The Changing Role of ‘Risk’ in Architecture – 2015 National Architecture Conference inspired change to a sell-out audience.
International speaker from this year’s conference, Amanda Levete (UK) emphasised that Architects are risk takers as the doers of things, in a regulated, penalty infused economy. Our markets want the outcome of taking risks but, with guarantees and warrantees to protect against any chance of failure. Architects are capable of functional and technical inventiveness by drawing together knowledge from ordinary and extraordinary sources.
For architects to make architecture, a patron who accepts that managed risks in a project are noble, necessary is much needed. A patron who briefs for the needs of people in spaces configured for life … comfort to work, to rest and to recreate … with a good fit for the task, warm in winter, cool in summer, in touch with flora and fauna.
Another speaker, Jeremy Till (also from the UK) referred to Manfredo Tafuri’s description of architects “as gymnasts in the prison yard” while outlining possible responses to risk; pragmatic acceptance; sustained optimism; cynical pessimism or, radical engagement as Jeremy Mcleod demonstrated in ‘The Commons’ Nightingale development in Brunswick, Victoria by taking equity in new forms of building delivery.
In the re-development of Canberra the case to be made is that by its outstanding design, increased social and monetary profit is received because of the developments liveability, sustainability and desirability rather than simply on how high, how much area, how much money is returned to the budget.
Canberra’s co-designer has been honoured in her native Chicago.
On 9 May 2015, Marion Mahony Griffin, co-designer of Canberra with her husband Walter Burley Griffin in 1912, was honoured by the naming of a park in the suburb where she lived for the last stage of her life. The Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society in northern lakeside Chicago gave enthusiastic support for the naming of Marion Mahony Griffin Beach and Park, writing:
“(This) will keep before beachgoers the model of a vastly talented woman who not only broke down barriers by entering a field still today dominated by men but became one of the foremost innovators of the twentieth century. Furthermore, she will be celebrated as an artist in a neighbourhood that has become a home to many contemporary artists.”
Photo: Christopher Vernon (UWA)
More details:
http://rpwrhs.org/2014/12/28/renaming-jarvis-beach-and-park-to-marion-mahony-griffin-beach-and-park/
http://www.griffinsociety.org/home1.html
For too long, women practitioners have lacked a visible presence in our profession (if we need reminding, just take a look at Wikipedia’s list of notable architects), despite their significant and worthy contribution to architecture.
The reasons for this are many, but the actions of Parlour Inc., the National Committee for Gender Equity of the Institute, and the work of many passionate and committed individuals, this is changing. By bringing visibility to our women practitioners and formally acknowledging their accomplishments, we are supporting women’s engagement with the profession. This is good for the profession, but even better for our built environment.