by Ida Antoniolli Clair, AIA State Architect, Chapter President
It is likely that many of us have been drawn to architecture as a profession because we have the perpetual soul of a child: drawn to colors and textures, whimsical creations, and an inquisitive spirit. Questions of “Why?” are incessant by smaller children on the road to discovery. Each response we provide is met with a quick response of “Why?” and evolves into a journey of discovery as we continue to satiate their thirst for knowledge. As they take us along on their journey, their awe in the revelations renews ours.
Like children, architects are perpetual learners– frequently asking “why?” When the question is posed to a client, the answers spark a creative design response. When the question is self-directed, it sets us on a journey to find an answer or solve the problem. We find that ultimately, we question everything.
By asking why questions and searching for the answer, we ensure that the user is always at the center of design decisions. Explaining “why” to the user develops trust, reinforces our standing as professionals and sets us apart as experts in our field. The “why” prevents us from making bad decisions, develops our own convictions, and prepares us to be responsive and responsible in our design decisions.
The theme for this year’s Experience Architecture public outreach event is “the why behind design.” It is a blend of my passion for education, which is foundational to the role of State Architect, and my passion for architecture. The theme challenges us to show the public why design is important: how it offers a way to solve a problem, change their perspective, offer a solution and more. Join together with the Chapter this October as we share the story of architecture with the greater Sacramento region to show the why behind design.