RRRealizations in Architecture (end of 2010): personal notes

Last quarter,  I chose taking "Advanced Parametric Design" class in lieu of 'History of Urban Forms'';  this decision had unexpectedly deciphered a very critical riddle that kept me in limbo the past years via the stroke of my sketches, my concepts and goals;  that all I have put my faith in belonged to a rising genre of thinking, a single genome of correlation in architecture. All of my questions and interests are put into one basket ( Biomimickry. Math.Patterns in form, culture, behaviour, and music. 3d. rendering. Legato and Arpeggio scales and progression(guitar).Research and Development. Performative Skins. the question of "Pi". Tectonics.)

Everythings certain now. I found home.

Who would know that these things are all blanketed by a single entity: Algorithms.

Now I just needed to figure out the rest knowing that I'm taking the right steps... everything else will follow.

Design with a Cause

It has been a chore of habitually updating myself to what's going around. This time I have come across the website and very impressive Curriculum Vitae of a rather humanitarian architect(of whose name I wouldn't be mentioning for now). Her file says that she's (yup a woman) been traveling around for a while now, winning numerous international prestigious awards the likes of Aga Khan, Archiprix and Emerging Architect Award amongst others.. at a young age of 32 ?! Her obviously killer resume made me ponder: why was she not given the global exposure? and why wasn't she known the same way some are? I go on reading her stuff... She mentioned that her purpose is to 'use architecture as a medium to enhance cultural and individual confidence and support local economies...' , this instantly had put me back in the drawing board to reflect on my current goals and views about architecture. Living and working from Singapore to the U.S had my ideals pointed on pursuing the what I thought is the culmination of design: brilliant, complex and hip.  Keeping myself exposed to great colleagues, mentors and designers ... I knew they have shown me the way.. or not... or have they? Throughout these years, I witnessed starchitects presenting the most original, layman- incomprehensible and cerebral proposals the world has seen yet... I have agreed with their ideas and applauded all these times but frequently found them short of something that I can't really point out ... until now: a profound humanitarian cause.But its always a choice of being a poor but passionate designer vs. a highroller prima donna architect with high profile projects. Anyone up for low-profile commissions? yeah right, I thought so too... Humility isn't really a recipe for success , especially now at present most of us scour for projects for a penny or less.

ARCHITECTS X AND Y

I have divided Architects into 2 groups: The first one is a group who's advocacy is focused on fashion, concept and mental orgasm, Group X. A race is currently set by these group of elite architects, a race where who gets to design, build and execute the most sophisticated, avant garde and philosophically perfect structure that would demonstrate it's superiority. Indeed these architects have provided solutions with the greatest accuracy,the most complex enhancement to the current circumstance, booster of ego... maybe just a bit more to win the coveted Pritzker Prize. These works are brilliant , but merely pieces of mental exhibition if you ask me. They end up winning statusquo awards...

In the meantime, on the undesirable side of the globe, Group Y have spent their extra time weaving through uncomfortable situations and making it through by executing a rather well designed school using their own hands along with some volunteers, that's right, hand-built, in Bangladesh. Their arsenal: unpaid eager village people and a beacon of hope. They end up winning humanitarian awards. at the end of the day,Guess who makes it to the cover of the Architectural Digest though....

The difference? nothing much. Both solutions are brilliant. Only that the second group had chosen to use their creativity to poorer clients and users; in which by the way, are the  same people left behind whenever the likes of an iconic, towering architectural marvel has been built to make its stand and represent excessive corporate expeditures. Nothing wrong with enhancing a rather decent environment, it is just that oftentimes whenever a development has been made for a certain group, another has been deprived of. Plus the media prefer the more beautiful and the more elegant.

As a conclusion, I say this: Great Architecture should be in its purest state, an all-encompassing gift that doesn't judge and does not tag compensation as a driving force,only the willingness of those who are capable.... But of course ,this is just like how Karl Marx described Communism on its untainted form....... too good to happen. I am left with nothing but admiration to this high-attaining but low profile designer who sets to find brilliant solutions on less abundant lands.

.. like what they say '' design like you give a damn'' : http://www.architectureforhumanity.org http://www.habitat.org/gv/ http://www.aia.org/about/initiatives/AIAS075272 http://www.awb.iohome.net/ http://www.anothercupdevelopment.org/#AboutCUP

Geography affects Creative potentials...

Statesboro, Georgia -- 4 months counting...

...I found one Moshe Safdie building nearby... around 60 miles. its the Telfair Museum. A couple of months ago, it only took 5 minutes of walk for me to get to some remarkable bldgs: the Esplanade, Suntec City, IM Pei's sharp-edged tower, and Foster's flying saucer. These days, it requires me to travel like crazy just to get to some points of interest. Nothing wrong with Statesboro: I'm sure it is clean, accomodating, safe and has lots of friendly people in it. But being an advocate of continuous learning in architecture, I have to scour further.

We are responsible for our own growth, it is not inevitable to just sit down and wait for what the place offers you. I'm sure its a good city on other aspects, but it doesn't relate to any art- fed creature's upbringing, passion and growth.... it's just not me. It's not good to pretend that I found my fix. Contentment is overrated. I want London and Tokyo !! Having said that, growth and brilliance is not found just within reach... immersion and experience gives us the priviledge of thought and progression... hence, it should be pursued. Time is wasted for just making do of what you have within reach.

"Glamorous Compromise"

statement re. a competition for Conditions magazine:" With all the different actors needed to erect a building the architect always has to enter into a dialogue. The end result will be a compromise, whether you like it or not. A compromise is understood as a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations or aberration from an original goal or desire. Some architects may understand compromise as a capitulation, referring to a “surrender” of objectives, principles, or material, in the process of negotiating an agreement. Is “compromise” an agreement that no party is really satisfied with? Or is the compromise, in many cases, the most appropriate answer? An increasing number of young architects tend to compromise their beliefs, their health, their social life. Work long hours to endure in the so called world of architecture, where fame and media define who is going to be the next star architect. How much do you need to compromise in order to belong to this glamorous world? Glamour denotes luxury and elegance, creating an impression of attraction and fascination, an impression which is better than reality." www.conditionsmagazine.com