Structural beauty in architecture and wallets

The principles of strength, utility, and beauty

Vitruvius, a Roman architect from around the 1st century BC, summarized the key points of architecture as strength, utility, and beauty (firmitas, utilitas, venustas).
SYRINX wallets are also designed with this architectural framework in mind.

Strength, utility and beauty in architecture

Strength <br>Not simply something that does not break, but the flow of force is not disrupted and the structure contributes to the creation of the space. The structure is not decorative, but supports the space, creates order and gives a sense of security. The structural beauty of architecture implies that the structure is not hidden but is used in the space.

Use <br>People's movements, line of sight, location, and how it is used. It must be natural in relation to its intended use. It must be rational. Architecture is only complete and can be evaluated when it is used.

Beauty is not merely decoration. It is proportion, rhythm, tension of surfaces, light and shadow. The expression of the materials and the overall appearance. It is an order to which human sensibilities respond. Architecture will not be loved for long if it is merely strong and functional. When beauty is added, it acquires a persuasiveness that transcends time.

Strength, utility and beauty in wallets

So what happens when you apply these three things to a wallet?

The purpose is clear: storage, visibility, access, holding, portability. It reduces hesitation and shortens the required movements. Functional beauty is often discussed in this area.

Its beauty is also easy to understand: the proportions, size, seams, white space, and the texture of the leather. The dignified presence is apparent the moment you pick it up.

The key is strength. The strength of a wallet is not just about making it sturdy.
Like wood and concrete, leather is a profound material that involves touch and changes over time.
It is possible to fix the shape by inserting a core material, but this only makes use of the characteristics of the surface layer of the leather.
If we compare it to food, clothing, and shelter, it's like hiding the flavor of ingredients with seasonings in cooking, or covering up the structure of a building with a different material.
Although it looks good, some of the original charm of the material is lost.

The structural beauty of SYRINX

When SYRINX uses the term structural beauty in its wallets, this is the focus.
The characteristics of the material function as a structure, establishing the shape and operation. In other words, the tension, flexibility, friction, and resilience of the leather are utilized directly in the product and its ease of use. This is where we believe the structural beauty of leather products lies.

This is the reason why I try to use as little core material as possible. If you sandwich the core material between thin pieces of leather, you can easily stabilize the shape. However, I want to make the most of the characteristics of the leather itself and make it work only with leather. This is the idea of ​​structural beauty.

For example, the inner hook of the Hitoe Fold is a symbolic example of the intersection of these three elements. It functions as a fastener using only leather, without relying on metal fittings, while preventing cards from falling out and regulating movement. By consolidating the roles without increasing the number of elements, and by utilizing the characteristics of the material, the contradiction is resolved, resulting in a tranquil appearance.

The wallet I want as an architect

Although architecture and wallets may be on different scales, I feel that they have the same goal.
Rather than just talking about beauty on the surface, we aim to fulfill a purpose, refine strength, and hone beauty.
This is why we design wallets as architects, and this is the form of beauty that SYRINX aims for.

(Text by Hirotaka Sato, CEO and designer of SYRINX)