The answer is simple
Design has the ability to solve deep and complex problems, but
this often comes with knowing what questions need to be answered. Aravena
mentions that it is useless to answer the wrong question perfectly, but more
important to ask the right question. This is an idea we all seem to overlook,
perhaps the elation of answering something correctly has shadowed our desire to
put forth the effort to find the correct question. But if our design caters to
the wrong question, then we can be sure to fail at our job (and possibly make
the situation worse).
I’m not sure whether or not the majority of the profession has
accepted our devalued nature, but I suspect it is the case as the current way
of practice places more emphasis on the dollar signs and the client’s smile.
But if anything, Aravena’s TED Talk helps us see through this unfortunate
reality. We have the power, through our design, to make an impact on the world
and help solve (or at least address) real life issues in communities all over
the world. What we need to understand is that the solution in Clemson, SC is
not the solution in a small town in Europe. The local
community will define the problem and is essential for the solution.
Aravena also mentions that the more complex the problem, the more
the need for simplicity. Often, we see a complex situation and believe that the
solution must also be complex, but if we attack it with a level of common sense
and a rational logic (perhaps information provided from the local community),
more often than not, the answer can be simple.
It’s a shame that today we are designing for the client, the man
(or woman) with the money. But we can’t let that limit our value to the
community. The reading talks of how architects were (and still are) in direct relation to the
people in power, but if we live in a democracy, aren’t the people in power? Shouldn’t
they be defining what we do? The answer is simple (as Aravena said it would
be); I believe we can have more power and influence (which increases our value)
if we actually stop being complacent with rich clients and use our boasted
creative and critical minds to solve real life community problems…we all know
that the government won’t be doing it.
Image credits:
http://dnarchitecture.com/architecture-fees/
http://www.dw.com/en/architecture-for-the-people/g-19277685
Image credits:
http://dnarchitecture.com/architecture-fees/
http://www.dw.com/en/architecture-for-the-people/g-19277685
That is a good question. How do we practice architecture which does society good as a whole? I am not sure if there is any one way to answer this.
ReplyDeleteOur profession is a tricky one, because we are always going to be working for a client who might not care about what we value as designers. I guess it is important to work for the right sort of client, but what if you have no choice? If I have a family to support and I disagree with the hand that feeds me, I'll probably go ahead and just do what they want so I can get a pay check. It is terrible, but that is the reality.
That film that we saw at the end of class was an answer to the question. Walter Segal was trying to create a system that people could assemble on their own without a "designer" involved. They were the designers, able to know every detail of their lives and what was the perfect environment for them. They already knew the right questions and having that system was their answer. I don't think it was a perfect answer to the question, but it had a lot of merit in helping people help themselves versus giving them cookie cutter social housing.