Reality and Ideology

In his writing, Habraken mentions the mismatch between ideology and environmental reality in the architectural world. We are educated to design with big overarching ideas and concepts in school, but in reality people just need an environment for them to work or live in. Habraken's statement brings up a good point of the struggles in the architectural profession to balance creativity and environmental and/or client constraints. I think there could be a balance in design between ideals and environment, without compromising creativity. Housing, for example, can be straight forward and creative at the same time. Alejandro Aravena's controversial social housing in Chile gives people half a house, not completely finished, and a space for another half a house. The people living in this social housing finish the house themselves, but are given the tools to do so. Everything that families wouldn't have an easy time building alone, such as concreate foundations, plumbing, and electricity, has been finished for them. The Chilean government pays for necessary infrastructure such as roads, drainage, sewage, and garbage collection to focus on building a good community. This project example allowed for the architect to be creative, created social housing for those that need it, created a new community, and became an educational experience. 

Qunita Monroy | ELEMENTAL