🏛 The spark of powerful conversations
The priceless skill of asking questions in a time of great unknowing.
“We can do better—we are smarter than burning everything to generate steam to turn a turbine—and as a human with a brain, we should be doing better. We should be using our brains for something that matches our own complexity.” ~ New York University (NYU) student, quoted in “Happy” Earth Day? Here’s What Young People Think, from Building Green
Solving problems is my happy place. I felt so good at the thesis presentations of the seven projects featured in our podcast because, yes, they are big visions. But every one of these projects seems real to me. They ask big questions and then they answer them. It's one of the best things about architecture—being the expert in the room, helping people to puzzle out ways to achieve a shared vision.
Yet the conversations we’ve had with these young architects have opened up a broader perspective for me. I now appreciate that questioning and not-knowing are quite possibly the most valuable skills for the work ahead. The interlinked predicaments of the climate crisis and social justice demand fresh eyes and humility. Maybe the questions matter more than the answers.
As Vincenza observes in this episode, the architecture of climate resilience increasingly relies on science, a discipline built to deal with unknowns. These young architects are finding their way to questions that may not have determinate answers. It’s a feat to know what questions to ask. Leaning into that process of discovery is as critical as whatever imperfect solutions may be found. Especially for a profession as bound as we are to patronage and, you know, physics.
I think of architecture and construction as legacy professions. Like a giant container ship, we can’t just turn on a dime. Our design approach builds upon centuries of cultural continuity and precedent. We learn through years of apprenticeship. It’s conservative in the truest sense of that word. Sure, there are exceptions, but often even the most novel-appearing buildings rely on tried and true construction methods. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum on 5th Avenue in New York and Frank Gehry’s Bilbao Guggenheim still have to be heated and cooled. The artwork has to be lit just so. The bathrooms handicapped accessible. (What is it with the Guggenheims and architects named Frank, anyway?)
Today’s massive societal problems demand innovation all around—in terms of process, goals, materials, and execution. As the poet and essayist Audrey Lorde observed way back in 1984, “The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House.”
In that spirit, the greatest asset of our seven guests is not yet being indoctrinated into the status quo of “how we've always done it.” They have fresh eyes, limited preconceptions and a unique perspective they are not shy to share. They're comfortable with bringing humility to projects and enrolling people in a collaborative creative effort. They're searching and asking and listening and that gives us hope, even more than their beautiful, visionary projects.
In our final episode, Vincenza and I share our favorite moments from this season of the podcast. We also hear from current students, as they weigh in on the value of interdisciplinary education, being part of a movement (or not), and how they are building hope. It’s full of thoughtful, wise, amusing, and hopeful takes. I can’t resist the temptation to share with you the final words of the episode—featured guest Leah Clark’s beautiful observation:
“I'm building hope by being here and talking with you guys. Honestly, I think we shouldn't underestimate how powerful just having conversations with each other can be—because ideas can spread and that's how change happens. So if this could be the spark, I think that's a great thing.”
What powerful conversations have you had lately?
This summer we’ll continue to promote the podcast and will also plan for season 2 with another round of grant proposals. These weekly posts will keep coming, because there’s always something to talk about in the world of climate-resilient design. Vincenza has promised me some posts about her thesis, which was awarded a Director’s Prize at graduation last month, and I can’t wait.
This project is supported by a Faculty-Student Research Award from the Graduate School, University of Maryland, as well as grants from the University’s Sustainability Fund and the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation.