Give the People What They Want
Ever since the debate I've been thinking about this concept of architects seeking to change society or reflect society with their architecture. In other words, should architects seek to move the world toward a vision they see or reflect current societal trends as they are. It especially becomes difficult when the current trends are universally seen as bad by the design community. An example would be the outdoor shopping center, our generation's version of the strip mall. Just about every architect would agree that they are ugly and ruining the urban trends we cherish such as walkability and a local vernacular.
The American people LOVE convenience which is why the shopping center is so common. Do we give the people what they want: more junkspace? It seems somewhat pretentious not to. We're saying as architects that the average person doesn't know what they want. We know better.
The American people LOVE convenience which is why the shopping center is so common. Do we give the people what they want: more junkspace? It seems somewhat pretentious not to. We're saying as architects that the average person doesn't know what they want. We know better.
Do you think there is a way of giving the people what they want but at the same time redesigning these spaces? Why can't we design these malls in a way that enhances human experience, and contributes positively to the society.
ReplyDeleteThe mall of today, for architects, pose an opportunity that has yet to be tapped. Yes, for a designer, this is all junkspace that is typically a Frankenstein of vernacular cultures. But many of these companies that fit into the strip mall nostalgia have created an icon for themselves that can be recognized everywhere. For a designer to come in and design a whole strip mall would mean fighting all of these companies that insist there building look the way it always does.
ReplyDeleteSo is it the community, or the client that is the problem?
I love that you blogged about this - I've been thinking about it as well. My conclusion is that yes, design what the people want. However, if we do it through the lens of designing "with" the community and not "for" the community, then I think we could leverage our understanding of the built environment to make more meaningful and beautiful design. Also, through this process, we might come to the conclusion that what we want is not what we need.
ReplyDelete