Architecture a building – it is how

Architecture to me is not only the aestheticsand the complicated form of a building – it is how a space is formed when thereis an interaction and a harmony of three main elements: human, nature and programmewithout compromising the existing site, social or economical context. I am a firm believer in using architecture topromote social interaction, growth in community and use it to affect one’slife. This passion sparked when I was first introduced to the Igualada Cemeteryby Enric Miralles and the poetics in architecture and how a space can affectone’s mood or provoke a feeling. I was taken aback at how a cemetery, normally builtas a place for reflection and memories could also help visitors to understandcycle of life as a link between the past, present and the future. It was then that I knew that all architecturecan affect a person’s life whether good or bad and how architects have anethical duty to the community. My main interest is to see how public spaces canaffect the growth and success of a community.

When travelling, I always observeways a public space in a city can benefit its community or the public ineveryday life. My personal favorite is the big canopy trees along the streetsof Hanoi that shelters pedestrians from the tropical climate of Vietnam, or howthe backalleys are fully utilized rather than used only for services. Theseattempts keep public spaces more friendly and usable for the public. I also think publicspaces if designed carefully with sensitivity to the community and site can benefita community. With great involvement with the community throughout the planning, designing and construction process, Thornton Place in Seattle, USA by LandscapeArchitecture Foundation is a good example of how a physically constrained sitecan provide an opportunity to serve multiple purposes while also improving theenvironment by introducing stormwater treatment.

Carved out from a nine acre parking lot, whatwas an automobile-oriented place is now an apartment complex with a publicplaza and landscaping that provides pedestrian links to nearby commercial andresidential buildings. This idea can be implemented to the designs of new high-risebuildings whether commercial or residential in Malaysia.      Another example, is theGehl Institute’s Toolkit for the Creation of Public Spaces, Jan Gehl is anurbanist and architect who married architecture with psychology and urbanplanning and later on created a toolkit that encourages designers to engage andcollect data on how people interact with cities before planning and designingpublic spaces. Jan Gehl’s studies was used to form urban policy and implementpublic space and pedestrian improvement in Copenhagen which has spread intodevelopment of public spaces in other cities.

His approach is simple andstraightforward – making cities for people and can be used when approaching adesign for public spaces or urban planning. Form follows function all the way. My point is, there aremany strategies to better an architecture if architects focus on working with peopleto create mutually beneficial relationships between people’s quality of lifeand their built environment.

After all, I do believe an architect has anethical duty in increasing the quality of cities and quality of lives overtime.