back to our regular programming…
Why Space Matters
The discourse on architecture has long been dominated by its tangible outputs—monuments, skyscrapers, and temples to progress. Yet, these artifacts obscure a deeper and more profound truth: architecture is merely the vessel, while space is the essence. Space is not inert; it is alive, a continuous negotiation of forces, flows, and interactions. It cannot be captured in blueprints or fixed within rigid boundaries. Instead, space exists as an ever-shifting field of possibilities where life unfolds.
Unlike the permanence often sought in architecture, space resists stasis. It is generative, contingent, and, above all, relational. From the Greek Agora—a space for political and social exchange—to Cedric Price’s visionary Fun Palace, the most impactful environments are those that prioritize adaptability and interaction over formal resolution. They allow for disruption, reinvention, and multiplicity.
As the twenty-first century reshapes the conditions of human existence through globalization, migration, and technological mediation, the imperative to reimagine space intensifies. It is no longer sufficient to conceive spaces as static or merely functional. Instead, we must engage with the underlying dynamics of space—its capacity to facilitate connections, mediate tensions, and amplify creativity.
The forthcoming manifesto emerges from a commitment to understanding space as a framework for freedom and possibility. It is a call to move beyond the aesthetics of architecture and engage with the politics, temporality, and fluidity of space itself. By shifting focus from object to field, we embrace the potential of space to adapt, provoke, and inspire in a world defined by continuous flux.
Each week I will focus on one entry beginning with:
1. Space is a question, Not an answer.
Stage 3 Architecture students from Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment are visiting the Tullos Play Area while discussing on the urban strategies for healthy placemaking.