Ethical architecture - Literature review Example

?Ethical Architecture beyond alization: Literature Review Thomas Fisher, a in College of Design at USA mentions in his book ‘Architectural Design and Ethics’ that this concept offers a theoretical foundation including suggestions to the students of architecture as well as those related to this field as professionals. The concept of ethical architecture demonstrates ideas that make us rethink all those responsibilities that will further assist in designing more sustainable plans for ourselves. Fisher further clarifies the fact that today’s human being is living in a dynamic world where several exponential curves related growth can be seen like the diversion in global population, the gap between rich and poor, the growing demand of limited resources etc. So, keeping in mind all those realities, Fisher, put forward a hypothesis related to architecture and ethics and further explores that buildings can also do a great deal of work and can give moral and social dimensions. He also demonstrates the ideas through which architects can make more appealing buildings and will definitely nurture sustainability in the field of architecture development. Architecture and Ethics While representing the idea of architecture and ethics, Graham Owen depicts that ethics play a great role in architectural schools. Ethics are basically, related with the relations among architects, the clients as well as the society. These relations are formally codified and formulated by the governing organizations. However, it is a fact that, most often, less attention is paid to this corner. Usually it is overlooked how various ethics between architects and society can be generated and altered efficiently. Graham Owen further mentions the idea that ethical concerns in architecture sometimes become more controversial and crucial because of the religious beliefs. He mentions the quote of a famous architect, Elizabeth Schmidt who said that, “While of course everyone believes in good ethics, the problem with it as a pedagogical principle is that it smacks of nineteenth- century moralism and therefore of religiously based instruction, I firmly believe in the separation of church and state.” (Owen, 2009. Pp: 3) From the above mentioned concept of Schmidt, it can be judged that to understand and learn ethics in the school of architecture is just to incorporate particular interpretations of ethics. Whereas an alternate approach defines ethics as the language of values and morals. Ethics do not relate with someone’s particular morals. However, later approaches shoe that ethics can better hold up professionalism and advancement in any particular field which might be education and architecture. In urban dwelling, especially schools of designs, designing and building complexities are basically focused along with the ethics of creative and technological progress. Ethical Function of Architecture: In addition to previous concepts, Karsten Harries further mentioned that architecture always performs an ethical function or have moral approach. For example a functional building with beautiful and appealing architecture will obviously render a beautiful impact and image in the mind of observers. So, this will depict the power of beauty as well. A building with rich architecture and ethical consideration will definitely leave long lasting image in the minds of observers. When we talk about the evolution of human being, we can see that human were first emerged as wild beasts with long bears, hair on their bodies, in woods living in cages and live along with fire. Later on time got changed and went on and on. People started changing their life style and became more and more civilized. They started learning various arts and ethics to pass better life. And these arts jointly give rise to ethical considerations and evolution of cities and cultures. Harries further elaborated several examples to clarify that buildings offer functional approach and provide a complete way to life to human as well as animals. Dwellings not only serve but also speak the life of a human. These offer a functional frame to individuals living inside. The architecture might be a theatre, library, department, shop, factory, mosque, hospital, hotel or prison. So, whatever the building and architecture is, the main purpose is always to offer a functional frame. While talking about modern architecture and construction, there are several points that should be noted. (1) Modern construction and development always finds its way in some specific inspiration. The architecture catches up by engineers is based upon any particular inspiration. (2) Modern architecture is always based on economic considerations along with efficiency levels. So, the end construction is impersonal. The architect is not only an instrument but he is a source of inspiration. (3) The modern construction process first proved itself in utilitarian buildings including warehouses and factories than domestic construction. Maintenance of Codes, Standards and Regulations for architects: We can see that professional and specialized bodies always involve standards and codes for their betterment. Same occurs when we talk about architecture and designing. Architects and other related professionals of this field devise a detailed set of codes to maintain high level and quality effective level of professionalism for architects. RIBA produced a code and standards of conduct in this regard. Architects are always advised to follow these codes and standards for better efficiency and maintenance of quality. David Chappell and Andrew Willis mentioned these standards briefly in their book named Architect in Practice. These codes beautifully combine professionalism and ethics in one fabric. A brief description is given below. An architect or any professional related to the field of designing is always expected to, 1. Act with maximum possible honesty and integrity 2. He should be a competent worker 3. A professional should always offer his/ her services with a great sense of responsibility 4. He should be a great manager. This means that he should be competent in a way that he should manage the tasks efficiently. 5. Professionalism is a concept where a worker loves to observe things in a wider perspective. He should be capable enough to understand and consider in wider perspective and with broad vision. 6. Workers and professionals should always carry out tasks faithfully. 7. According to the standards and codes of conduct, it is also essential that an architect should be trustworthy enough and should look after his clients’ money in a proper manner. 8. A professional should also be deeply concerned about the reputation of his institution. And he should maintain this status and name at his most. 9. Professionals should also be capable to deal with all the complaints and disputes appropriately. 