In my mind, it’s important to remember that within Architecture, as with other design challenges; the art of problem-solving is intertwined with the art of storytelling. Creating something from nothing requires a necessity to give it meaning and dependable justification under scrutiny. The art of storytelling is the conduit when explaining an idea on any pitch, or taking someone through the process that got you to the results that you're now trying to sell or explain. Intrigue is an integral part of this.

To this end, I wish to share the work of Simon Stålenhag. His images, full novels in themselves, capture eloquently with bold strokes, a mastery of color and atmosphere the notions of Tension, Suspense, and Intrigue; all infused with an everyday commonplace familiarity of situation or reference that makes it impossible to hold our imaginations back from running forward filling in the blanks with questions, answers, scenarios, and enthusiasm.

I could wax lyrically on the skill involved in creating these images; their hard basic lines, their blocks of color application, and their tonal balance which none the less results in what feels almost photographic in representation. Yet it is the composition and the possible story that brings me back.

Note how the positioning of the eye-level sucks you into either being an active participant or a clandestine observation.

There is much to learn here.