Archidoomsday

As with every profession, architecture shall fight for its place in the spotlight. It is natural that people believe their profession is the keystone of society. Policemen protect us, teachers teach the new generation, workers produce products to use. Architects ‘just’ make buildings pleasant. Pleasant to look at, pleasant to live in. Is that enough to justify the means spent? We could live without architecture.

And when I make it even more general, we could live without art. We could. But do we want to?

I do not.

The architecture is the essence of humanity.  Pyramids, spires, churches, high-rises. Appreciation of beauty is what makes us human. There are no other known species that can do this.

We do architecture even though we do not have to. Architecture won’t protect you from the weather, the building does. Architecture won’t keep you warm, the building does. Architecture won’t satisfy your body. On the other hand, the building won’t satisfy your soul, architecture does. The building won’t amaze you, the architecture does. The building won’t make you feel better, the architecture does.

Without architecture, we would not be what we are. Architecture is with us from the beginning. The moment our ancestors built their first shelter, the history began.

Fast-forward to this day. Is architecture rising? Do people appreciate what architecture brings them? I see around many new buildings being built, but not so many pieces of architecture. The harbour areas all around Denmark are being repurposed. From port areas to residential waterfront. What gets built there? High rises. How are they? Not good enough. Many of them are simple boxes, without any added value.  Which is mostly because of prefabricated elements, from which these boxes are built.

Architecture is not doing great at the moment, not in my eyes. Not here. However, I believe fighting for architecture is worth it. I encourage everyone to be observant about the world we live in and the world we are building for ourselves. We can change things, everyone can. If not us, who? If not now, when?

Cheers