Citizenship In Public Spaces Responsible Design and Architecture
2
Citizenship in Public Spaces Responsible design in Architecture
Personal project Journal, 2014 Shweta Manikshetti Glasgow School of Art
3
Preface The Citizenship in Public spaces is a final project for the Master’s course in, ‘Design Innovation and Citizenship’ at the Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow. This project is about citizenship in architecture. It investigates roles and responsibilities of an architect towards his society as a citizen. The keywords thus become citizenship, responsibility and architecture. The project has been a process of personal growth through understanding the role that citizenship must play in architecture. The main approach is the enquiry in methods and examples of theory situated in practice. Through exploration of responsible design in practical architecture, this project introduces and suggests changes which might fill the missing gaps which divorce the practice of architecture from civic responsibility.
4
Content 1. Introduction A. The project brief B. Methodology 2. Research and Engagement 3. Insights 4. Innovation
5
[The architect] should be a good writer, a skilful draftsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on the principles of natural and moral philosophy, somewhat of a musician, not ignorant of the sciences both of law and physic, nor of the motions, laws, and relations to each other, of the heavenly bodies. —Vitruvius[1] The first thing you’ve got to remember is that it’s your client’s money you’re spending. Your business is to get the best result you can, following their wishes. If they want you to build a house upside down, standing on its chimney, it’s up to you to do it and still get the best possible result. —Richard Morris Hunt [2]
I don’t intend to build in order to serve or help anyone. I don’t intend to build in order to have clients. I intend to have clients in order to build. —Howard Roark, The Fountainhead [3]
6
Introduction Every citizen has a responsibility towards his surroundings, (physical, social, political) which he can address through his work. In todays changing world, we all need to think about the greater duty as humans and start questioning thoughtless functioning of 'things'. Conventional methods define how spaces can benefit people. I would try to find out how people can benefit spaces by both, building and using them. How can public spaces of the future be sustained and owned by the public that uses it? This project would be a start towards building ownership and responsible use and thus creating self sustained places, in opposition to todays scenario of dependency on government or professionals for development.
7
The three conceptions of architecture on the left are mutually exclusive and yet are equally valid. The medieval architecture was the work of collective genius. The modern architecture is instead a manifestation of individual ideas. The image of an architect has thus seen a shift from medieval to modern times, and so did architecture. Public space, which formed on the idea of democracy, is today designed to keep people from using it thoroughly. This project investigates, the change of architecture from a collective art to an individualist accomplishment and the role of politics and society in designing spaces. Through time bound research and the understanding of architecture thus developed, I suggest some innovations in the architectural system.
Be the change you want to see. - M. K. Gandhi
8
The Brief Architecture is a social act, involving stakeholder, workmen, architect, client and the public realm surrounding it. But todays practice does not involve active participation all these members. Citizenship requires every citizen to perform his responsibilities. This project enquires the responsibility of architecture and people involved it. Aim : To identify the responsibilities of architects for democratizing Public spaces.. Research Questions : How can responsibly designed public spaces enhance aid and sustain social interaction? How can spaces sustain, and be sustained by the public who uses it? How can we as designers help in building, - ownership in users - socially responsive public spaces
9
Objective : To gain an understanding of the requirements and methods of democratizing public spaces by building ownership in architects and users. Methodology for research : Grounded theory Key Words : The main areas of research were Architecture practice, responsible design and public spaces. Other areas which were studied because of their influence on 3 major areas were, Participatory design and co-design, Consensus design, Design for social impact, Citizenship, Influence of politics on architecture Image of an architect, Responsible Design, Architecture and politics, Place-making and practices working on social impact design. Interviews with professional in the areas of architecture practicing responsible design were crucial sources of practical wisdom. The research as a whole was an iterative process.
Put citizenship public space grounded theory diagram from starting sheets.
10
Methodology
Desk Research
Insights
Categories
Innovations
Concept
Grounded Theory This method involves study of existing theories and practices. It does not take hypothesis into consideration. Available theories are studied, key points are marked and are then put into categories. These categories are then studied to formulate concepts. The theory thus evolved is discovered through analysis of data. I chose this method for 2 reasons.
11
1. Grounded theory is opposite to qualitative research methods such as ethnography where the process commences with hypothesis. I wanted to explore this method. 2. The topic in hand is a study of existing theory for informing changes that must be done for a better future. This gives the idea that a new theory will evolve as the end product. Grounded theory is suitable for the purpose.
Citizenship in 12
Public Spaces 13
What does citizenship mean in Architecture?
