Architecture’s relevance revolution

Each and every day, the buildings and places we create influence the lives of dozens, hundreds, even thousands of people, from clients to people we will never meet, impacts that reverberate for generations.

While reconstructing the war-damaged Parliament building in London, Winston Churchill uttered this simple yet profound insight about architecture: “First, we shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” Today, Churchill’s words take on new meaning as our profession experiences a relevance revolution that is redefining and revitalizing architecture.

Twentieth-century architects built the modern world. America’s cities and towns became the greatest engines of commerce and progress since civilization began. Yet, we must recognize that the world they built also produced intractable, even existential, social, economic, and environmental challenges. Today, in ways that stretch the profession beyond its conventional limits, the world demands that we, architects of the 21st century, envision a brighter future for everyone, everywhere.

As the 21st century hits its stride, the world is witnessing the dawning of the urban era. For the first time in human history, the majority of the world’s population lives in cities. By the end of the century, nearly nine in ten will. Humanity is becoming an urban species whose destiny will be shaped by urban conditions.

Humanity is becoming an urban species whose destiny will be shaped by urban conditions.

Humanity’s urban future has been the subject of intense discourse among the global community of nations, resulting in comprehensive international agreements that describe a shared pathway forward. At the 2016 United Nations Habitat III Summit, the New Urban Agenda was adopted which codifies social, economic, and environmental policies for the urban era. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted, providing a framework for global cooperation to eliminate human causes of climate disruption.

Today, some 200 countries are fully engaged implementing national strategies to achieve worldwide targets on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The architectural profession, construction industry, and built environment play critical roles in achieving each and every one. Architects have never been more essential and more valued. The prosperity of our profession is assured if we work together to embrace these unprecedented opportunities.

Architects don’t have to seek relevance, but seize it. By shaping the built environment, architects shape lives. For many of us, architecture is a calling.

Architects don’t have to seek relevance, but seize it.

We are called to architecture to build a better world. More than ever, today the world demands that we do.

Architects are entrusted with the expenditure of tremendous material, economic, and environmental resources. While accepting the mantle of greater relevance, architects must also accept accountability. Intensified competition for resources on a shrinking planet and the unintended consequences of progress require our profession to adopt more rigorous practices. We must work fully cognizant of the impact of our decisions. Design impact matters.

If you think cities should be more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable, check out the other essays in our Blueprint for Better Cities series, and learn more about AIA’s Blueprint for Better campaign.

Carl Elefante, FAIA, is the 2018 AIA President and a principal at Quinn Evans Architects.