Architecture has a strong link with the movies in terms of time

Host: The room feels creative, almost cinematic in its ambiance, as though the conversation is about to explore the intersection of architecture and visual storytelling. The soft evening light fills the space, casting long shadows that create a sense of depth and perspective. Outside, the world continues its usual rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels like it’s about to explore how the built environment can be as dynamic and engaging as a film. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, gazing out at the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how architecture can tell a story? How spaces can capture time, emotion, and movement, just like a movie does?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Architecture and storytelling? Yeah, it’s funny how buildings and spaces aren’t just about being functional—they can evoke emotions and tell a narrative, just like a film. What made you think about it?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Christian de Portzamparc said: ‘Architecture has a strong link with the movies in terms of time progression, sequencing, framing, all of that.’ It made me reflect on how architecture, like film, can guide us through an experience, shaping the way we move through a space, just like how a film shapes the way we experience a story.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that architecture, like film, is about progression and sequence? That it’s not just about how things look, but how they unfold, how they guide us through an experience, almost like a visual story?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Portzamparc’s point is that architecture, when done right, doesn’t just sit still. It engages with time and space, leading you from one moment to the next, much like how a movie frames a scene or tells a story. It’s about how you move through a space, how your perception of it changes as you walk through it, just as it does when watching a film unfold.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, creating a subtle shift in the conversation about architecture and its potential to be dynamic, engaging, and narrative-driven. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper message behind Portzamparc’s statement. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels rooted in a more profound understanding of how architecture can shape our experience.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. Architecture isn’t just about buildings—it’s about creating an experience, an unfolding story. The way spaces evolve and guide us from one part to another can have the same emotional impact as a film sequence, shaping how we feel and react.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. The best architecture doesn’t just house us—it moves us, it guides us through space and time, much like how a well-directed film leads the viewer through its narrative. It’s about creating a journey, where every moment, every angle, every frame, adds to the story of the space.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as the idea sinks in) “It’s liberating, isn’t it? To realize that architecture is more than just functional. It’s a way to craft an experience, to tell a story, to engage people in a way that’s almost cinematic.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. Architecture is a form of storytelling—one that shapes how we interact with the world around us. When we think about it as an unfolding narrative, it becomes much more than just structures and spaces; it becomes something that speaks to us, that moves us through time.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into a deeper understanding of architecture and its connection to storytelling. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the idea that architecture is not just about design, but about guiding people through an experience. Jeeny watches him, content in the realization that architecture, like film, can be an active, dynamic force that shapes our journey through space. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that the best architecture is the kind that tells a story, engages with time, and moves us forward.