We are all really good at math
Daily conversation at work:
"What are you studying? Oh architecture? You must be REALLY good at math then! So you like building houses? Well what kind of architecture are you going to do? Commercial or residential?"
During just my time as a student, I've realized that the disconnection between the field of architecture and the public is staggering. We obviously can't know everything about every field of work, but as much of an impact as architecture has on all of our lives, there is a widespread misconception about what services the architect provides. De Carlo talks about the "ambiguity of the architect's role" and how architecture, stuck somewhere between art and technology, grew more and more vague as other disciplines became more specialized. But I believe it is more than that. There is a fundamental lack of interaction between the architects and the public, and the effects of this can be seen both in the opinion of the architect and in the buildings. We could blame both sides for this disconnect, but the architect has power to change things in this situation. The built world isn't just for one group of people. We all experience it.
One of the greatest exercises in a class I took was on integrated design. Over 100 students took on various roles about a design problem: public figures of different ages, police and firemen, political figures, builders, "that angry guy that doesn't want anything to change," and architects. And we had a huge discussion about how what impacts who, and why so-and-so should be involved in this decision. It was enlightening, not just to hear the opinions, but to see how all users, even the ones you don't immediately think of, are affected by choices the architect can make. Opening up the field of architecture can yield a greater mutual understanding on both ends.
"Architecture is too important to be left to the architects"
"What are you studying? Oh architecture? You must be REALLY good at math then! So you like building houses? Well what kind of architecture are you going to do? Commercial or residential?"
During just my time as a student, I've realized that the disconnection between the field of architecture and the public is staggering. We obviously can't know everything about every field of work, but as much of an impact as architecture has on all of our lives, there is a widespread misconception about what services the architect provides. De Carlo talks about the "ambiguity of the architect's role" and how architecture, stuck somewhere between art and technology, grew more and more vague as other disciplines became more specialized. But I believe it is more than that. There is a fundamental lack of interaction between the architects and the public, and the effects of this can be seen both in the opinion of the architect and in the buildings. We could blame both sides for this disconnect, but the architect has power to change things in this situation. The built world isn't just for one group of people. We all experience it.
One of the greatest exercises in a class I took was on integrated design. Over 100 students took on various roles about a design problem: public figures of different ages, police and firemen, political figures, builders, "that angry guy that doesn't want anything to change," and architects. And we had a huge discussion about how what impacts who, and why so-and-so should be involved in this decision. It was enlightening, not just to hear the opinions, but to see how all users, even the ones you don't immediately think of, are affected by choices the architect can make. Opening up the field of architecture can yield a greater mutual understanding on both ends.
"Architecture is too important to be left to the architects"
lol +1 for the meme.
ReplyDeleteI agree that as architects, we have influence over more than we think and can influence change just by how we design the spaces around us.
One question I will pose to you: do you think that architects should begin to further specialize or do you believe the "jack of all trades, master of none" serves us better?