Essay

Building a Better World

Throughout history, architecture has evolved as an expression, reflection, and catalyst that shapes humanity. With each era, architectural design progresses into new frontiers as emerging technologies, scientific discoveries, and new philosophical perspectives emerge. This is why it is important to ask ourselves, as environmental designers: What is the primary purpose of architecture? While some may say that the safety of shelter is most important, other may say that architectural design should really strive to uplift quality of life beyond shelter — into realms of comfort, well-being, and thrivability. Yet still, other architects may say that the design of great architecture should go beyond human thrivability, to uplift the health of the planet and all that is living.

While the latter overarching goals for architectural design are all vital to creating human constructs that are beneficial to the world, it is important to ask yourself as an architect: What is the guiding purpose that drives your designs? Your answer to this question does not preclude other reasons for designing meaningful built forms; however, you will create projects from a deeper, more soulful, place by knowing your primary design motivation. This knowledge can help you evolve your designs from buildings that meet and exceed time and budget expectations, into becoming great architecture that also serves an innovative and important mission.

The Mission behind Poetic Design

Just as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs teaches on the levels that lead to human self-actualization and transcendence, your architectural designs can shape the world on levels that lead to global thrivability. Ultimately, it is poetics that pulls architectural design into these holistically beneficial realms that help humanity and our planetary surroundings to form harmonious synergies. With poetics, architects can shape the future of how environmental beauty, function, and meaning will nurture generations to come. Once again, it is time to think more consciously about the purpose of architecture. I invite you to ponder these two questions: What will you do to elevate the poetics of your architectural design projects? And how will this shape the purpose of architecture for our future?

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