As a designer, you are responsible for more than just the look and feel of the place!

Is Architecture neutral? What about urban spaces? Were our cities built based on the values of a patriarchal society?

Some people say space has no sex, race, or class. But when it comes to public areas, can you establish a certain relation based on traditional roles to which they belong?

When we project, we do it with a language that is considered our own.

Inevitably to create relevancy we have to consider speaking the language of the user, the language of his context and the language of it’s environment.

We do it with ideology, and through importance, we give to certain issues.

Spaces have a positive or negative influence depending on the value with which they are designed and thereby contribute to perpetuating roles in society or, on the contrary, help to generate new dynamics of empowerment and freedom.

How can design dignify and make people feel valued, respected, honored and seen? What is within our reach as Architects?

It is essential to incorporate identity variables such as age, gender diversity, or social class. By recognizing the different varieties of using time and space, more inclusive urban policies that tend to equal opportunities in accessing the right to the city are possible.

But also, we have to confront our values. These internal values we hold to are what we express into the world. There are several meanings to value, and they all tie to each other in an amazing way.

The most common meaning which comes to mind is the regard which we give to something as we estimate its importance, worth, deservedness and usefulness.

Now, this can be in relationship to the outside world so, for example, the way the world perceives our value or a value of an object or service.

But there is a more interesting and important aspect to value- which is extremely closely connected to the way we perceive our own personal value.

Your personal value has to do with your judgment of what is important in life and your principle or standard of behavior.

The two meanings to value are somehow different- but they are also connected as they correspond to two aspects of the same thing.

Finding the values for whom we design and clarifying them is one of the first steps towards good architecture.

What are the meanings attributed to spaces and how this influences not only the formation of individuals but also the development of future societies?

How can I use what I have to bring value to others? Can I serve others to help them enjoy life as a valuable experience? Share your own experience in our free Facebook group for Architects. We would love to hear your story!

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