Do Architects Matter in a Post-Pandemic World?

With the advent of times and over the course of the pandemic, we have seen tremendous changes in our lives, not to mention our job roles. We have started viewing all aspects of existence with an introspective lens and it has given us insight as to how to want to live the rest of our lives. The time is nigh to take action and work towards a goal, larger than ourselves and something which gives life purpose and meaning. The AEC industry has seen the need to be highly transformative, with recurring conversations on education, work culture, cultural relevance, building and construction and residential coups; spaces that have seen massive changes in accordance with the ‘new normal.

With respect to education, the discussion is ‘what does the pandemic or post-pandemic school look like?’ and how can the academic world contribute to finding solutions?’ The new take on architecture and its allied fields has established new paths. Discussion platforms have been birthed within the design fraternity, in the form of webinars, zoom discussions or digital festivals, offering a fresh perspective and a new approach on how to pursue “off-beat” fields. Some realistic solutions have been devised that offer a pragmatic view on what the post-pandemic architecture world might look like, and how the different facets of architecture can make our lives better in these challenging circumstances. The need of the hour is to diversify from core “brick and mortar” architecture and bring to the forefront, the needs of society. Necessity has led to innovation-based, people-centric requirements which aim to bridge the gap between traditional job roles and those unconventional jobs dreamed of by today’s youth!

The idea is to target fields that promote efficient working; aiming at targetting climate change, drawing focus to the broadening gender ratio discrepancy, financial bridge of amenities between the poor and rich, etc. With growing awareness of issues that have a larger presence than all of us and have long-term effects that will far outlive OUR lives, this is our attempt at taking a different trajectory in terms of career paths.

In architecture school we are trained with the ability to think critically- this skill can be transferred and applied to situations in real life. Most people are aware of the disconnect between formal education and practical requirements, but the gap can be bridged using relevant information and the eagerness to learn! As architects, we work in the service industry and cater to clients of varying mindsets and worldviews. Preparing clients for shifting standards will induce a discussion about inclusivity, adaptability and the ability for design to cater to a motley of different functions. With this, all parts of society can be integrated when design is both utilitarian and inclined towards aesthetics.

When different realms of society unite to realise a singular vision, energies are directed to enable it; coordination and work happening in tandem become catalysts to creative thinking. This is easier said than done- can you imagine how much work it will take? It takes a strategic mix and match of design thinking with creative thinking to offer transferrable solutions. Other factors which are equally important are the ease of adapting these solutions, time taken to realise/execute ideas, collateral required and financial presence! This discussion reiterates the point of architects needing to think of multifaceted iterations of designs. We are bestowed with the duty to adapt to newer and more effective ways of working, transforming the space we live in and for those who seek our help and inspire future generations to be optimistic and nifty.

The takeaway is for all of us, architects and allies, to avoid straight lines. We must broaden our approach to think of alternate ways of doing the things we do, for a demographic that thinks differently. The world is your playground when you chose to see things with a fresh pair of eyes.

In other words, beginning right now, there is a real need for architects to apply their problem-solving skills to the unique and pervasive problem of rethinking entire environments.

We tend to gravitate towards our comfort zones when we are dealt the cards of life, but consider this a PSA. We don’t need to cross the bridge in one attempt- all it takes is several small but consistent steps! Now that over the course of ample research we have FOUND solutions that may work, we must exploit the information and use it dynamically. We defeat the purpose of evolution once we sign up for life and do what’s expected! We need to propose modular solutions to architectural problems and, simultaneously, design to meet the unique needs of clients, owners, occupants, and, indeed, future generations of occupants.

By Purvi Mody

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