Architecture and Urban Design has the ability to alter social life, to change the way people perceive one other, to change the world in my opinion.
Humans are categorised based on their external environment, our 'neighbourhood', etc; but more importantly, the stark man-made division between 'two worlds' - only beneficial to those in power. I believe that this mere socially constructed <<non>> reality, inhibits the appreciation from the 'outsider' and the desire to explore beyond accepted 'low-risk' boundaries, and simultaneously the hesitation of how there is inevitably always a utopia within some kind of dystopia, and vice versa - we are not that different from one another.
The social divide created by none other that those in power, stalls this appreciation and beauty, most importantly personal identity within the madness - and inhibits that pride and appreciation in difference. We need to focus on an environment that strives in difference, that will always be there, yet executed as such that uplifts instead of segregate, and explores how we can form a unity, an identity, admired by sides previously opposed.
Humanity tends to look beyond the built environment, which is indeed shaped by those in control, but I strongly believe that too little responsibility is placed in an architects hands - after studying the human body, shape, size; interactions within different environments; psychological impact of different materials; health impact; environmental impact; list goes on.... yet, all we do is focus on "aesthetics" and draw plans.
"She is one of the most innately talented students I’ve had in my teaching career, including being a professor at Yale, Harvard, Columbia, and other schools of distinction. She is naturally gifted when it comes to design which is very rare as most students need to be taught or inspired." - Michael Sorkin
