"Who Cares?" Architecture

Having been fortunate enough to travel across the world to study architecture, there is one typology that repeatedly attracts my interest. I call it the architecture of “who cares?” It’s not a terribly sophisticated term, but I hope my point is well taken. It describes the project that doesn’t demand media attention, doesn’t attract activist protestors and doesn’t have tons of money thrown at it. It’s the antithesis of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Denver Art Museum or the Salk Institute. It’s essentially something that could be—and often is—done by anyone. These projects are mostly architectural fast-food. They are quick, easy and most importantly, cheap. My intrigue in this typology is that occasionally you’ll see a masterpiece embedded in it, despite its inherent limitations.

If you think about the iconic Architectures of our time, they will most often be well-funded projects. The Salk Institute, for instance, is widely considered to be Louis Kahn’s masterpiece, but it also happened to be his best funded project. The point here is not to belittle the great architects of our time, but rather point out that these great buildings came from a great wealth of resources. How much greater then is an Architecture that comes forth from limited time and means. I took the above picture while I was in Rosario, Argentina. The architect who designed it doesn't live a glamorous lifestyle, just a little cluttered office and mostly meager clients, but the architecture he produces has the quality of dedication and refinement.

I think about places like Los Angeles, not far from where I grew up, that focus solely on a small subset of well designed public buildings that cost a small fortune to build, and yet the everyday places and buildings that people inhabit are in many ways utterly disregarded. I think about Detroit, a city that has catered to some of the most notable architects of the twentieth century, that finds itself in shambles because of its decaying residential neighborhoods—the preeminent example of “who cares?” architecture. I have a great deal of respect for the Gehrys, Libeskinds and Kahns of the world, but their realm is in no threat of extinction. My concern is that the realm of “who cares?” will continue to be disregarded by otherwise talented architects and taken on by less conscious entities. When resources are limited, it takes good designers to make places worth caring about.

Would love to hear some of your thoughts.

Tags: Architecture, Art, Daniel Libeskind, Denver Art Museum, Disney Concert Hall, Frank Gehry, Louis Kahn, Rosario, Salk Institute, Who Cares

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Comment by alberto cidraes on April 23, 2010 at 8:52pm: For ex. in Europe towns appeared and grew in a spontaneous way, without architects and we take from them lessons in organic architecture. In the same way grows the town in Brazil where I live, naturally each inhabitant devising his own house with the meager means available in the limited piece of land he owns. And thus urban space grows like an octopus spreading tentacles.

Comment by YJ Cho on April 23, 2010 at 5:50pm: dunno about the west... but this is not the case for japan! there cuz land space is so confined and restricted... plenty of residential houses are done very ingenously by japanese architects. yes, some are quite the hefty bill..but some are basically "reformed" (ie. revamped) houses done at realistic (and competitive) prices! unfortunately as i don't live in japan.. i can't upload pics of such amazing houses..but you can find examples of them strewn in many architecture magazines! ^^

and btw.. looove that brick(?) house! nice!!!!

Comment by erwin octavious ranyes on April 22, 2010 at 12:29am: architecture in its purest element to me is about physical elements that are crafted in any way fit to transpire and inspire an individuals or groups need in setting up an environment that truely manifest the purpose of its existence :) it can just be brick and stones or boards and sheets, it can be at the simplest form of a makeshift shelter for the poor or just a hot dog stall on the streets :) it inspires the individuals needs and gives full respect to its function..Just my 2 cents..

Comment by arlene arroyo on April 20, 2010 at 2:42am: architecture is not all about money, i mean we do need money for living but architecture is sharing and encouraging young artist of this generation to be all out what they have..

-proud to be augustinian architect of the future

Comment by VISHALAKSHI SUBEDAR on April 18, 2010 at 4:30pm: I think the best example of experimenting with architecture without getting it commercialized is Auroville...in Pondicherry, India.It is an experimental township and here in midst of nature you would find the most inspiring architecture, which by no means coming form a high profile client nor from a very busy office...Its really coming from talented designers and is truly inspiring when you feel like there is less hope for architecture without being commercialized....I completely agree with your view that there is architecture which comes from designers not as affluent..but is adding value to the profession on the whole...

Comment by pameli kayal on April 18, 2010 at 3:10am: architecture is all money these days Tyson

Comment by Tyson on April 18, 2010 at 2:06am: Thanks for your comment Pameli. I agree with you about lifestyles, and perhaps my reference to this architects lifestyle was counter productive. The point I was trying to make is that good architecture doesn't necessitate lots of money so much as it needs good designers. I think Laurie Baker is a good example of that. If we had more architects like him we'd probably be happier and more productive. We would have more places worth caring about. That's all I was trying to get at.

Comment by pameli kayal on April 18, 2010 at 1:19am: talking about architects and their lifestyles is like talking about a rural and urban area....I hope u ve heard about Laurie Baker.....in India and at the same time architects like Charles Correa and Hafeez Contractor..............lifestyles also depends upon family background and at the same time..upbringing and to the extents of development u let in flow in ur life and in ur designs.......buildings are like latest fashion trends....the more u explore it the bettr it gets...i wdnt say lifestyle matters bcz its ur personal choice but wat mattrs is wt we construct

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