Anupama Kundoo on Architecture and the Luxury of Time

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of materiality in architecture, not for its physical properties but for the human interaction and craftsmanship it involves. They critique the over-standardization in post-industrial practices and advocate for a return to local, sustainable materials and methods. The speaker also discusses the misuse of time as a resource, suggesting that a slower, more thoughtful approach to building can lead to more sustainable and meaningful architecture, and calls for a shift in environmental discussions to focus on human engagement with materials rather than material composition.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The speaker emphasizes the precarious relationship between the state of nature and human nature, suggesting this is where the problem of precarity unfolds.
• 🏗️ Architecture's significance lies not in its materiality but in the design of spaces that humans inhabit, affecting users through the voids and the thoughtful use of materials.
• ♻️ Materiality concerns both the makers and users of architecture, highlighting the need to reconsider post-industrial practices and over-standardization in material sourcing.
• 🌳 The speaker argues against a material fetish and for a deeper understanding of how humans interact with materials, rather than judging materials as inherently good or bad.
• ⏳ Time is presented as a crucial, underutilized resource, with the way we use it being a key factor in creating problems or solutions in architecture and environmental impact.
• 🏡 Pre-industrial architecture was defined by the time and effort invested in it, not the material cost, reflecting a deeper human connection to the creation process.
• 🌐 The global material culture, exemplified by glass towers, has deepened social divides and affordability issues, impacting the quality of life in urban areas.
• 🔄 The environmental discussion should shift from material characteristics to non-material aspects, such as how we engage with and use materials.
• 🛠️ Craftsmanship and local knowledge are vital in sustainable architecture, and the speaker advocates for a return to valuing these over standardized, industrial practices.
• 🌿 The speaker shares experiences of creating architecture with local materials and methods, demonstrating that it's possible to produce contemporary and sustainable spaces by prioritizing local resources and community engagement.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker identifies with the current state of architecture and materiality?

The speaker identifies the problem of precarity in the state of nature and its relationship to human nature, and how this unfolds in architecture. They argue that the essential problem of our times is materiality, and that architecture should not be about the material itself but the voids that humans inhabit.

How does the speaker view the role of users in architecture?

The speaker believes that users are affected by the parts of architecture that are not built, implying that the spaces between and around structures are as important as the structures themselves.

What is the speaker's stance on the relationship between material sourcing and architecture?

The speaker emphasizes that material sourcing is a crucial part of architecture, involving numerous jobs and processes. They argue for a reevaluation of post-industrial practices and the over-standardization that has removed individuality and creativity from architecture.

Why does the speaker argue against labeling materials as inherently good or bad?

The speaker argues against labeling materials as good or bad because all materials come from the earth, and it is the human interaction with and sourcing of these materials that leads to energy consumption and environmental impact.

What does the speaker suggest is the most underutilized resource in relation to architecture?

The speaker suggests that time is the most underutilized resource, and that the way we use our time is creating problems rather than solutions in architecture.

How does the speaker view the historical approach to architecture in terms of material use?

The speaker views historical approaches to architecture as more sustainable and in tune with local resources, where materials were used based on availability and local knowledge, rather than a globalized material culture.

What is the speaker's opinion on the current global material culture of glass towers?

The speaker criticizes the current global material culture of glass towers for its high cost, both financially and environmentally, and for deepening social divides through issues of affordability and access.

Why does the speaker advocate for a shift in environmental discussions about materials?

The speaker advocates for a shift from discussing the materials themselves to focusing on the non-material aspects of how humans engage with materials, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and process over material type.

What alternative approach to architecture does the speaker propose to address environmental concerns?

The speaker proposes an alternative approach that values local materials, traditional knowledge, and craftsmanship over industrialized, standardized materials and processes, aiming to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

How does the speaker's personal experience in rural areas influence their architectural philosophy?

The speaker's experience in rural areas led them to recognize the abundance of local resources and the potential for using these resources creatively in architecture, challenging the notion that there is 'nothing' in rural areas and promoting the use of local knowledge and materials.

What is the speaker's view on the role of education in architectural practice?

The speaker believes in hands-on education that involves direct confrontation with real scale, real materials, real people, and real places, arguing that this approach prevents alienation between academia and practice and prepares students better for the field.