Professionals have recommended books to young architects for concept development, design, project management, and interior detailing. However, one book that can shift the mindset from amateur architect to refined entrepreneur is Jake Morrissey’s The Genius in the Design. The book consists of fourteen chapters, each exploring the transformation of the design, patrons, and career between two geniuses of the Renaissance period: Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. The rivalry between the two started forming a connection that genius is nourished by the rivalry of creativity, networking, and the attitude towards your work. While it may seem like a historical account detailing buildings, structures, sculptures, and architecture they designed, each layer unfolds the designers’ personal journeys, development, and attitudes towards their work and coordination with their patrons. Although many architects do not widely recommend the Genius in the Design, it remains an excellent resource for self-development and resilience, both essential in this profession. Jake Morrissey studied architecture and has more than twenty years of research experience. The way he detailed the connections between patrons, papacy, princes, and the architects is something out of a fiction novel, a fairytale, but more cautious, filled with facts, and a diplomatic and shrewder approach to the controversies, capturing the true aura of the architects ‘ commission in the Renaissance period. These rivalries initiated insignia for the Baroque Architecture and suicide: impetus and unpremeditated. The synergy of Rome is challenged, as it is unable to accept a difficult and complex architect like Borromini, while Rome’s history is filled with madmen and temperamental artists.
Analyses and Great Points
In this book, he traced the life and achievements of two towering personalities of Rome, filled with details that have done justice. When writing history regarding these subjects, it is often filled with dry scripture that may become saturated and overwhelming for its readers. Jake Morrissey added emotions, feelings, and satire, explaining each situation and the entanglements the artists were going through. Management is important, related to scandals, patrons, relationships, networking, and design. It is something every architect and artist has gone through this road, and the book provides the details to overcome such challenges with grace and diplomacy. Architects become architects after crossing a rigorous routine and challenging deadline. Once they have graduated, getting a license or a job is another challenging task. Naturally, they become possessed about their concepts and designs, which is another situation discussed in detail for their growth, self-development, and soft relations with clients. The architects were guided to maintain and adopt adaptability in their designs, which reflects the vision and satisfaction of the client rather than their own. An example from the book is Francesco Borromini’s first commission for the generous but magnificent San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane; his eye for detail and fascinating elements were incorporated seamlessly with a church of generous scale. Borromini’s signature style wasn’t compromised at all, and the value and worth of the property were appreciated. This is the essence every architect must adopt without compromising much on their original work and concept.
The book emphasises the importance of competition and rivalry between creative minds. This competition made Rome witness the beautiful, grand, and magnificent structures of the century. Bernini and Borromini, both born in the same period, had set an example for the young architects to face competition and new possibilities with a calm mind and creativity. Bernini’s diplomatic skills, alliances, and graceful poise towards the pope and princes of the court helped him in gaining magnificent and grand-scale projects, while Borromini’s insistence on artistic value over everything deters him from potential works. One important aspect is that arts and politics are correlated, and as a professional, you have to deal with these situations with a peaceful mind for securing projects, the trust of your clients, and avoiding distractions and unnecessary information or details. The conclusion is to balance your arts with ongoing politics and situation to gain trust and better insight for securing your project and reputation. Second is adaptability, a crucial skill to be practiced and applied to the client’s expectations and vision. For example, Bernini, even after facing harsh public critique, setbacks, and mishaps in design and execution, exhibits adaptability and a flexible concept that ensured his long-term success. On the contrary, Borromini, a pure innovator and artist, with fascinating and breathtaking ideas, lost all his support from the Roman elite due to his incensed approach and rigidity, which alienated his clients from his final vision. So, be careful and remain calm.
Another important point is to understand the power of personal branding. Its importance is perceived by many artists and architects later in their lives, but Bernini strategically developed it even after multiple setbacks. In contemporary times, this aspect is crucial, and architects must understand its importance. Books by Austin Kleon and Simon Squib: Show Your Work and What’s Your Dream are to be introduced by the university faculty at a very initial stage, where portfolios, public relations, and social media are represented as an opportunity rather than a threat to creativity. All these elements play a critical role in professional success. So, students and young architects or someone who is starting, must consistently craft a public image for themselves, and that aspect is highly detailed in Jake Morrissey’s writings.
The writings of the book The Genius in the Design remind that talent alone is not enough to build an impression in the design world, to leave behind stories of perseverance and resilience, apart from buildings and structures. This is possible through navigating competitions, rivalries, and relationships with the clients, architects, and peers. Young architects must focus on strong networks for the recognition of their work, as Bernini did. He, with his sensible humor and work ethic, easily binds the trust of his clients, who include popes and princes of the court. His work was not only remembered but studied, analysed, and embedded in the core memory of Rome. To build your worth and turn into a legacy, the possession of advanced tools along with skills also demands trust-building strategies, to be valued and remembered in the long term.
Strengths and Weaknesses in Morrissey’s Writing
Jake Morrissey’s writing style is compelling and irresistible as he defines the intricacies and flaws of the personalities of Rome’s two dearest figures: Bernini and Borromini. The correlation can be compared with contemporary challenges, rather than just defining buildings. Jake Morrissey analysed the reasons for their success and failures, and they should be learned and adopted as soon as one gets into architecture. It is understandable to anyone and gives a vivid description of political and artistic tensions and the drama of the Baroque period. Jake Morrissey’s perspective, in the end, seems biased. He supports Bernini due to his diplomatic nature, grace, and well-trained skills, while overshadowing the innovative nature of Borromini. Anger and his temperament were redundantly used in the writings, but the reason behind his behaviour or the decline of his mental health is not clearly stated. The book paved the path of entrepreneurship skills, and the architects should thoroughly analyse it.
This book is a compelling read for all creative people and architects who want to know about successful practices to excel in the architecture or arts profession. Jake emphasised time and again the strength of networking with the right people, this will help your work to be seen and appreciated by the right audience. He explained this imperatively by connecting historical facts that are valuable in present times. It is a book filled with professional lessons on creativity and resilience, adaptability and strategic thinking. It is a must-read for those who want to know what it takes to leave a lasting impact while occupied with skills and wit. So, read well and enjoy.
Reference List:
Morrissey, J. (2009). The Genius in the Design. Harper Collins.
Otto, C.F. (2020). Francesco Borromini | Italian Architect | Britannica. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francesco-Borromini.
Rcdos.ca. (2024). Knights of Columbus fund St. Peter’s Baldachin restoration at the Vatican – Catholic Saskatoon News. [online] Available at: https://news.rcdos.ca/2024/03/02/knights-of-columbus-fund-st-peters-baldachin-restoration/ [Accessed 6 May 2025].
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020). San Carlo Alle Quattro Fontane | church, Rome, Italy | Britannica. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/San-Carlo-alle-Quattro-Fontane.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica (2015). Baroque Architecture. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/Baroque-architecture.
www.st-peters-basilica-tickets.com. (2023). St. Peter’s Chair | Throne of Peter the Apostle. [online] Available at: https://www.st-peters-basilica-tickets.com/st-peters-chair/.
