Who Does Architecture Serve Today?
In 1969, ‘The Architects' Resistance’, a collective of students from Yale University, Columbia University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), published a manifesto titled ‘Architecture: whom does it serve?’ In it they write, “the architect's submission to the system begins with the belief that they possess special skills and knowledge that are inaccessible to the general public.” This pompous way of thinking allowed architects to hide behind their profession, avoiding their true role to society which is allies to the users and inhabitants of their creation. I would like to believe that the characteristics and attitudes of architects today have renounced this way of thinking and looks to give power to the user, but we all know history repeats itself. Or maybe this way of thinking has never gone away? Just recently the AIA has recognized the general public’s low opinion of architects and I can’t help but wonder why? Is it the attitude? The ego? Or the lack of care for society and the effects our profession has on them?
This is an interesting perspective. I think that the “ego” is all a façade. I think in reality architects hide behind their “ego” as a way of not showing the truth which is that they are afraid to give power to the user with the worry that they will no longer be needed.
ReplyDeleteAutumn, these are interesting questions. Architecture has been criticized by this for many years and I believe a lot of people do not know what is the role of an architect. Architect should be able to identify and design meaningful spaces for the public. Not only that the public should also express how the building should function and react to the space they are being built.
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