Henry Wotton, a late renaissance author said "Well building hath three conditions: Commodity, Firmness, and Delight," which comes from his 1624 book, The Elements of Architecture. This was a translation from the great Vitruvius, a Roman Architect, that wrote a multi-volume work on architectural theory, De architecture, 17 centuries prior to Wotton’s. De architecture is the only known text to have survived from antiquity in regard to architecture.

Since the fall of the Roman Empire, most of the written works on how and why Romans constructed magnificent buildings were almost entirely lost to history. The Renaissance was a period of great revival of Ancient Greek and Roman art, science, and engineering in Europe.

Vitruvius’ work inspired those such as Leonard Da Vinci to draw out perfect proportions in architecture and the human body, such as the Vitruvian Man.

This Wotton’s phrase elegantly summarizes the foundational principles of architectural design and theory, which are still relevant today.

Commodity (Utility) refers to the functionality and utility of a building. It emphasizes that architecture should serve the needs of its users, providing convenience and suitability for the activities for which it is intended.

Firmness (Strength) involves the stability and structural integrity of a building. It underscores the importance of a building being safely constructed and durable, capable of standing solidly and fulfilling its intended lifespan without requiring excessive maintenance.

Delight (Beauty) focuses on the aesthetic appeal and the pleasure architecture can provide to both its occupants and passersby. This aspect encourages architects to consider beauty and artistic expression in their designs, aiming to elevate structures beyond mere utility to become sources of inspiration and joy.

Wotton’s articulation of these three conditions essentially provides a framework for evaluating good architecture, suggesting that a well-designed building must meet these interdependent criteria to be considered successful. This triad also reflects the Vitruvian principles of 'Utilitas, Firmitas, and Venustas' (Utility, Strength, and Beauty), highlighting a timeless connection to classical architectural philosophy that still holds true today.

When deciding on what to design and build, I’ll be sure to go back to these fundamentals that was the bread and butter for these ancient builders. Every detail, large and small, should address these three conditions.