Architecture as Performance Art

We give so much credit to architects, they blend art and science into physical forms that shape our lives for the better. Supposedly. I think the problem with this thinking is that while architects are highly trained and well read on the theory of architecture and the effect of form on quality of life, they’re also just people like anyone else. The reading brought up an interesting point that we often elevate architects to the level of genius and even nearly God-like in their abilities. But some of the most beautiful and functional spaces are created by everyday people with little training or vision beyond fulfilling their needs. I wonder then how much knowledge and experience even really matters except when increasing the scale and capacity of a building. So often we also hear that some of the most beautiful and important buildings that we study in school were actually not so great for the inhabitants. And while this can be attributed to them being the first of their kind or whatever, it makes me wonder why we value buildings which perform more like art than spaces for living. Thinking about the Walter’s Way community I wondered what would happen if we changed our perception of architecture as formal art and began thinking about it as performance art. As architects we love to finish a project and stare at its perfection, every detail thoughtfully considered, every problem solved, every space perfectly ready to receive visitors and shine as our perfect creation forever. But thinking about buildings as finished locks them into a period in time where after their construction we perceive any changes to them as character destroying rather than character enhancing. Yes, architecture is art, but maybe buildings would be better for people if they were living art that we expect will change and grow, rather than perfect architect objects that insist they know what we need rather than allowing us to shape them to our needs.