Citizenship - Architecture
The qualities that make a good citizen are also applicable in making a good building.
wis
14
Citizenship Citizenship Membership Responsibilities
Political Identity
Duties
Ethnical Belonging
Rights
Religious Affiliations
Citizenship is defined as having membership and identity. This membership involves roles and responsibilities towards the state and also rights and duties. We often see more effort towards exercising rights and responsibilities as individuals in our fixation towards private professions, but neglect responsibilities and duties towards the society. Professional responsibilities are further neglected.
15
Identity
Vitruvius recognized that architecture was a curiously conflicted profession, combining elements of the artist, the public citizen, and the businessman. (Michael J. Lewis, 2014) The qualities that make a good citizen are also applicable in making a good building. Prudence, responsibility, courtesy, decency, dignify a building as they do a person. Thus architecture is a part of citizen body, but the embodiment of civic sense lies in public spaces.
How is architecture influenced by politics?
Citizenship - Architecture - Politics
Philipp Foltz, Pericles' Funeral Oration There can be no architectural citizenship until there are citizens, and both crystallized at the same instant in the fifth century BC in Athens, the only one of the Greek city-states to function as a democracy. The only space where all voting citizens might assemble was the Agora. This was the setting for all the unruly transactions of civic
16
life—debate, discourse, moral suasion; here took place the great public deliberations recorded by Thucydides. - An essay on Architectural Citizenship, by Michael J. Lewis.
Public Space
The historical reference states that the first public space ever built was a place where people of a state could come together to discuss matters of government. The Parthenon was a symbol of democratic thought where importance was given to the views of a common man. Hannah Arendt, a political philosopher writes , To be human, is to be free in public, which means to act and speak in ways that matter in the public world. Public freedom requires spaces where our actions are attended to, considered, and taken seriously enough to merit a response. Such spaces—the Greek Agora, the Roman Senate, the town square, the New England town meeting, the French debating societies, the Russian Soviets,
the American jury, and all those civic institutions that spring up to give the power of collective action to individual citizens—are the pre-political and yet necessary conditions of democratic politics. ‌Common spaces are the pre-political and yet necessary conditions of democratic politics. (d'Entreves, Maurizio Passerin) Political philosophy must not only be concerned with spaces for freedom but also spaces which provide for needs of people. Spaces that gather us together rather than isolate us, enhance our spirit of civic sense rather than reinforce our fixation on private purposes. Architecture is where democracy can be practiced.
Architecture is a physical manifestation of political ideology
17
Democracy is the form of government today. Does architecture address it? Architecture - Democracy
“You’ll never see an ad like that, because Nike actually wants you to buy their shoes. Whereas the city of Toronto clearly doesn’t want you involved with the planning process, otherwise their ads would look something like this — with all the information basically laid out clearly. . As long as the city’s putting out notices like this to try to get people engaged, then, of course, people aren’t going to be engaged. But that’s not apathy; that’s intentional exclusion.” (Dave Meslin, 2010)
18
Public space is feared. It is neither a protective nor a protected space. In some cases, it has not been planned to offer security but is designed for certain functions like traffic circulation or parking, or it may simply be residual space between buildings and roads. In other cases, it has been occupied by the dangerous classes of society ― immigrants, the poor or the socially-excluded― because agoraphobia seems to be the kind of infirmity that exempts those who live in the city because it is the only way to survive. Even though they are frequently its main victims, they cannot do without public space. (Jordi Borja, 1998)
Democracy in Public Space
Modern day public spaces seem to be designed to look at but not touched. They are restricted for use by the general public. But are today’s public spaces democratic? Public spaces of the present are designed to exclude people, intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. The design of uncomfortable furniture, pyramidal tiles as flooring around buildings, to avoid loitering, the uninteresting and boring public notices to avoid participation in discussions, can be considered as intentional exclusion. As social designer Dave Meslin states, in his Ted talk on ‘The Antidote to Apathy’, how what is considered (publics) apathy, selfishness or laziness is in fact the result of actively discouraging engagement by creating obstacles and barriers to participation and involvement. (Dave Meslin, 2010 )
19
Some other times where they are intended to engage, public spaces just fail. The reasons being, Inclus lack of place to sit, lack of gathering place, unattractive or hidden entrances and unpleasant Comm sites. This shows that Public spaces do not cater to the public in their full potential, although it is a public space where democracy is possible. But, if spaces were carefully designed to encourage engagement and interest, they could be more successful. That means, public space, which is the built environment and space encompassing it, must be reassessed and improvised. The people who would be responsible for this action are planners, architects, policy makes, the local authorities and users (in a democratic government). My focus would focus on architects.
