The Inner Studio - Riverside Architectural Press

the built world rests with designers who have the experience and
the skills to work with introspection and the inner world of the
psyche.
The inner studio is home to the creative world that lives inside
us and asks to be built, represented, and acknowledged in the
places and artifacts of the built world. What keeps the designer on
the level and willing to inwardly negotiate through the intense
enthusiasms of the design process? Listening to his or her own
body, dreams, and shadow. These aspects of the psyche all support
transformation and are constantly sending messages that will guide
us and help create a sense of direction and traction through design
difficulties. The sign of their inclusion is a relaxed attitude, an inner
knowing that allows us to enjoy our work in spite of all the risks
involved. The inner studio is resource-rich, a container where spirit
and matter are brought together until they become one with our
hearts’ desires. We are searching for a way to generate images that
not only matter deeply to us and make us happy, but have the
greatest opportunity for bringing the same to the built world.
The Body
Too much animal distorts the civilized man, too much civilization makes
sick animals.
–C.G. JUNG
PART THREE | INNER RESOURCES
The Body as Designer
My own experience about the wisdom and creativity of the body
had a very simple starting point. I had just recovered from the flu
and found myself without any energy. Whenever I tried to return
to a busy life, flu-like symptoms would return and I would need to
rest; then the debilitating cycle of symptoms would repeat itself. I
became increasingly worried and afraid that I would never recover
my strength. This went on for weeks, then months, and then years.
I saw specialists and was sent for a series of medical tests looking
for tumors, parasites, depression, and blood-related problems.
Nothing showed up. I tried a wide range of alternative body and
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