An Architect's Job

Architecture without people is just brick and mortar. In the same way, architecture without considering the inhabitants can often result in an unsuccessful building. Listening to these people and hearing their point of view can prove to be valuable insight in the design process. Alejandro Aravena’s project of creating a forest park along a river to provide public land and prevent flooding would not have been a solution without hearing from locals and discovering problems and concerns. When designing a healthcare facility, architects have to understand the work flow of doctors, nurses and other staff to know how to design the space. It is stubborn to believe architects know better in these situations. Relying on input from people who will experience and work in the building will ultimately lead to a more successful project. It is up to the architect to translate this input and provide a solution.