Architecture & the common man

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ARCHITECTURE AND THE COMMON MAN BRIDGING THE YAWNING GAP OF REALIZATION

What is Architecture? Or Rather what it isn’t? It is a pitiful truth that only a handful can understand.

Very few know what it is and many others live under the assumption that they do. Architecture by the roadside of any city speaks on its own accord. Well, it‘s not about the majestic maharaja palaces of ancient times, or the splendid villa a rich politician just built, or the government hospital at the backdrop. Of course, they are included too, but more important are the subtle details like the width of the road, the fact whether the pedestrian footpath exists in harmony with the roadway and how the city is planned. When we talk about remarkable city planning in India, one always pulls out the example of Chandigarh or we trace back to the Harappan civilizations. But why this scenario? Should not we be in a position to brag about how well the very city that we live in is planned?! It is after all the 21st Century that we live in. What went wrong? Rather what did architects fail to understand or communicate? As students, or as a personnel in the field of architecture, what things on a possible note can be done to hence, bridge this yawning gap of ignorance and make people understand the importance of knowing architecture?

Let us look at the problems that we as architects/students of today face while conversing with the public in day-to-day life, shall we? How would you feel if the doctor diagnosed you with the statement?

“You

have

rhinovirus infection

of

the

upper

respiratory

system, including the nose, throat, sinuses, Eustachian tubes, trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes”?

We would blink in confusion! A much better statement would be “It is common cold”. Wouldn’t that make many things easier for the patient? A client is just the same. He/she wouldn’t probably understand Corinthian order until you show them a picture of it. Or any style of order for that matter – be it Greek, Ionic or Doric. It is true that architects can use terms and phrases complicated to the layman or anyone outside the field of Architecture. It is important for an architect to communicate effectively what he/she has envisioned in terms of words and speech to the client. Only that will help in completion of a project and do enough justice to it. Else the product that you see finished in front National Association of Students of Architecture Writing Architecture Trophy 2016-17

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of yourself is just a result of some altercations done with building constructions. A building isn’t merely just a roof with walls providing shelter. It is an expression of the mind map of how spaces interlock, to form major spaces fulfilling functional needs and how the spaces resonate with the surrounding nature; how the space as a whole is climatologically able and healthy. To achieve this, we as architects and architecture students must be clear to know the different communication styles with another fellow architect/architecture student/client/layman (workers on site), etc. Where does it go wrong? Maybe we can trace it back to the fact that misunderstanding Architecture starts during the course of studying Architecture itself! People fail to understand what is an Architecture degree?

What is the role of an Architect? Why perform case studies? Are drawing skills enough to become an Architect? If only I had a dollar for every time I heard a family friend wonder whether I just construct buildings or draw at my desk all day, I could probably buy that 3D Printer I’ve been eyeing!

We’ve had to explain countless times that Architecture is not all about going on tours and sketching.

No, we are not artists and no we do not sit like Ted Mosby in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and paint our building design on an easel! We are creators. We are designers. There is always more than what meets the eye. It is all about inventing a new design concept, editing it again and again so that the final output (built form) given looks seamless and effortless. The common public needs to open up and increase their awareness on this non- negligible field. It takes a great deal to join the course of Architecture and pursue it with undying passion, for a better tomorrow!

Architecture is not well defined because of many reasons. Not many encourage their children in pursuing the field of architecture over engineering or medicine. Why not? One, Because of the expensive course fees, reasoning to its high demand. Another reason that we need to bring to our notice is that, as students, we face extreme psychological alienation by others. Despite the efforts put by Architecture students or Architects to revolutionize an idea into design, it is indeed hurting to note the fact that we, as students face extreme bullying from people through unprofessional statements like “Design a house for us, for free!” Architecture is more than having a roof above your head! On the greener side, it is quite easy to converse using architectural terminologies with people who know the facets of architecture. This is the gap that needs to be bridged and it can’t happen National Association of Students of Architecture Writing Architecture Trophy 2016-17

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without awareness. To understand Architecture, the thought process of designing and creating architecture and its practice must be understood and respected for it to flourish. Creative thinking inspires ideas! Ideas inspire change! The process of creative thinking is rather time consuming and energy driven, lots of mind work!

Parents really don’t encourage the all-nighters as it has lots of ill effects on our health! Parents sometimes bring in the hypocrisy here! They are angry if we sleep early and don’t pull off an allnighter during school to study subjects we never liked; and now they’re angry if we pull off an allnight and put our heart and soul into working for a course that we die for, quite literally. Seriously?

They just misunderstand the “thinking” period during design process as time wasted. Understanding must begin at home! Students get to face financial issues in the field when it comes to getting the raw materials for the project model, or for taking prints of the final design sheets. Not many are aware of the fact that students literally face a tough time bearing all these costs and trying to make sure every effort falls perfectly in place, eluding loopholes. But the sad fact is that, what the public has to comment is that, “My! Your parents must be filthy rich!” They think architecture is an elite course, where the parents just throw the money and make their kids study it.

