This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Regional and Urban Design Committee and Committee on Design .
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I ran across this comment and thought it deserved a response.
"We do continue to struggle to understand each other. Patrick's discomfort with Walter's misuse of symbiosis is exactly why this discussion is happening. If we don't know the meaning, can't be sure that we have a shared understanding, of "excellence in architecture", well, where are we?"
I'll try to explain my use of the word "symbiotic" by beginning with the definition. I should mention at the outset, however, that I haven't been trying to provide an improved method of evaluating the excellence of traditional architectural design efforts. I've been trying to outline an expanded vision of architecture that would produce undeniable public recognition of its motives, benefit, value and excellence.
sym·bi·o·sis (s m b - s s, -b -)
n. pl. sym·bi·o·ses (-s z)
1. Biology A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member.
2. A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.
When I use the terms "symbiotic" or Symbiotic Period they refer to the goal of mutual benefit between The Natural Domain and the artificial domain we call the built environment, since they are not mutually dependent. Energy efficient buildings, for instance, are not symbiotic when they continue to consume resources without replacement or benefit to The Natural Domain. The goal is an ideal, but the Natural Domain insists on balance and architecture has a role to play.
Architecture is shelter that accumulates to form the built environment. This environment is growing without restraint because we consider the land a speculative commodity. We call this parasitic growth "sprawl" because other terms represent disturbing analogies. Sprawl can be contained with the city design of urban form, but we are not prepared to undertake the effort with the cultural, professional and educational tools available. I think many will agree, however, that the built environment must expand within a limited Built Domain that does not threaten the life of its natural host. In other words a mutually beneficial, or symbiotic, relationship must be established or it will be imposed by The Natural Domain.
In our case, shelter is a prerequisite for survival but is capable of suffocating the planet with sprawl. A mutually beneficial relationship will depend on our use of intensity to offer lifestyle and shelter options within cities that are contained to protect the life of the planet. This does not solve the problem of mutual benefit, but it is a step in the right direction; and it can be addressed by the physical design disciplines when they have a leader with a convincing message.
Mutual benefit is a symbiotic goal and architecture can play an important part when it sees that the city design of urban form is a strategic plan for survival that will be completed with the tactical tools of construction contract documents.
The challenge of building for survival has taken on a vast new dimension. In the past and present survival has depended on the random construction of shelter wherever the need occurred, and architecture responded with symbols of engineering progress and artistic expression. In the future, a relationship of mutual benefit between The Natural and Built Domains is the only realistic goal. Architecture can respond with symbiotic buildings that continue to sprawl and consume the land that feeds them, or it can expand the concept of shelter for survival to protect the land required for a mutually beneficial relationship with the planet.
Architects have always responded to the need for shelter, but the need has taken on a new dimension as population growth tests our ability to survive within symbiotic limits. This is a challenge worthy of a new period in architecture, but you must be willing to create the tools, research, knowledge, education and applications required. This will be excellence in architecture. Excellence in design will express the next level of awareness achieved -- and continue to be debated in the language of fine art.------------------------------------------- Walter Hosack
Author
Walter M. Hosack