How can architecture help in democratizing public spaces?
Architecture in medieval times was a collective accomplishment. The medieval public spaces like churches and squares, which incorporated new technology and methods for their time, were an outcome of collectivism through equality. Men worked together not just for wages but for creating objects of beauty. Gothic architecture developed not because laymen wrested control of buildings in the hands of priests and monks, but powerful crafts guilds arose in towns. There was no division of labor, its members were equal and free collaborators. William Morris attributed their construction to,
20
The strong desire for production of beauty . . . They are the outcome of corporate and social feeling, the work not of an individual but the collective genius. Although the design might have originated by one man, Morris continues to state, . . . but he (architect) is not puffed up with individual pride by finding himself ready for his creation, for he knows well that he could not have thought of it without the help of . . his fellows alive now and to live hereafter: . . . each man feels responsible for the whole . . . while the work grows, the workers minds grow also ; they work not like ants or live machines, or slaves to a machines – but like men. (Andrew saint, 1983)
Architecture Practice
Modern architecture, however, became an outcome of artistic individuality. According to ancient theory, followed by the disciples’ of Plato, a building is significant or insignificant in so far as it incorporates an idea or ideas conceived by its individual designer and the history of architecture becomes a web of such significant ideas worked out in special buildings. This individualized view portrays architects as not only top dogs in the construction business but also creators and romantics; and critics as scholars in the study of humanities honoring artistic expressions. The design process in a conventional architectural firm would be study of site, sketch design, 21
estimating costs, and develop design, contract documentation and construction. Clients or users are consulted mainly for costs and materials, but limited for planning and design. In public spaces, there is further less participation. Basically, architecture has moved from collectivism to individualism. Victorians planned public spaces such as parks in Glasgow, which act as crucial spaces for leisure and fresh air today! They are so situated in the cities that people don’t have to visit them exclusively; they can just walk through parks on their way to work or school, they can easily go for exercise they are near, they can socialize. Architecture has the ability to improve the world we live in and make a more equitable, healthy, and positive future for generations to come.
Can better practice help in building better places?
In an age of mass production when everything must be planned and designed, design has become the most powerful tool with which man shapes his tools and environments (and, by extension, society and himself). This demands high social and moral responsibility from the designer. It also demands greater understanding of the people by those who practise design and more insight into the design process by the public. (Papernek, 1971).
Victor Margolin ideates the designer’s ability in a professional way to address social problems on a larger scale. This practice could be used for social well-being, not only through voluntary work, charity or donations but through real professional contribution. (Margolin, 2002).
22
Responsible Design
Designers are enablers. If they are responsible for creation, they have a responsibility towards the impact it creates on everything it relates to. Although it is virtually impossible to calculate an impact in every possible direction, the big issues such as social and ecological impact must not be avoided. Designers and architects are in a position of dilemma due to this consumerist culture today. The market works on the principle—’people have equal needs’ but forgets that they do have different wants. Customization which caters to individual needs and wants is a small part of the major industry. Consensus design, an urban design term which determines the function of a land after thorough assessment of what the community needs, is seldom done. On a smaller scale, conventional architecture 23
practice is commission—design—approve– build process. People for whom the spaces being designed is intended for use are sadly left out of the process of making the design brief and the process of design itself. Participation in the color or fabric selection is no Participation at al. It is a duty of architects and designers to design responsibly, but they are not the only people involved. Better architecture is as much a responsibility of the authorities and users as of architects who design it. There must be a sense of ownership in the public, which comes through a sense of responsibility towards maintaining our surroundings. The failure of industrialized urban neighborhoods ignited the need for thoughtful design and public participation in design disciplines. The young architects who are informed about the power of architecture in emerging society, are taking steps for a more responsible approach.
How is architecture What influenced is better by architecture? politics?
ArchiText
How do we build literacy about architecture? Project : What has architecture done for you lately? ‘endangered species of architecture’ : to build conversation about the ecological impact of building materials. ‘Housing and the homeless’: people were asked to place different classes of society into where they thought these groups were suitable such as condominiums, flats, bungalows, high rise congested housing. People automatically put homeless people in congested living. This means public is aware of the difference created by society, but no one voices this out. It is like knowingly separating classes of society.
24
Wanted to work for social change Understood from arch education that architecture was a human right but wasn't perceived that way Wanted to work for good not for free. Social change work is always charitable .
If we really wanted to make the currently mainly voluntarily run responsible design discipline as a main frame business, just like the profession works today, how would we do that? We do gain something out of working for communities, its not a lot of money, but its social capital. It has to be a win win for both the parties. You can learn more on field from the people in the system than any master’s course could teach.
