Honest Architecture
Through his projects in the rural studio, Samuel Mockbee explores what it means to have "an American architecture without pretense." He says that these projects "remind us that we can be as awed by the simple as by the complex and that if we pay attention, this will offer us a glimpse into what is essential to the future of American architecture: its honesty."
One example of this honesty is an Architecture 00 project mentioned by Jeremy Till in Scarcity contra Austerity. The firm won a competition to expand a school and after studying the space they recommended adjusting the break schedule to alleviate the congestion issues rather than proposing a physical change. Their honest and selfless design solution may have cost them in terms of their commission, but ultimately it helped to add value and relevance to the profession.
Taking a cue from Architecture 00, would being honest about our work transform the profession from what we know it as today?
One example of this honesty is an Architecture 00 project mentioned by Jeremy Till in Scarcity contra Austerity. The firm won a competition to expand a school and after studying the space they recommended adjusting the break schedule to alleviate the congestion issues rather than proposing a physical change. Their honest and selfless design solution may have cost them in terms of their commission, but ultimately it helped to add value and relevance to the profession.
Taking a cue from Architecture 00, would being honest about our work transform the profession from what we know it as today?
The Winchester Project - Youth Hub
Social Justice Centre
Various projects by Architecture 00 focus on social justice and equity
http://www.architecture00.net
Yes, but mainly in perception. By making moves like Architecture 00, we would be redefining what architecture is, showing it extends outside the bounds of the built environment.
ReplyDeleteI think the solution Architecture 00 proposed about simply changing the schedules was a noble one. We have this very flexible skill called design thinking and we should use it to its fullest extent - sometimes that isn't a traditionally architectural application. The issue with solutions like that is profit. How do you keep a business alive if you do things like this. I think this is the main thing holding people back from creative solutions such as these.
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