Liq Design Lab

Liq Design Lab We believe better spaces can improve human life.

LIQ DESIGN LAB is a public human-centered design laboratory exploring how humans live in space through observation, experimentation, research, and applied design.

12/08/2026

Our journey through Lalibela begins here.

⛪ Bete Medhane Alem — “House of the Saviour of the World.”

One of the largest and most remarkable of Lalibela's rock-hewn churches, carved directly from the living rock.

But how was it made?

Why does it look the way it does?

And what can its architecture tell us about the people who created it?

Today, we take our first look.

Next, we go deeper.

📍 Lalibela, Ethiopia

10/08/2026

Lalibela isn't just 11 churches carved into rock.
There are different ways these churches relate to the rock:
🧱 Built-up
⛏️ Monolithic
🪨 Rock-hewn / cave
And they're organized into different groups.
In this series, we're going to explore them one by one—their history, construction, architecture, and the stories behind them.
Which church should we explore first?

07/08/2026

The votes are in, and our next architectural series begins with one of humanity's most extraordinary achievements: the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela.

Carved directly into solid volcanic rock during the 12th and 13th centuries, these churches continue to inspire architects, historians, engineers, and visitors from around the world.

When the Portuguese missionary and explorer Francisco Álvares visited Ethiopia in the 16th century, he described the churches with great admiration, noting that many people would struggle to believe such structures could exist.

This episode is an introduction to the series. In the coming weeks, we'll explore each church individually—its history, architecture, symbolism, and construction—revealing why Lalibela remains one of the world's greatest architectural treasures.

Join us as we rediscover this masterpiece, one church at a time.

05/08/2026

We’ve all heard the famous rule: “Form follows function.” It means a building or object's shape should always match its purpose—like how scissors are shaped for your fingers.

✂️ But what happens when we flip it? What if function follows form?

Sometimes, a bold and unique shape is built first, and we figure out how to use it later.

Which side are you on? Does purpose shape design, or does design inspire new purposes? Let us know below! 👇

03/08/2026

Paris is often admired for its elegant boulevards, but their origins reveal an important lesson about urban planning.

During the reign of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann transformed Paris with wide avenues, improved infrastructure, parks, and public spaces. The redesign enhanced sanitation and mobility while also reflecting political and strategic objectives of the time.
This transformation reminds us that cities are shaped not only by engineering and aesthetics, but also by social, political, and historical forces.

In this episode, we explore how the redesign of Paris became one of the most influential urban planning projects in history.

31/07/2026

Architecture is one of humanity's most enduring historical records.

Long after languages evolve and documents disappear, buildings continue to reveal how societies lived, what they valued, and how they organized their communities.
From homes and markets to temples and public spaces, architecture reflects culture, technology, politics, and everyday life. Studying the built environment is, in many ways, another way of studying history.

In this episode, we explore how architecture helps us understand civilizations across time—and why every building becomes part of the historical record.

Question: If someone studied today's buildings 500 years from now, what do you think they would learn about our society?

29/07/2026

🏛 Which building should we review next?

It can be anywhere in the world.

A skyscraper.
A museum.
A church.
A stadium.
A house.

👇 Comment your suggestion, and it might be our next video!

27/07/2026

What if architecture doesn't always start with function?

We often hear the phrase "Form Follows Function."

But some of the world's most memorable buildings began with an idea, a symbol, or a vision—and then their function was carefully shaped to fit that form.

This philosophy is known as "Function Follows Form."

Neither approach is always right or always wrong.

Some projects demand efficiency.
Others inspire culture, identity, and emotion.

The best architecture understands when to prioritize function, when to celebrate form, and how to balance both.

👇 Which approach do you prefer?

🏛️ Form Follows Function
🎨 Function Follows Form
⚖️ Or a balance of both?

24/07/2026

Why do some buildings look the way they do?
Is it because they're beautiful?
Or because they're designed to do a specific job?
More than 100 years ago, architect Louis Sullivan introduced the idea "Form Follows Function." The principle suggests that a building's shape should be guided by what it is meant to do.
But is that always true?
Should every building prioritize function over appearance, or can great architecture balance both?
Watch the video and let us know your thoughts.
👇 Do you believe form should follow function, or can form come first?

22/07/2026

Thinking about studying Architecture?

Architecture is more than designing buildings.
It's about solving problems, understanding people, shaping cities, and creating spaces where life happens.
If you're curious, creative, enjoy science, technology, art, or simply love asking "Why is it built this way?"—architecture might be the path for you.
The world doesn't just need more buildings.
It needs better ones.
🎓 Grade 12 students: Is architecture on your list of university choices? Tell us why—or why not—in the comments.

Address

Addis Abeba
Addis Abeba

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Liq Design Lab posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category