Future Work: Will It be Big Enough?

International Conference of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (Istanbul, Turkey), 2001

Architectural work no longer seems big enough. It does not, even though it must, capture and renew the spirit of the worker. Examples abound of architects disappointed with the field, frustrated at their jobs. James Stewart Polshek has recently talked of the 'downward trajectory of my beloved profession.' Samuel Mockbee calls for architects 'to be more than a house pet for the rich; we need to get out of that role.' Too often talented students become uninspired professionals cranking out lackluster buildings. This paper searches for a better way, for different paths to meaningful work.

Three recent experiences of the author are presented. These include an award-winning design-build installation, an eight-week field study of south Asia, and two years of service as the director of a post-professional Master of Architecture program.

It is suggested that for architectural work to be important it must be of consequence to the creator, give the author the sense that he or she has made a difference in the life of another human being, and matter, in a fundamental way, to the well-being of society.