To our fellow design professionals who are hard at work creating the communities of the future.
When SDAARCHITECT set out to design architectural projects years ago we had some ideas about community involvement and the use and appropriation of public spaces.
But even as the architects of multiple projects its sometimes easy to forget the practical extent to which urban spaces truly create the culture of a city.
As architects, it is sometimes easy to forget that individual buildings eventually get absorbed and assimilated in the the architecture of the city, and become transformed by the communities that inhabit the city.
Along with the social gatherings that “activate” public spaces comes a sense of community and a sense of belonging, which makes all the difference in an urban environment.
Of course it’s important to be passionate and rigorous about architecture. It’s important for us to continue talking, thinking and experiencing architecture in all its glory and nuances. It’s important to hone our craft – the craft of design, and work diligently.
But at the end of the day we must never allow ourselves to be distracted from the inescapable fact that we create architecture for people, families and communities – – not for impressive isometric views.
As architects there is no greater reward for us all, than seeing people living great lives and working productively in spaces that we were able to play a role in creating for them.
All this leads me to suggest to all my fellow architects reading this: today, as we shut down our CAD software for the evening, after we return that last call to the sub-contractor, I would propose we go to one of our favorite public spaces in the city – – hopefully with some good people and a cup of coffee.
And for once, let us turn the designer-dial down temporarily; and try to enjoy and appreciate the people around us and the urban spaces and communities we’re a part of.