We are Living in Drawings

 

Giancarlo de Carlo’s quote that “architecture is too important to be left to just architects…therefore all boundaries between the builder and user must be abolished”, although an impractical statement of absolution, struck a chord with me. It’s a thought I’ve often had, that architecture frames all of the stories and memories of life - in every core memory, the “place” provides a defining feeling that stirs emotion. In every life circumstance, the “place” is the silent player, setting the tone, influencing your mood and decision-making. There is a reason that hospitals, more and more, are investing significantly in the architecture and greenery that moves away from a “clinical” feeling, and that colleges are hiring architects to design inspirational and collaborative spaces. Beyond the specific programming that defines the uses of a space, the volume, materiality, glazing, sound quality and overall aesthetic all significantly influence the way in which people feel and interact. If all this is true - architecture is the crucial stage to each moment of life. Why then should a select few determine the development of our built environment in their (our) silos of academic theories and OAC meetings?

The reality of integrating the practice of architecture into the world of those who experience it, however, is in no way clear cut. Participatory architecture is an incredibly difficult task to accomplish without leaning too far into manipulation or on the flip side, handing the reins over to untrained users, and requires leadership and strategy.