There is one thing that has really started to annoy me on the web pages of BD. It’s the number of people who repeatedly vent the same discombobulated, ill-conceived drivel in the Comments section. Although I live in hope that it is not representative of the profession at large, after reading it optimism fades and I think I might find a very tall new build to jump off.
We really are a funny bunch. We put ourselves through the rigours of seven-year training, we graduate and then we embark on one of the most difficult and testing professions. From all corners of the profession we witter and twitter and ramble and shamble on and on and ON: not enough fees, not enough work, too much undercutting.
Then we whine on some more. What’s the point of competitions? Planners are all out to lunch and away with the fairies. RIBA this, ARB that. Peers wade in with hotly tipped opinions and eschew our taste and choice of materials. Then we have the meddling Prince adding his tuppence -worth — generally lethal to any scheme. Computer says “NO”. I often read articles where the same old stuff is regurgitated and I’ve even been known to have the odd whinge myself.
Here are a couple of stories that illustrate my case about whingeing architects. A few weeks ago it was reported that the new RIBA president Angela Brady (brought on in a hail of glory with a pledge to change things) was going to open an outpost of RIBA in trendy Hoxton Square, termed a “funky institut”’.
I couldn’t believe the amount of people who just waded in with a slating. I completely respect people having their opinions but what happened to being constructive, or positive, or supportive? Comments included: “That sounds like my worst nightmare” and “Trying to be cool is just about the uncoolest thing you could possibly do”. Give it a chance I say!
The following week, RIBA launched an initiative to improve the quality of new-build housing, championing “homes that will be well-designed, meet modern lifestyles and stand the test of time” @BeHomeWise. It was featured on BBC Breakfast and seemed to get a very positive response from the national media.
BD picked up the story, saying that some architects had attacked the space standard campaign. The mindless comments at the end of the article were really astounding. They included: “extraordinarily irresponsible” and “…a misguided campaign and certainly not one I’m happy to see my RIBA subscription support”.
Surely the idea was to start constructive debate in the industry between housebuilders and architects? But again, although there was some positive reaction, the same old people sounded off at the end of the article.
It makes me wonder why we architects like to stew in our own misery? Why are we so enthusiastic, happy and eager to attack ourselves? There are many good things happening out there despite the recession rut we all seem to be in.
We should be focusing on the positives in the profession. I know it’s hard to see the buildings for the brickbats, but there is no point blaming each other or demolishing any proactive suggestions.
How about we help ourselves? It’s time we really started liking ourselves as this is the only way things will change. Let’s start by pulling together for a massive group hug. Anyone?
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