About my grandparents
“I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then”
My grandparents once decided to make a renovation of their living room and asked me (as an architect) about the color of the walls. I told them that without renovation of everything else they just should choose some neutral bright color.
So during every family meeting or celebration, while guests and family are gathering together in this living room, my grandparents keep proudly telling that the color of the walls was advised by their grandaughter-architect. And each time I do not know what to do except smiling unwillingly as I personally cannot advise anything like this - the walls are disturbingly pink and with some glitter!
Next day, I go back to work where my team and I are making research and a project for biggest Russian web company about the integration of augmented reality into an urban environment (this is a real project). And I cannot confess my grandparents what do I do as an “architect”, probably they would be disappointed and confused.
The perception and understanding of the role of an architect were always vague - traditionally multifaceted and polysyllabic. Architects are combining so many things: engineer, artist, entrepreneur, manager, innovator, anthropologist, psychologist, it-specialist, builder, etc. Different sets of skills are resulting in different professionals. So what is an architect?
Architectural students are learning something that maybe does not exist. It is just some random combination of various skills which is called an “architect” for simplicity.
Automation and AI eventually will replace most of the technical functions (even aesthetical aspects could be easily covered). Architects are inclined to some of the aspects they are interested in: art installations, computation, communication/participation/management etc. Maybe the role of facilitator of the processes that what expects all of us.
One thing for sure - architects, as they were classically perceived, do not exist. There was a lot of criticism about the fact that Aravena got The Pritzker Architecture Prize. I do not support them - architecture has never been about physical building, there are no boundaries to the definition of “architect”.
"An architect in 2000" - futuristic postcard by Villemard (1910).
I really like this story that you shared with your grandparents because you're so right, there's a huge disconnect between what people think the role of the architect is and what we as architects think our role is. This miscommunication or misalignment of expectations can often be the cause of tensions within a project leading to a disconnect between the architect and the client. Possibly education of what our role is, or a self critical evaluation of what this role should be could help to a more participatory design.
ReplyDeleteThank you)
DeleteGreat story, thank you for sharing. It's so true, I always go home and am excited to share my recent projects with the family... the most I ever get is a 'oh, that's nice, when are you gonna build my beach house' lol. Thanks mom. But I think it's a cool idea that 'architects' should consider pursuing careers outside of architectural firms. We've been given the 'keys' to many more doors. Really embracing the inherent obscurity in our profession, the boundaries of an architect, may just be an actual solution to some of the issues we circle and discuss. In that regard, let's encourage and celebrate architecture kids that go on to become politicians, developers, hell even video game designers.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree) And somehow the architects who decided to do something else are very good in what they are doing.
DeleteAwesome story and extremely relatable. Whenever people ask what type of architecture I want to go into, I honestly am not sure how to answer. They assume an 8am-5pm office, designing "blueprints" for skyscrapers and hotels. *yawn*. I refuse to be trapped in such a framework. At the same time it is impossibly difficult to explain the profession we have worked so hard towards.
ReplyDeleteAlso this morning (wednesday) a few of us arrived early to vincent's class and were playing pictionary. It came up that a classic stereotype for an architect is a glorified artist and whenever a game such as pictionary is played the pressure is on to draw / sketch. There are a plethora of examples we have all experienced. . .
Thanks!
DeleteMaybe we should promote "real architects" and whom they can be?)
This would help to change the approach to the formation of "architects" in the universities (now everything is very classic), there is little opportunity to experiment, combine to add completely other skills. For example, my friend, an architect, is engaged in media art, another my acquaintance is working with a robotic design of buildings at NASA, and so on. They all just graduated from different Departments of Architecture and had to learn additional skills by themselves.