Conscious living.


The Vitruvian triad, “firmitas, utilitas, venustas”. It is incredible how these ancient principles can define the architecture of all times. It is the responsibility of architects to accomplish this triad, this must be guaranteed. Having a space to build is more complicated and scarcer, especially for those who need it most. The right to DECENT HOUSING, written like this, seems easy, but there is a lot behind it. Luckily, I am not a politician and the truth is that I would burn everything down if I were (figuratively speaking). What is also the responsibility of architects is the adjective DIGNIFIED.

What is decent housing? If we get specific, we can explain what the CTE says, which is of course based on logical and functional concepts. I repeat the question to myself and will try to answer it from my perspective.

Light, the act of letting light into spaces makes us human, confirms that we have a thinking brain. Thanks to Edison we can have artificial light, but it is an artifice, something false, very useful for lengthening the day and for many other purposes. We need natural light, having natural light in spaces should be a right also in working places.

Climate and hygiene; this is vital, during the day you use the common areas of the house more and of course you need natural cross ventilation if possible and good sunlight. I know that from an aesthetic point of view it is easier to lead with a façade that has more noble areas such as living rooms and bedrooms. What should have more value in terms of lighting? The production and greater collective use spaces or where you rest because you want more peace. Well, I'm probably wrong, but I think that many of us prefer peace to sleep and light during the day for home activities, and the architect will find a solution to create a façade with bathrooms and kitchens on the façade, which is what we studied for.

Dimensions. There are apartments out there of less than 35m2, I assure you, but I am not a judge to punish anyone. I can only speak as a person who lives there, not even as an architect. I think it is common sense to put storage spaces, for the doors to open completely and for there to be a small table next to the bed to put a glass and a book on, a little light would not be a bad idea. Why do we find it so difficult to size? Maybe it is because we do not know our own dimensions, I don’t know.

Let’s go to Japan, specifically to the “Nakagin Capsule Tower”; it really is a small space, but everything is there, even a window. Since I started studying architecture in every city I have lived in there are problems with housing. Let’s see, it is convenient for opportunistic developers that there is chaos, isn’t all this getting out of hand? Yes, we are very unhappy with one of our main rights.

                                                                                                          @yibby

“Nakagin Capsule Tower”. Japan. RIP in 2022



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