Towards a more ethical platform for the future of architecture
How can a platform facilitate for more ethical architecture?
The resurfacing argument on the architect’s role to be agents for socially ethical practice in their profession is a constant debate. RIBA’s sets out three principles of professional conduct and practice that all members are required to adhere to:
Principle 1: Integrity
Members shall act with honesty and integrity at all times.
Principle 2: Competence
In the performance of their work Members shall act competently, conscientiously and responsibly. Members must be able to provide the knowledge, the ability and the financial and technical resources appropriate for their work.
Principle 3: Relationships
Members shall respect the relevant rights and interests of others.
However, these codes are currently being reviewed and RIBA is updating its principles, highlighting the significant changes in recent years of the architects role.
Out of all the players in the built environment industry from construction management to technicians; it is always the architects that are held accountable when something goes wrong in the project. As Owen Hopkins’ article on Architectural Review puts it:
While the activities of developers are allowed to be led by the market (and certain regulatory parameters, of course) architects are somehow seen to be different, subject to a quite different set of standards of ‘morality’, the ‘public interest’ and of ‘ethics’. In short, architecture is seen as ‘exceptional’.
The ‘exceptionalism’ of the architectural profession goes beyond the clients brief because it always extends their responsibility to be held to a greater morally, socially and environmentally conscious behavior. However, technology and new research are now giving new dimension and scale to our ethical responsibility and pave the way for new approaches we can take forward.
One of these approaches that has been realised is moving towards a platform based strategy. During a week of intensive discussion on the future of the architectural profession that is increasingly precarious, outsourced, and unethical. Radical Practice Studio (part of MA Architecture Course at the Royal College Art) on 18th-22nd March brought together unconventional practices and movements to debate and evaluate where the industry is heading and bring students into the conversation as we are the future and bearers of decisions which are made now.
Collectively, myself and 2 other students came together to create — Platform Practice which is a networked collective of architects, designers, and building professionals connected through a shared set of values and beliefs. Unlike a typical practice who regulate from office, Platform Practice is online-based and therefore dismantles traditional regulations that arise in an office environment regarding hierarchy and decision-making. We aim to distribute to responsibilities to all parties. Anyone can post an idea for a project (either as a designer or not) and then crowd-source using the platform to generate enough money to pay the designer. The design would then be uploaded to the website and contribute to our desired ecosystem of sharing and networking.
From our first point in our manifesto at Platform Practice - we aim to empower designers and provide open source architectural designs for people who normally wouldn’t be able to afford architectural services. The designs are uploaded and codified to allow for adaptability and alterations. The consumer can modify the model within the website, the website generates bespoke CAD files and a manual based on their alterations. The designer inputs an itinerary of materials and tools — an algorithm then connects this to a supplier. The designer is paid from the websites advertising and by a commission for putting consumers in touch with second-hand materials, shared tools and fabrication team.
However, architects to the website should have legal and ethical responsibility that is stated on ARB’s The Architect’s Code — Standard of Professional Conduct and Practice in January 2017. Particularly, looking at Standard 5 which is Considering the wider impact of your work / 5.1: Where appropriate, you should advise your client how best to conserve and enhance the quality of the environment and its natural resources. While the concern for the environment is relevant, the code completely misses the social obligation that architects need to uphold beyond the clients brief.
Platform Practice believes that this shouldn’t only be the responsibility of the architect but very much should be the ethical credibility of everyone involved. Also to be aware and be particular about ethically sourced materials which are core to Platform Practice missions, to allow for better quality of equipment and materials. Constant visitations should be put in place to visit sites directly to check and materials, tools, and their usefulness.
Many companies, especially in London, are now moving away from the office confinement. For example, small companies like Red Deer, based in East London, let go of the warehouse and instead embraced a shared space and a practice manager. “Streamlining the business in this way was an important development for the practice, enabling it to be more sustainable, dynamic and client-focused. The freedom gained through this agility complements their eclectic and self-testing style of work (they deliberately have no manifesto) and is integral to their ethics.”
Even in a small practice, the leadership style sets the context and tone of the business. Equal treatment in the workplace is always high on the Red Deer agenda, with the emphasis being on the notion of ‘apprenticeship’ and leading from the side (rather than the front), sharing ownership of a project with architectural staff and encouraging them to test themselves. This dynamic has been a great asset to the business, as staff have invariably become more committed to a project’s — and the practice’s — success.
In comparison, Platform Practice uses its website as a place where architects can upload their ‘socially useful’ designs. The designs are uploaded and codified to allow for adaptability and alterations. The designer is paid from the websites advertising and by a commission for putting consumers in touch with second-hand contacts. Its a platform to openly and freely disseminate ‘socially useful’ architectural and spatial designs. These ‘socially useful’ designs is an important aspect of our platform, which is very much tied to the ethical responsibilities of a designer and contributor to the platform. They have to be conscious of the quality and usefulness of the items they’re exchanging.
Every new member signs a Liability Waiver before subscribing, to acknowledge the risks. The company removes legal liability. Similar to the Library of Things where communities can contribute to having centralized for borrowing things such as tools, cleaning equipment and other items that can be shared and reused. Their mission is to raise:
£1 million from social investors committed to our mission to make borrowing better than buying. This will fund our tech development and help us grow the movement across London and beyond.
Another important aspect of Practice Platform is the page where anyone can post an idea for a project (either as a designer or not) and then crowd source using the platform where others can contribute to generating the design fee. The ability to facilitate community engagement with architects and collaborative designs with locals or vice versa is very much a crucial part of the design process which is ethical to producing buildings and spaces that meet the needs and future potential of the end user. Ultimately, moving towards a platform based practice, the shift in responsibility is not directly targeted at designers and architects. Platform Practice is creating a new way where technology (coding) can allow for a better system of networking, sharing and ethical way of distributing responsibilities.
