At first glance, the terms Honesty and Deceit may sound like human traits but “buildings can act like humans too”. This philosophical Ideology of Honesty and Deceit has long been explored since the 19th century through the works of John Ruskin, Viollet-Le-Duc and more.

In my opinion, Honesty is not the way we present architecture today. While there are many topics of discussion in this theme, my narrative for this triptych lies with the issue of structural expressiveness and material honesty: The Lamp of Truth.

Architects today spend a big portion of time on technical drawings, figuring out minute details of construction elements, component fit and joinery which are often concealed by a fake facade and an unrelated surface finish. My goal is to expose this unseen by revealing the hidden building blocks which construct a project and without which it couldn’t be built. A one which is often forgotten and conceals the truth. 

The images of the ruins and derelict buildings pose an interesting argument to Honesty and Deceit. The decaying and weathering of materials reveal the truth by showcasing the different layers of built materials and structure, exposing that which is often hidden. Ruins dictate this quality of timelessness of past, present and future by revealing the unseen. It’s almost like a ruin takes you back in time during the construction phase but at the same time juxtaposes the finished building.

Abuses such as plastered brick cladding systems over timber structural supports and roof beams concealed by a false ceiling deceit the viewer as to the true nature of materials and the amount of work required to construct the project. Buildings which once are deceitful, through the process of aging start to display this honesty and truth of the construction layers. It's uncanny how this is symbolic to the aging process of humans. As a man grows older he is said to become wiser and more Honest just like a building does in its last stages.