10. He should be cooperative and have respect for all around. European Deontological Code for provider’s of architectural services: In the ‘International conference Portugal SB07, sustainable construction, materials and practices’ several other rights are mentioned. The council of Europe related to the rights and duties of architects also states in ‘European Deontological Code for architects’ that architects should be respectful for their surroundings. They should be keen in developing a system of morals and values for the community in which they are performing the tasks and creating architecture. Architects are not only made and educated to produce quality buildings and designs but they should also participate to improve the quality and standard of living for the people. They should consider the interests of community as well for which they are designing any particular building or architecture. It is important to understand that the interests and requirements of people, who will use any particular building, should be considered prior to anything else. Remember, society always expect sustainable projects and results from architects. Anyways, it is also a fact that practice is always required for perfection. So, architects should be educated from professional designing schools to bring out this perfection for rest of the community. Ethics: A Guide from Assumption to Practice Mario Botta presents in her book ‘Ethics and the practice of architecture’ that while creating any new designs, architecture and building there might be some issues. For example questions like forming new decisions what is right or what is the best solution among all. Such decisions may require something more than sound and practical knowledge. So, an architect should implement his other talents as well. He should have solid understanding of ethics that are the core of architectural techniques. So, it is important to understand that ethics in architecture offer a broad base, complete introduction to the issues related to design and building. Ethical approach is a way that helps in bridging the ways between theory and practical implication of various practices. Ethical dimensions help us to understand how an architect can better cope with issues keeping in mind the interests and conditions of the society. Architecture and the post political world: Ostwald mentions in his article ‘Architecture in the Post Political World’ that the construction of architecture greatly depends on ideological situations. The conditions behind formation greatly affect and shape the architecture of a place. Political systems also vary the shapes and buildings of any particular era. Political regimes also reflect the ideological beliefs as well. In conventional political systems, like socialism, the governing authorities basically dealt with managerial and economics concepts. Their end goals more often dealt with growth and productivity. So, the moral principles and social ideas lagged behind. So, the contemporary political structures had ideological values that are hidden. However, this does not mean that are values were totally absent. Later on, post political structures produced more sustainable features and artifacts that have physical values. The architecture produced in this period was more contingent and complex than it was once in stable and ideological regimes. So, gradually art and architecture became more a field than just a subject. New techniques and concepts started arising in this period. So, a transformation started occurring and an ideological system was restored and replaced with a more practical and managerial approach. In early twentieth century, art and architecture rose in a more formal manner and drew a clear understanding between formal lines and ideology. The architecture came forward in this period was more practical up to the ideology of the state. On the other hand, some geographers like Peirce Lewis mentions that there is no direct relationship between the excellence related to aesthetics and moral virtues. However, historical examples showed that ideology provides a certain and strong link between aesthetics and moral values. And these values work together to form an environment. However, it is a fact that the environment goes on changing day by day and from one place to another. Thus we can simply find out the fact, as mentioned by David J. Nemeth in his book ‘The Architecture of Ideology’ that ideology makes a clear foundation to maintain an economic, political, social, architectural, ethical and political order. Role of the Architect: Last but not the least, the role of an architect is also very important. He should have a thorough knowledge of his organization as well as products of the organization. He should be well aware about all developmental guides and processes along with technologies. However, beside technical area it is also important that an architect should have knowledge about the environment and surroundings where he wants to built any particular idea. The role of an architect does not only end with technical approaches but he should know the art of developing thinking, morals and ideas into concrete work. Understanding of technology is essential to cope with architectural challenges and for creative work as well. However, the knowledge of technical and nominal issues is also very important for an architect. This approach is very much required to build creative models at one end as well as to create alternate approaches in case any issue arises. Furthermore, architect should have creative approach along with pragmatic vision. He should have deep insight to tolerate different issues at a time. At abstract level he should be good and responsible as well. These are the basic understandings that can work well as far as ethics and architecture are related. References: 1. Botta, Mario., 1998. The Ethics of Building. Princeton Architectural Press. 2. Fisher, T., 2008. Architectural Design and Ethics. Elsevier Ltd. USA 3. Frampton, K, Thames, Hudson,. 1980. Modern Architecture: A Critical History. World of Art. 4. Harries, K., 1998. The ethical function of Architecture. The MIT Press. 5. International Conference., 2007. Portugal SB07 Sustainable Construction, Materials and Practices: Challenge of the Industry for the New Millennium. IOS Press. 6. Michael J. Ostwald. Ranciere and the Meta political framing of architecture: [Online] Available at: [Accessed 6th February 2011]. 7. Nemeth, D,. 1987. The architecture of ideology: neo- Confucian imprinting on Cheju Island. Korea. 8. Owen, G., 2009. Architecture, ethics and globalization. Routledge. USA 9. Venturi, R,. 1977. The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form. MIT Press. 10. Speaight, A., 1973. Architect’s Legal Handbook: The Law for Architects. 9th Edition. Architectural Press Ltd. USA 11. The New York Times. Architecture and Global Politics. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 6th February 2011]. 12. The MIT Press. Architecture and Ideology in Eastern Europe during the Stalin Era. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 6th February 2011]. Read More