Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
“The
envelope has become the last realm of architectural power” - Alejandro
Zaera Polo
After the
reading this week and our class discussion, I started thinking about spring
break. A few of the Architecture + Health students were sent to Phoenix to
compete in the PDC Student Challenge. Two architecture students, an engineering
student, a construction science student, and a nursing student made up each
team in a reuse project. There was a commercial space close to downtown that
already had a brand new facade system and tenants upstairs, and we were
challenged to design a wellness center on the ground floor.
I bring all
of this up to say that I disagree with the statement above. From our discussion
in class, it is evident that some people think that architects should hold the
power, and once the architect is on the same level as the other disciplines,
the art of the craft is lost. However, at this competition, the teams that
collaborated amongst the disciplines rather than sticking to their own work
seemed to do better. The nursing student became a planner, the engineering
student brought new lighting systems to the table, and the construction science
student had an innovative way to utilize the existing loading dock.
Collaboration elevated the projects, and made the design decisions easier. The
envelope was barely even addressed due to the condition of the project where
the skin was already in place. If that was supposedly the last realm of
architectural power, then I would have been sitting there with nothing to do.
You know the old saying teamwork makes the dream work.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI definitely support your opinion. Moreover, I strongly believe that this the only way to prolong the existence and value of our profession. Less "architect is the smartest" you are, the more indispensable you are. The interdisciplinary approach to each project and even to the profession itself is the only possible response in the world where all knowledge is fast accessible and only creativity and communication are not. I understood this only through professional experience. Projects, with focus on architectural expertise during design, in general, are great in terms of quality/aesthetics, but less inclusive, I would say they are even egoistic in a way, they have less potential for changing anything in comparison with more holistic projects - the results of multidisciplinary work from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It is true that the world is becoming more and more complex, and that it is impossible for the Architect to respond to every complexity alone. That is why it is essential that architecture is a collaborative process between many people. And I would also argue that a strong and successful collaboration can make some of the best architectural projects. I think the role of the Architect is not sole designer and power holder, but rather leader of the collaborative process and direction of a project.
ReplyDeleteOMG I was there! And I have to completely agree with Katie. Having collaboration between all members of the project early on can not only lead to a better project, but also lead to less headaches and surprises along the way. At one point, I was trying to lay out the restrooms. Because this was an existing facility, it was not as simple as new construction. I didn't realize, but the construction manager told me about minimizing how much of the existing concrete slab was torn up. This had a big impact on the way the space was ultimately laid out, and it was better to find out during the planning process.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I agree that this paper discussing the envelope is entirely to dramatic, but I'm also coming around a revelation that in theory sometimes we have to be dramatic or overpowering with our ideas to innovate and inspire, essentially cutting out the grey area.
ReplyDelete