Brandon Ro

In this compelling presentation from the Norwegian Symposium on Beauty in Architecture 2025, Utah Valley professor Brandon Ro explores "A Systematic Approach to Ornaments," aiming to reclaim ornament as architecture's "forgotten language of beauty". He draws upon historical philosophy and contemporary theory to argue that ornament is far more than mere decoration; it is essential to beauty, emotion, culture, and well-being. Ro proposes that successful ornament should adhere to the Platonic triad of truth, goodness, and beauty. He discusses how ornament, when designed with beauty (truth), can symbolize universal order and connect to the sacred, echoing ancient Greek and Renaissance beliefs. When rooted in goodness, ornament defends authentic human experience and cultural memory by communicating a building's purpose through symbolic, mnemonic, and aesthetic means. Finally, he emphasizes that ornament, when founded on beauty, inspires the human spirit, nourishes the emotional brain, and evokes delight and satisfaction. The presentation includes examples from various cultures and historical periods, demonstrating ornament's universal communicative power and its proven ability to captivate human attention.

Recorded at third annual Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture conference in Oslo, May 2nd – 4th 2025.