It is quite astonishing to be here at the UIA 2014 world Conference in
Durban, South Africa.
What a privilege to be in the midst of a 4,222 architects from all
over the world! Coming from the somewhat monochromatic community of Western Massachusetts, it is
truly a delight to see/hear/chat with colleagues from everywhere.
The theme of the conference is “Otherwhere”—where we haven't been, where we want to go. For Durban & South Africa, it has to do with celebrating 20 years since apartheid was overturned. It is important to Africans to talk about how far they have come, and how far they still need to go. To heal the social wounds and build an environment that is just, economically viable, and culturally lively.
And it is such a valid topic for the rest of world as well. After all, there is growing disparity between the rich and poor, diminishing resources and growing climate unrest. Democracies are not flourishing, and architects find the profession ever more complex and difficult.
Where can we go to get to a better place for all? Where is Otherwhere?
We have heard some very moving presentations from keynote speakers—here are my favorites so far:
Cameron Sinclair, from Architecture for Humanity, encouraged us to solve urgent needs in the world by going into the communities and having schools, libraries, soccer fields, and clinics built by, for, and with the people who will use them. Any attempts to impose architecture into these very dire conditions, will not survive over time, i.e. be sustainable. He showed us graceful structures in Haiti, Rwanda, and throughout Africa.
Francis Kéré, an architect from Burkina Faso, creates strikingly beautiful buildings that use indigenous materials in African forms. Yet his architecture—built by hand generally with tribal workers—is clearly modern in its understanding of climate and resources, in its soaring and sculptural in form.
Susannah Drake, an American architect/landscape architect from New York City, showed how waterway improvement projects can reduce pollution, provide climactic resiliency, and regenerate green parks within the city. She is fierce, inclusive, and unerringly systemic in vision.
These are just the first impressive few, as I fill my days hearing from informed and visionary design professionals throughout this UIA
conference. My gratitude to NCARB, AIA, and the organizers for hosting such a challenging yet inspiring gathering of worldwide colleagues. We may yet reach Otherwhere!