When we look at the issue from a different angle, we see that there are even many communication gaps when it comes to a discussion between an architect and their client. During an Architect and client discussion –There is difficulty in delivering the ideas of architects as solutions to client’s requirements. This might develop a conflict to ideas developed by architects with the pre-conceived notions of the clients themselves. Clients are more rather devoted to following their traditional decisions, which might not work sometimes. Clients must widen their horizons and trust their architects enough to open up to Architecture. In certain scenarios, Architects themselves face great troubles explaining some architectural concepts, like ‘Green buildings’ to the public. People think green building is all about having lots of trees and “painting the building green”. In reality, it is various aspects of conserving energy to the maximum extent through various means like use of materials, orientation of buildings; etc. It is the people again here who should lend their ears to listen National Association of Students of Architecture Writing Architecture Trophy 2016-17

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to such concepts, methodologies and practices in this field, so as to avoid building up any unwanted gossips, hoaxes or rumours further. Communication gap? YES! Sometimes, a few ‘intelligent’ clients just cling onto hiring some ABC contractor, who also designs the project. There are clients who like to experiment with the materials, aesthetic features, and designs. All the above can be achieved by an architect with the concept as the backbone. A space designed with a concept provides a single answer to all questions. Clients are blind to the idea of concept but only an architect knows that “A Concept is the brainchild of his/her design, the very solution to all problems in one shot”. What’s the point in trying to show your presence while the society doesn’t even care for your existence?

That rings a bell. Doesn’t it?

Why clients don’t understand an architect’s skill, style and hard work? Where is the leak? As per classicists, there was once a golden era where classical architecture flourished, where monuments oozed with perfection and proportion at every angle, at every nook and corner; where the very design of buildings had a touch of spirituality, of the infinite power, through their monumental scale, balance, emphasis, and so on. And architecture evolved, for the better or abysmal – still a debate!

Then came the Modernistic and Contemporary style, which focused on rigid forms, sharp angles, and these elements suppressed the traditional styles and complex evolved forms in favour of simple concepts and striking images. The pioneers were awarded but little did they know that the checks in human balance, according to the classicist’s point of view disappeared. Even Urban design also holds itself responsible upon these grounds. Urban design, nowadays embraces design completely catering to more of functional and less of any natural elements that can possibly be considered while designing. Cities like Bangalore have been declared dead, pertaining to the fading of the very existence of nature in every form. There was a time where, areas like Mylapore, for instance, embraced functionality and Utilitarian comfort, while taking into account, preserving and respecting the very existence of natural elements and landforms. But, with the increase in population, technology and demand for comfort living, architects have been put up to battle with all possibilities and finally come to a conclusion of acquiring natural landscapes, lakes, Thangels,

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and other

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waterbodies to give room for infrastructure, and thus putting the scope for human comfort in the cross hairs.

Now that the problems are thrown into the spotlight, how can they be tackled? People need to be made to understand that being an architect is not just a job, it’s more of a lifestyle, a lifestyle that is truly driven by perfection, dedication, passion and conviction. As architects, it is not just about creating spaces with scale, spaces that breathe, spaces that are the Avant garde solutions for any social issues, and so on, but it is also about the way each buildings represents its role in the society, how can it bring any reforms, etc. Every space that an architect hence designs impacts people in some way or another. They have the power to utilise Architecture to bring about a change in the society and steer the mind sets of the commons to a more, clarified and proper direction.

Architecture is a language Architects speak, through their buildings to answer thriving social, economic, psychological, cultural issues present in this era. Sometimes the question of Freedom and Security of Job comes into picture. An architect is always an Architect by profession even if he or she quits his or her job. There are many fields of varied specific interests to proceed. For instance, an architect who has worked upon designing for the Hospitality sector can float to work for the Residential sector, in firms. There is no question of branching out to other fields, and architects sometimes find their success in being art directors, like Sabu Cyril; Entrepreneurs, like Ratan Tata and many more! Also the Architect’s profession constantly evolves, starting from (Re)Evolution of design concepts to evolution of materials, construction methods, and so on. Architects make their impression in the society by means of amplifying the social, economic causes by means of conceptualizing it through their work. A design that is well delivered brings about a major change in the user, and this is quite the feature of Behavioural Architecture. Architect is the artist, and the building he designs is the artworks in the biennale named Society. Hence, design as a weapon that brings a positive change, and revolutionizes the society. Sometimes, the laymen and other labourers find trouble communicating too! Access to knowledge must be created for those who need it on practice. In case of the layman himself, just a blueprint or the construction details aren’t going to help. Sometimes, virtual software assistants can be implemented to help the laymen understand on National Association of Students of Architecture Writing Architecture Trophy 2016-17

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a practical note. Sometimes language plays its barriers well. In all cases, one must also see the language as a tool to educating and creating awareness within the public on the field of architecture.

Looking at Architecture and beyond, as frontrunners of the upcoming generation, we must not only strive to design build buildings that hold hands with nature and the mankind, but to also make mankind aware of our existence in the proper manner possible, else there’ll only be false architects working under a ‘nom de guerre’. Also, it is not just the job of we architect, but the public too should endeavour to listen to what we say. How long can the professionals be blamed if the public is not ready to accept any change, or positive impact from the architect’s side? With efforts from both the parties involved, a change is definitely bound to happen and “Let us be the change we wish to envision a better future”

National Association of Students of Architecture Writing Architecture Trophy 2016-17

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