Include the Community
Architecture is a field that can greatly benefit from the participation of the community in the design process. The community is often the end user of the buildings, and involving them in the design process can ensure that the buildings meet their needs and reflect their values. However, architects often fail to include the community in the design process, leading to buildings that are disconnected from the community they are meant to serve.
An example of a project that successfully included the community in the design process is the La Borda Project in Barcelona, Spain. The project involved the redevelopment of a former industrial site into an affordable housing cooperative. The architects involved the community in the design process through workshops and participatory design sessions. The community was able to provide feedback on the design, ensuring that the final product met their needs and reflected their values.
The La Borda Project is an excellent example of how involving the community in the design process can result in a more successful and meaningful project. However, many architects still fail to include the community in the design process. This can lead to buildings that do not meet the needs of the community, are disconnected from their cultural context, or even actively harm the community they are meant to serve.
Architects should strive to involve the community in the design process. This can be achieved through workshops, design charrettes, or other participatory design methods. Involving the community in the design process can lead to buildings that are more successful, more sustainable, and more reflective of the values and aspirations of the community.
Haley, great example and interesting points. I believe architects should be more involve in the communities they are building in. Creating a good sense in a community can create great projects over time and understand the user needs. In a way, I think it will be hard if architects to gain projects if they do not invest in the community.
ReplyDeleteHey Haley! I totally agree with you that designers are disconnected from the community in which their projects are serving. I wonder if a more affective alternative to the ones you mentioned would be to (in a hypothetical sense) only allow designers who have a connection with the are to design there. Maybe local designers can serve a community better than a disconnected one can because regardless of the research and study of a place/community designers don't truly or fully understand what a community needs until they themselves are apart of that community.
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