I was struck by this photograph of a child published in Kompas (19 September 2006, p.3). She was sleeping in a cardboard box in a cart. And I thought to myself: how fit she was to the space she occupied. This photograph proves that the ability of human to gauge and utilize space is innate. Human also has high capacity to adapt. When we are tired, we will immediately scan our surrounding to look for places where we can sit: a chair, a step, a fallen pole, an upside down drum, a stone. And when we can’t find anything, the earth would do.It seems that our survival instict will enable us to adapt to any kind of spaces we are in. Under adverse condition, as in the case of the homeless, people will find a way out and think creatively – see here for another example.
And I wonder: does (architectural) design matter?
6 comments:
Maybe I ain't that smart to answer that concideration whether an architectural design really matter if any existence in this planet can adapt so well in any kind of condition...
But I really do believe that an architectural design -a good one...eventhough I haven't really got the point what a good design really is..- can make a better living... I still really have the faith in that belief...
Maybe an architectural deign isn't that neccesary nor essential to keep ourselves alive.. but again.. maybe it's essential to make a better living...
And also do believe that I live in this world for some kind of purpose ,even -again- I haven't really realize the purpose of my life, I still believe that I exist in this world to make a better living...somehow...
That's my simple opinion..
I'm sorry if my opinion isn't that good...
sincerely yours...
-Raynata-
Hi Ray,
Of course we students of architectural design want to believe that what we do make a difference. But do we, really? And if so, how?
This question came about in relation with our discussions in studio. So more on this later :)
"does design matter?" I have been wondering thinking this question lately.
Watson in Ideas: history of thought argued that human possessed extraordinary capacity to adapt to any kind of environment and condition. It differs human from the rest of primata and animals.
So, it that so, how urgent or necessary is a design. Is there actually any good design? or all design is good afterall? does a design really can make a better living or actually it is the user who 'improve' their life to a better state regardless any design they utilize? (for instance: the child in the picture)
wee.. seems like a hard topic to be discussed.. well, i think, a good design is something that makes people comfortable with n that comfortable feeling doesn't come out bcause of urgency.. that's something we found out to be cozy bcause what it is.. i haven't found an example about how architecture plays a role in making a better living.. but, i once heard an example about one of Mies van der Rohe's (sorry, i forget the name :p) n they said ones who occupied that building became crazy bcause of the design of the building.. if a building can make ones become crazy, why it can't make ones feel the opposite?? :)
Vid:
Of course I think there are good and bad designs :) Having incubated on this for some time now, I think there’s line that separates the need for design with subsistence occupation of space – as in the case of non-permanent solutions (like the child in the photograph), squatter settlements, or simply for people who have low priority for giving meaning and making sense to their spaces.
Phil.me:
The only Mies’ building I’ve been to is the Barcelona pavilion. Although it was designed to be a showcase, not to be occupied, it’s the very opposite of making one crazy. The simplicity and at the same time the complexity of the spaces and details are just superb. I think you got the wrong name.
Architects that in my view play role in making a better living: Mangunwijaya, Hassan Fathy, Charles Correa – simply because they are interested in making better lives for the poor, making design accessible for those in the category of subsistence occupation of space. But many others do make better living by contributing to development of human civilization, by giving meaning to an otherwise meaningless space, or simply by adding more comfort and better organization to space.
Hi, just want to say thank you for this amazing blog. I'm also an architect but now currently I spend much of my time in teaching and writing. Your writings inspire me and made me reflecting and thinking about my own teaching method.
I might be only practice and teach for several years, but I do believe - based on my experience - that design does matter, although it is not the primary matter.
I have no doubt that a good design will make a difference, will lead to a better living.
For me, a good design can be achieved through community involvement, which is sometimes forgotten by architect.
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