Finding Extraordinary in the Ordinary
“There is the paradox: how to become modern and return to sources; how to revive an old, dormant civilisation and take part in universal civilisation,” – Paul Ricoeur, History of Truth
After reading Kenneth Framptons article " Towards a Critical Regionalism", it made me think about the current trend of how architecture is being designed, built, and examined in the world today. Its easy for us to say, " Well If every architect designed this way..........then this would happen?" Seldom do we think about the consequences for our designs, but wouldn't if benefit everyone if we thought about how the architecture we design today impacts communities, cities, and the world tomorrow. The world that we know today WILL be totally different 10...20.......50 years from now.
Today, I do not think there is a consistent effort in thinking about how the architecture we produce today will impact the future. Of course, architecture will continue to develop and change overtime, but will the world always need architects to do so. I think one of the most intriguing things about Critical Regionalism is how the buildings speaks about the culture and people of its locale in unique ways. Whether its using traditional materials (stone) in an interesting way to frame views (Jorn Utzons Home on Mallorca) or thinking about how the landscape (elevated plazas, pavers) changes our way of navigating a building (Alvar Aaltos Saynatsalo Town Hall), I think Critical Regionalism gives us insight into how architecture can fit into its locale but provide diverse experiences no matter how universal the design is or looks.
As designers, we are all different , and thus continuing this line of thinking could be a way for defining the next era of architecture for us. How can we, as architects, find the extraordinary in the ordinary.
After reading Kenneth Framptons article " Towards a Critical Regionalism", it made me think about the current trend of how architecture is being designed, built, and examined in the world today. Its easy for us to say, " Well If every architect designed this way..........then this would happen?" Seldom do we think about the consequences for our designs, but wouldn't if benefit everyone if we thought about how the architecture we design today impacts communities, cities, and the world tomorrow. The world that we know today WILL be totally different 10...20.......50 years from now.
As designers, we are all different , and thus continuing this line of thinking could be a way for defining the next era of architecture for us. How can we, as architects, find the extraordinary in the ordinary.
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