Away from Capitalist Driven Design

Away from Capitalist Driven Design

When we design architecture “space” we’re not really accustomed to think about what it is that we are doing.

We have been talking a lot about whether we should focus on the interior of the building, the people, the connection between spaces, what goes in between the in between those in between spaces; but have you ever stopped to think if that is the reason we are here for. In this very moment in our education, as we say our goodbyes to our unrealistically expensive designs, we should stop one last time and ask ourselves what is it exactly what we do. What is architecture?

In my eyes as architects we are problem solvers before anything else, sure we might not be geniuses when it comes to engineering but instead of concentrating in the design of small intricate gaskets, we tackle our problems from different scales and angles. Not only do we question everything with our theories, but also we try to push technology to accommodate our needs. We have to be very careful because we have in a very influential position with many responsibilities. Not only do we respond to a client but also just as equally we have to respond to society, the environment and the future of our profession.

Reading Zaera’s “Politics of the Envelope” reminded me about all the different hats we have to wear as architects. What we do now can influence greatly our future generation. The buildings we design are going to be a part of society for generations and are going to out-lived us fold, well hopefully. When Zaera asks if, “Design attempt to produce an atmosphere by reducing artificial lighting, moderating the temperature variation and inducing natural ventilation? Or is the purpose to act as a ground by increasing thermal mass and insulation, retaining storm-water and absorbing carbon dioxide with vegetation? Once the flat horizontal envelope has ceased to act as insulation between the natural and the artificial, it will develop entirely different mechanism to qualify either as an atmosphere-inducer or as a ground infrastructure. This idea of considering the “gradation between the natural and the artificial”, how can we blur the crisp line we have from asphalt to nature.