Civic
Leadership
Do
architects and architectural firms have a social responsibility beyond our
practice? We all have heard about the social consequences of architecture and
about architects having a responsibility to the community when they create a
piece of architecture. But do we have a social responsibility that extends
beyond our practice?
How do
we not? We would be fooling ourselves to think that we don't. All we need to do
is ask ourselves why we got into this practice in the first place. It certainly
wasn't for fame and fortune. It is because we all believe that architecture
creates better places, that architecture affects society, and that it can even
have a role in making a place civilized by making a community more livable.
No we
aren't curing AIDS, or solving the world’s economy crisis, or ending poverty,
but you better believe we are effecting the quality of life. It is why I design
schools. While I am not an inspirational life-changing educator, I am providing
a building that supports, stimulates, protects, and inspires young minds and
encourages bright teachers.
We
work in a profession made up of mostly introverts who seem more inclined to
follow than lead. We tend to be too cautious and are too timid to set ourselves
apart from the rest. Our world is missing out on a lot of conscious-minded
individuals who are amazing problem solvers. It is our duty to serve others
when we know what kind of talent our Architectural Society holds. Creativity is
a form of social responsibility. I hold-heartedly believe that "creativity
is how architecture makes itself matter, and how the generations take up the
tradition of using architecture as a means of speaking to one another."
WE CAN
AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
WE CAN
INFLUENCE SOCIAL CONDITIONS
WE CAN
BE THE CATALYST FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
WE CAN
PROBLEM SOLVE FOR THOSE IN NEED
WE CAN
BUILD A DISCOURSE AROUND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
WE CAN
GUIDE OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR PLANET
