MARRIAGE IS A BUILDING CALLED HOME

A home is more than just brick and mortar. Though we are spiritual beings, we

are housed in earthly bodies, which are our homes... We always relate home to

a physical place. A refuge. A place of peace and tranquillity. A physical place we can go

to. The structural integrity of that house... that building that we call home, then is a

substantially significant facet of its character.

I am currently in the rigours of building my house and have been carrying out extensive

research... discovering a whole new world outside my usual career. I have

been fascinated by the variety of building materials and the diverse designs available

out there. I have been intrigued by the principles that govern architecture and how plans

follow certain fundamentals to achieve very varying results. It has made me very

curious to add to my knowledge.

And knowledge, the continuous pursuit of understanding, leads one to enlightenment

and growth. In marriage, this is no different. We must continuously seek to grow our

knowledge pool because there is no school for marriage and family... other than marriage

and family. We learn as we go. However, there are fundamental principles that can

guide us on the way.

My study of architecture brought me to the one overarching SCHOOL OF THOUGHT that

influences the development of an architectural project.

FIRMITAS UTILITAS and VENUSTAS

SOLIDITY COMMODITY and DELIGHT

This premise was derived from the earliest writings on architecture as a career, from a

Roman Architect named Vitruvius, who considered an architect as a full expression of

the Renaissance Man—the possessor of universal understanding. Having a mastery

of engineering, art, and science to express his architectural creations holistically.

Fascinating stuff I tell you.

Further, this Renaissance man would translate the school of thought thus...

FIRMITAS – SOLID OR DURABLE—STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

UTILITAS – USEFUL – FUNCTIONAL UTILITY

VENUSTAS – BEAUTIFUL – SPACIAL DESIGN

In matters of philosophy, EMMANUAL KAMP classifies as such:

FIRMITAS - OBJECTIVE – SCIENTIFIC CALCULATIONS

UTILITAS - INTERSUBJECTIVE – SOCIAL INTERACTIVITY WITH OTHERS AND with THINGS

VENUSTAS - SUBJECTIVE – PERSONAL THOUGHTS, BELIEFS and FEELINGS

All this sounds a bit technical but the qualification of these precepts is really quite

easy to contextualise.

We go to The GREEKs and interact with their ethos of TRANSCENDENTALS to tie it all together... THE BIG

THREE...

THE TRUE, the GOOD, and the BEAUTIFUL.

OBJECTIVE or SCIENTIFIC – IS IT TRUE? Or not

INTERSUBJECTIVE or SOCIAL – IS IT GOOD? Or not

SUBJECTIVE or PERSONAL – IS IT BEAUTIFUL? Or not

I’m talking about my new pet project of building here... But really, these principles

transcend across all aspects of life...

As you start your family, you indeed are the architects of your home.

You will determine the Genus Loci, or Spirit of your place. You will determine the

experiences you and others will have when interacting with your family. You are

the pillars of your home... a pillar must stand strong; if it does not, the integrity of that

building is in trouble.

Add knowledge daily. It will equip you for each stage and each challenge.

And...

DAILY, in everything, apply THE BIG THREE...

Is it True?

Is it Good?

Is it Beautiful?

Build on these and you will reap from the satisfying... not perfect, but definitely satisfying journey of life

together.

And as you build, ask GOD, the Master Builder, to be your guide...

MWANIKI MAGERIA

Officiant