ɑː(r)kɪˌtektʃə(r) - Architecture, Le manifesto
by David Bastien-Allard
Architecture is defined as the Art and Technique of designing distinguished constructions to fulfill both utilitarian and aesthetic ends.[1] The approach used by architects reflect Science, History, Human approach and Sensibility. In contrast to the poetic definition of the Britannica Encyclopedia, my journey through Architecture has been anything but scientific, nor sensible. Some would consider it a Catastrophe, I personally prefer the words: Destructive, Fatal and Beautiful.
Chapter I - Square One
Becoming an Architect has always been a dream of mine. Since the age I was able to draw, I always thought Architecture would be my vocation; from pretending to be an architect at the age of five, to becoming a frustrated teenager imploring my teachers to grant me a passing grade, my journey was quite disconcerting. Nonetheless, the path was defined and it was clear in my mind that I was ready to fight for it. If failed, my life would have been a deception...
-Why did I choose this path? I ask myself this question often and I think the definition has probably evolved with time.
From being ambitious, to dreaming about changing the world, here I am… It is 4:12 am, I am still awake, drinking a heavy gin and tonic and wondering how I got this far and why I still don’t know where I am going. What originally fascinated me about Architecture was the ability to create something beautiful, unique and moving. Growing up, and becoming a very emotionally driven person, having an impact on people’s experience of space and make them feel an emotion was something that later became an obsession.
The engineering madness and all of the “technicalities” are critical to the profession, yet they also constitute of a toxic pathogen infecting our way of thinking. This thesis resembles a paradox, the new frigid rules appear right and useful; They make architecture safe, sustainable and durable, however they distract the architects from something that has feelings, emotions and a conscience.
Chapter II - The ANTIthesis
The increasing dichotomy between emotions and design constitute the frustration I perceive when I think about the oligopoly that embodies most of the architecture industry in this day and age. My prospect towards this practice is to celebrate ephemeral moments, contemplate beauty and emotions that otherwise get ignored.
-To build or not to build…? In the world I am living in, architecture epitomize the needs of a narcissistic being, on a journey to fulfill this delusional desire of “design irrationality”.
From an environment embracing the body like a mistress, to preposterous attentions dictated by the French novelist Boris Vian, I imagine the world like a tragic place where I can only draw this beautiful illusion of satisfaction and beauty to satisfy my ego.
In some ways, I compare myself to Colin, the protagonist in the novel “L’Écume des Jours”; An eccentric figure, living with a suicidal mouse and going out of his way to forget the misery of the world he lives in.
Colin lives a lie, truthfully, it is more honest, because he invented it. The end of every chapter is tragic, I believe life is like an unfinished painting, and as it deteriorates, I must fill all of the ugly holes to make it beautiful again.
[1] “Architecture.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., February 29, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/topic/architecture.