Ye Shall Receive and Ye Shall Like It
Rural Studio is commonly known throughout the entire architecture community and set the standards for what community build is. Their mission is to gift local counties with sufficient housing and community infrastructure.
But the studio itself has received criticism for taking advantage of the communities to benefit themselves rather than just the goal to improve the lives of their clients. In an article written by Architect Patricio Del Real “Ye Shall Receive,” he claims that it takes advantage of the power relations that come with the idea of ‘gift-giving,” rather than helping the communities to gain a sense of self emancipation and gift giving.
In my opinion, I believe that it is a challenge to help communities without receiving backlash from bystanders that aren’t involved in the process. If the community itself is happy to continue using this resource and allowing the students to learn what should be built, rather than what can be built, then that is the most important aspect. I can understand where the criticism may originate from, but it essentially just sounds like a projection onto the people of the community. Or maybe Del Real is just mad that he didn’t think of the idea first.
There are always going to be people that complain about something, I think this goes back to us talking about community engagement and the Gettys center. You cant make everybody happy or you're gonna go crazy trying to.
ReplyDeleteKelsey,
ReplyDeleteOnly those that work for Rural Studio know the truth of intent. Even if the worst-case is true, how can we not say the same of all architecture that is for profit? I think there is a level of grace that should be given to firms like Rural Studio since they are on the frontier of such projects.
Hey Kelsey! I totally agree that the criticism you mentioned regarding the Rural Studio is a bit far fetched. If anything Del Real is projecting his own opinions and beliefs onto the community without actually engaging them about how they feel regarding this program. Afterall the purpose of the program in part is to engage the community. Therefore, the only people who's opinions truly matter in this situation is that of the community.
ReplyDeleteKelsey -
ReplyDeleteI found the article about Rural Studio's mission and the criticism they received for their approach to community building to be thought-provoking. It sheds light on the challenges organizations face in balancing the needs of a community with their own goals, which can often lead to criticism.