banner?

Our Approach

Zuber Singh 730

Negative Space is a Subtle Thing

Like the Silent Note of Musical Piece, or the Unseen Words that Lay Between Lines of Poetry

As any artist might relate, there is no such thing as “empty” there is only negative space!

And negative space is a subtle thing, like the silent note of musical piece or the unseen words that lay between lines of poetry. It exists as it is, as substance to be appreciated, but it also as a platform for infinite potential. This philosophy forces one to forget the very form of one’s creation, and instead define it by everything it is not.

Here at our workshop, negative space is our dearest friend. We appreciate it both as accentuation, and as a challenge to fulfill- emphasis on the “fill”. Versed as we are in woodwork, we find metal fabrication allows us to meet our challenges and accentuate the pre-existing in a way that is beautiful, practical, and customized to a tee.

At the core of our philosophy, we seek to embody custom artistry to all our work. One cannot simply buy the vision of their inner eye at an online store; custom craft is a process that requires a deep collaboration and a professional insight to balance aesthetics and practicality. Our fabrication, in particular, is especially innovative, and we thrive in the solutions-based grey area between dreams and reality. Take for example this custom designed aluminum walkway, which was specially fabricated to fit in the snaking negative space dividing this cedar deck.

This walkway was fabricated in-house using locally sourced aluminum and painstakingly matched to drift seamlessly through the deck. The only miracle suspending this bridge is ingenuity. It was commissioned from a vision, to rest the walkway on the wooden deck like a stream, just as a river glides over the landscape. Though that may not be possible in the real world, with a little bit of illusion craft we managed to make it play the part!

These hangers are a unique specimen, designed to blend in perfectly to their surroundings and yet provide an unshakable structural foundation. To further the mirage of seamlessness, we carefully matched every plank of the deck with the beams of the walkway, almost like a complex and crafty game of connect the dots. They say good magicians never reveal their tricks, but we just had to show this one off!

At Lopez Contracting our fabrication booth, like all our subservices, strikes an optimal balance of aesthetics of the dream world and practicality of the working day. The platform that makes is excel in every operation is our communication, which at the cornerstone of our process means respecting the vision of our clients, be it in sourcing, fabricating, or finishing any metal product, whether that be table legs, walkways, or a cantilever.

Rate article

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Share

Print

Comment

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Our Triple Crown Philosophy


Some years ago, I innately understood that a building structure should have three important attributes. First, it should be structurally sound. Second, it should be aesthetically pleasing. Third, it should be attainable or affordable. Ever since, I have strived to make everything I do worthy of this triple crown of excellence.

During a ferry ride to Vancouver, I saw my young son had drawn Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man in my notebook. To my surprise, my son’s sketch led me to discover the historic importance of this idea. This world-famous sketch of a man in a circle, his arms outstretched in two different overlapping poses, has become iconic. A Wikipedia search showed me how Da Vinci was inspired by proportions described by Vitruvius in his ancient treatise of De Architectura.

Vitruvius was arguably the greatest architect in history. His work is the only major surviving publication on architecture from classical antiquity. It was written for Emperor Augustus, made famous in the Bible for his census which brought Jesus’ parents to Bethlehem. Eminent Roman architects such as Vitruvius were skilled in engineering, art, and craftsmanship. As an army engineer himself, Vitruvius had overseen all manner of building and construction for wars and settlements across Europe and North Africa.

The most famous maxim of Vitruvius was that architecture should embody three qualities: utilitias, firmitas, and venustas. In English, this means that great handiwork should be useful, sturdy, and with beautiful proportions. (Just imagine what Venus, the goddess of love, might look like.)

I was delighted and not disappointed to find out that my idea was old and not new. It gives me more motivation than ever to offer you the product of a triple crown craftsman: sturdy, useful, and beautiful work at a reasonable price.