BELLA DEVELOPMENT CHARITY

THE ARCHITECT’S ROLE IN SOCIETY

 

Is there an idea that can be applied to the design of our culture the same way an idea can be applied to the design of our buildings?In a similar way: the idea that minimalism as a theory can be applied to the design of a pencil, the way it can be applied to the design of a building.

 

WHAT IS AN ARCHITECTURE THESIS THESE DAYS? And more importantly:WHAT IS AN ARCHITECTS’ ROLE IN SOCIETY?

 

Well, I guess this question should be asked of all professions in all societies these days. A professor once said, ‘You cannot solve the world’s ailments in poverty, politics, regulatory and social issues with Architecture.’ The rest of the comment trickled off into some statement along the lines of, ‘You Can Create the backdrop for a discussion, but not the solutions to cultural phenomenon. She never said you could not spur a debate……In the same vein that Architects argue for implanting building programs with existing typologies for different uses to create unexpected surprises and new ways of thinking about architecture.Why not thinking about new ways of Being Architects in Society?

 

Some would say that Architects are a Reflection of Society; and this is Our Role.

 

I am scared for this. So, are we to sit in a cubicle all day, moan about the state of affairs of the world? Work for a pay less than we are truly valued? Or worse, exploit and find new ways of exploiting the youth, elderly and innocent?This is not a political debate. This is just a reminiscing, a searching…In my opinion, we have been sidelined. Economic factors surrounding development, budget cuts and value engineering have taken away our ingenuative edge. We must take it back. Architects do not want to be sidelined. We want to help. Then how to design as a Westerner in Cambodia? What is the most Authentic Route?Enroute to Authenticity, I will set up the Artificial Straw Man and knock down; first, in model Berkeley fashion…Mike Davis, in Fortress L.A. argues that we build libraries, civic buildings and it completely escapes us to make the entry visible and accessible to the public, the buildings’ very own users. (City of Quartz). Humanitarian, I think not. We put sprinklers on in the middle of the night, instead of early in the morning, before the sunrise to ward out the homeless from the parks where they sleep. These are the very people we displaced the first go-around to build that fancy new phallic formed sky-rise with underpaid employee labor.We design air vents to evacuate themselves high above the height of that homeless person who could benefit from the warmth it affords.How do these issues affect the Developing World?I do not think Developing Countries are behind. I think Developing Countries have every chance to develop differently, smarter and with the hard-knock overeducated underestimated lessons learned from the guinea pigs, us, the Developed World, out-dated, out-modeled, and over-the-hill.

 

It is the parable of the Tortoise and the Hare.

 

Whether the tortoise is behind from its country’s own internal struggle or it is behind because it has been bogged down with export tariffs, import fees and the external pressures of developed countries does not matter.In the Case of Cambodia, One undeniable truth is evident: the Khmer People are a wildly intelligent population. They are not the only developing country holding this validity.The genocide left staggering statistics behind, killing one quarter of the population and affecting everyone. The result of a few men’s vision to turn the urban society, learned and skillful into an agrarian country overnight; well, over four years. Bequeathed of this, half the population today is 20 years and under. A confounding statistic regards to the mass youth energy left (or right) in this country filled with incredible ancestry and a lack of guidance from the wisdom of its elders. These powerful men in Cambodia were educated abroad in developed countries.

 

Nobody really knows How To.

 

They have an idea and the faith to pursue it.

 

It is up to us. Our World Society to rise to the Challenge. Not just in Cambodia, but all over the globe.

 

The need is always present and the site is waiting for the right eyes.

 

2009