What is the architect's special knowledge?
The “Architecture for Whom” section of class has made me contemplate what it actually means to be an architect. We have been learning about some amazing architects and their projects that are truly human focused, something we all hold as an important value. Whether it’s Segal’s self-build homes or Lucien Kroll’s radical approach to participatory design, these are truly unconventional architectural examples that demonstrate a shift toward democratized design. De Carlo even goes as far as saying that every architectural event, no matter who carries it out, is architecture. So it makes me sit here and think, what is our job? I recall our Professional Practice class with Kate when we discussed the definition of a “profession”. One of the requirements is that a profession must possess “special knowledge”.
When we talked about special knowledge in class it was pretty straightforward. It means things like having our own schools and committing to lifetime learning. But this theory class has me really thinking about what that special knowledge truly is. If you look back to the origin of our profession, this special knowledge was vastly different than what it is today. Architects were master builders. They were engineers, contractors, construction managers, designers, landscapers, and draftsmen.
Today? We don’t even design the lights on complex projects. There’s a consultant for that.
So I suppose the special knowledge has gone from master builder to master orchestrator. We still must know and be aware of the many aspects of a project so we can be the one that synthesizes everything into a cohesive and beautiful project. Am I too bold in saying we’re the only ones that can do that? Are we all comfortable with that being our “box”? What if that role gets taken? If inhabitants can design their own space, consultants handle all the technical elements, and developers control the cost per square foot, what else are we left with? Egress plans and renderings?
When we talked about special knowledge in class it was pretty straightforward. It means things like having our own schools and committing to lifetime learning. But this theory class has me really thinking about what that special knowledge truly is. If you look back to the origin of our profession, this special knowledge was vastly different than what it is today. Architects were master builders. They were engineers, contractors, construction managers, designers, landscapers, and draftsmen.
Today? We don’t even design the lights on complex projects. There’s a consultant for that.
So I suppose the special knowledge has gone from master builder to master orchestrator. We still must know and be aware of the many aspects of a project so we can be the one that synthesizes everything into a cohesive and beautiful project. Am I too bold in saying we’re the only ones that can do that? Are we all comfortable with that being our “box”? What if that role gets taken? If inhabitants can design their own space, consultants handle all the technical elements, and developers control the cost per square foot, what else are we left with? Egress plans and renderings?
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