Architecture that's Built to Last.
Architecture aims at eternity. —Christopher Wren
The best architecture around us has come from people with a long-term vision: architects who build for permanence and relevance.
These architects are typically consumed by their craft.
Take Robert AM Stern, for example. He wakes up thinking about architecture, goes to bed thinking of architecture, and he can't imagine not being an architect; it's all he's ever known. For him, his love for architecture started very early on.
He grew up in New York, in Brooklyn. On Saturday mornings, he would go to places like Wall Street when no one else was there and explore the buildings. He felt like those buildings were his friends.
This passion is also the reason why he's managed to create some of the most beautiful buildings in New York, contributing significantly to New York's continued architectural legacy.
In the past, architects aimed to create buildings that would stand the test of time, both in their physical structure and in the way they made people feel. They wanted their work to be appreciated not just by people in the present, but by future generations as well.
To achieve this, they paid close attention to every aspect of the design process, from the materials they chose to the smallest details of the building's construction. They understood that architecture has the power to shape our lives and our perspectives, and they took this responsibility seriously.
They were committed to creating timeless beauty.
Today, things have changed. Our society values speed, cost, and convenience over quality and beauty. This has led to a culture of disposability and planned obsolescence: companies make things that won't last very long on purpose, so that people have to buy new ones more often.
It's all about getting people to spend more money by making them feel like they need to keep up with the latest trends.
The hope is that we can return to designing with a focus on the long term. And if you choose to do so, keep in mind that people may try to rush you, but it's important to remember that lasting beauty takes time and patience. Buildings that are crafted with care and thoughtfulness will outlast those that were hastily constructed.
And remember, you can't make a long-term deal with short-term thinkers. If someone is in a hurry, it's best to let them work with others who share their mindset.
And you can focus on working with those who appreciate quality, beauty, and longevity in design.
Architecture is not an art of the moment, but an art of duration. - John Ruskin