. This means it’s more than just a place for travel; it’s a place that supports how people live and connect, you know.

A travel center, in their view, isn't just about buses or trains. It's about creating a spot where people can gather, rest, and interact. It becomes a hub, a place that helps the community function better by providing a comfortable and useful space for everyone who passes through, actually.

Designing something as "social infrastructure" means thinking about how it will foster connections and make daily life easier for many different people. It's about building places that encourage interaction and provide services that benefit the wider group, not just individuals.

This approach shows their commitment to making places that are more than just buildings. They want their designs to contribute positively to the social fabric of an area. They aim to create spaces that feel welcoming and useful to everyone, which is a pretty human-centered way of thinking about design, in a way.

The travel center, as an example, becomes a point where different paths cross, and people from various backgrounds can come together, even if just for a short time. It’s a physical representation of community support, you know, designed to make people's journeys, both literally and figuratively, a little bit better.

This article explored Big, sometimes called "big lex," from its beginnings as a single founder to its current status as a large group of 700 people. We looked at its significant transformation, referred to as the "big leap," and its wide range of work, including landscape, engineering, architecture, planning, and product design. The piece also covered Big's design approach, which connects new buildings to their local surroundings, and its focus on using basic architectural elements. Finally, it touched on how Big's design thinking has evolved to consider function, program, sustainability, and future security, with an example of a travel center designed as a piece of social infrastructure.