An example of form equals function, or where a function creates the ideal form for a seasonal sales vehicle in its simplest form. I e-mailed the company a couple weeks ago in regards to the inspiration for this structure. Was it a marketing professional who came up with the idea? An engineer, specialist contractor, entrepreneur or even an architect? I didn't get a response and no one working there had any idea.Air-supported structures have been around for decades now and have evolved into a variety of smaller scale seasonal uses. Clearly the engineering would be the driving force behind the application. Where would we be without engineers? But as I look at this structure and contemplate the variety of sources from which the concept may have originated, perfection of the form equals function ideal, I have to wonder how relevant is the architect? As architecture becomes more technology driven, are architects becoming glorified technicians? A set of tools and management skills driven by markets, trends, production demands and the pursuit of public funded projects that anyone of reasonable intellect can master? Where the obvious as well as the artistic innovation is missed? ... Scary!
