Form Follows Performance - Part 2

The world will have to be re-designed in the coming times.

Lets do it properly this time.

What is performance in architecture?

For me, it has always been about finding the balance between various efficiencies and flexibility in uses:

• Efficiency and flexibility in the use of resources like:

  • space

  • volume

  • materials

  • energy

  • information

  • knowledge

  • time

• Efficiency and flexibility in communication with:

  • clients

  • members of the project team

  • contractors/builders

  • employees/colleagues

  • authorities

• Efficiency in amenity and affordability:

  • optimising amenity relative to budget

  • optimising performance relative to budget

  • accounting for the whole lifetime of the project

  • providing flexibility for changes of use over time

  • maximising performance and minimising environmental impact

• Efficiency and flexibility in planning, anticipation, contemplation.

  • efficient and flexible use of space in our cities (and other places humans inhabit)

  • efficient use of infrastructure and investment

  • efficiency and flexibility in communication with stakeholders

  • optimising benefits while reducing environmental impact

In a few weeks, on May 18th, it will be 30 years since my graduation.

Being involved in the profession even before that—through my father’s practice and my high school study as an architectural technician, and having worked across three continents, I can say I have a pretty good idea of where the architectural profession stands today.

And I can vouch that it has lost its way since the time when architects were arkhi-tektons: chief builders.

Nowadays, our “designs” are created to be presented, to be shown off through various media, and to be awarded by peers—but not necessarily to be built or used by clients and communities.

One aspect where I couldn’t master efficiency is Care.

Care for the Client.

Care for the Community.

Care for Climate and Nature.