It seems Mexico is
stepping ahead in terms of designing for function instead of form. Whilst this
piece of architecture is in fact aesthetically pleasing, its aesthetics are not
the most important factor. This design addresses space, light and privacy
whilst conforming to regulations and keeping within the plot specified. What
is does not do, is begin its design based upon the houses around it, or a
specific style. It looks at the site, the needs of the client and the problem,
starting the design from scratch to make it unique to its site and also the
client.
English Architecture
is beginning to get boring. Why do we still build the same traditional brick
houses when technology has evolved far beyond that? You would not buy an old
computer when, for the same price you could have a far more advanced one.
Whilst my research is limited my understanding is this: We build based on the
needs of the developer – maximisation of profit per acre of land. They want as
many houses as possible on the plot of land they have bought which they can
then sell or rent – the more houses the more money. They are not going to live
in these houses, so light and spatial qualities are not important. Neither is
the quality of the building, cheap to build, more profit at the end.
Sustainable aspects are of course over looked; the resident will pay for the energy
bills. If the developer wanted to use more expensive materials that are
sustainable they would not gain any rewards. So what is the point? You can’t
blame the developer, they are businessmen and business is exactly what they are
doing. So how do we make this change? How do we encourage design for the resident and the
environment not for the developer and the profit?
