WEEK5: Heidegger

Is it possible our personal interaction affects the building? Does our interaction as designers and clients affect the building?

It is not only possible that our personal interaction affects the building,  but it is inevitable. Our job as architects is to create space. We do our best to approach the design with the needs of the client in mind, but ultimately we design thorough our own lens. As individuals, we have each experienced a variety of spaces and formed different emotive associations with their conditions. Unconsciously or not, we bring these associations to the drawing when we design.

It is possible that Heidegger’s search through the old language for meaning is a search for authenticity. Is it valuable to search for authenticity in designing/building architecture?

I believe he believes he is searching for authenticity; however; his search, to me, seems a bit flat.  The meaning of an idea (like dwelling) is not solely characterized by the language we use to describe the idea (and the derivation of that language). When speaking of things related to people, we must consider how that idea affects the psyche, the psychological impact of that thing or idea to be considered. To dwell is to take shelter in, or contrarily to take protection from. A dwelling, as a place of protection, is a place where one feels safe. This is no small thing. The sense of safety, according to Maslow, is our most primary need that must be fulfilled before any other. It is no wonder our most intimate moments happen at home, in our dwelling. It is the place where we can be our truest self, without fear of repose or judgement. And that, I believe, is what makes it a dwelling and not merely a building.

Can we design and build with this sense of permanence?

That which exists solely in the physical world will inevitably succumb to neglect, deterioration, collapse; however; I believe the meaning of what the building stood for (if it truly is an idea that can reach all of humanity no matter race, religion, or I think we, as architects, can build with this sense of permanence. I do not mean to say that only trained architects can do this; only that those who build from a place of forethought and introspection. That is, if we allow that which we design to reflect who we are as a humanity and what it means to be in this space and time. If we design in such a way that demonstrates our values and ideals, we will build something that will always have a sense of importance and meaning. And that, I believe, is the greater sense of permanence.