Responsible Practices
To get an insight on the nature of responsible design that practicing architects follow today, I interviewed 3 architects working towards social change in different areas in architecture itself. The main points of enquiry being, Inspiration for a different approach How did the practice start? Challenges faced due to the unique approach What responsibility means to them as architects in this consumerist culture. Politics in architecture and public spaces. How important is building ownership. How important is participation. Nature and scope of place making today. Place making in the future.
25
Importance of architectural critique in building awareness and responsibility. What change do they think is important in the following areas, Architectural education Design process Architectural practice Public space regeneration.
3 Architects working passionately for social change and better architecture, agreed to contribute to my research by sharing their views and work, and guiding me towards more work that was happening in the field.
What is better architecture?
Design Affects
26
What is better architecture?
Pidgin perfect
Dele Adeyemo, Pidgin Perfect Pidgin perfect is an international, multi disciplinary creative studio based in Glasgow. Their approach is unique combining research, participation and design around the built environment.
27
Can better practice help in building better places?
Jane Jacobs, an AmericanCanadian journalist, author, and activist was known for her influence on urban studies. In her book, the The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), she argued that urban renewal did not respect the needs of most city-dwellers. Journalists bring to notice the fallacies in design and its disadvantages. Sometimes these non architects turn into activists and bring positive change in an environment mistreated by architects. There is tremendous contribution in the field of urban studies and development from nonarchitects, such as socialists, journalists, etc. This work goes un-noticed and un-rewarded. Even government officials who bring about a
28
change are often left in the background. We need to acknowledge the development brought in by non architects in the field of architecture and urban planning. This is important to bring awareness and participation of the public. As journalist. Jonathan Meades suggests, “Architecture talks about architecture as though it is disconnected from all other endeavours, an autonomous discipline which is an end in itself. Now, it would be acceptable to discuss opera or sawmill technology or athletics or the refinement of lard in such a way. They can be justifiably isolated, for they don't impinge on anyone outside, say, the lard community – the notoriously factional lard community. To isolate architecture is blindness, and an abjuration of responsibility. “ (Meades, 2012)
Non Architects Contribution in Urban Planning Awards Awareness
Project for public spaces, was founded in 1975 to expand on the work of William (Holly) Whyte, author of The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces. It has completed projects in more than 3000 communities in 43 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
29
Placemaking
Public Space
30
Quotes and ideas that shape this project.
Insights
31
Can better practice help in building better places?
32
Infograph System affects and system inside
Big Summary
Insights
33
Study
34
The system of architecture
g
35
Can better practice help in building better places?
36
Practice
Critique
Responsible Design
37
Can better practice help in building better places?
C
38
Change in people can be brought only change in the system
39
40
41
Existing
42
Architectural Curriculum
43
Can better practice help in building better places?
Existing
44
Architectural Curriculum
45
Can better practice help in building better places?
46
Process
47
Can better practice help in building better places?
48
Process
49
Can better practice help in building better places?
Ada louise hextable
50
Critique
51
Can better practice help in building better places?
52
Critique
53
Can better practice help in building better places?
Pre architecture
54
Scenario
55
Can better practice help in building better places?
Architecture School
56
Scenario
57
Can better practice help in building better places?
58
Camp Parents and friends
59
Scenario
Can better practice help in building better places?
60
Practice
61
Scenario
Can better practice help in building better places?
Critique 2
62
Critique 1
63
Scenario
Study of existing theories. Situating them in practice.
The qualities that make a good citizen are also applicable in making a good building.
64
Research Desk Research
Public Space Architecture Practice Responsible Design
65
Interviews
Responsible Practice
Insights
Hindrances
References Philipp Foltz - Pericles' Funeral Oration Available at : www.ancientgreekbattles.net/.../ Pericles.htm Dave Meslin, Intentional Exclusion Tedx Toronto, 2010
66
References Michael Lewis (2014) Architecture and Citizenship Available at http://www.citizenship-aei.org/wpcontent/uploads/architects-and-citizenship.pdf (Accessed : 09 June 2014) d'Entreves, Maurizio Passerin, "Hannah Arendt", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2014 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), Available at : http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/ sum2014/entries/arendt/ (Accessed : 01 August 2014) (Citizenship and Public Space, Jordi Borja, 1998 ) Dave Meslin, The antidote to apathy. Available at : http://www.ted.com/talks/ dave_meslin_the_antidote_to_apathy Andrew Saint (1983) Image of an Architect, Yale University Press 67
Papanek (1971) Design For The Real World, New York, Pantheon Books Margolin, (2002)
68