TO DESIGN, TO WRITE

To architect or not to architect, that is the question.

In the fast-developing days of technology, it is possible for one to grasp
knowledge and gain information on practically everything their mind
sets upon. If one wishes to be aware of the happenings around them, the
media is always at aid; keeping people updated on the latest political
scenarios, the latest smart phone in town or even on the latest movie
previews. Over the years, journalism and media have helped us to learn,
evolve, cooperate, modernize, critic and curate in respect to the on
goings of the world.
Journalism is concerned with the dissemination of the news and views of
the society through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, films,
advertising etc. On a more specific note, architectural journalism,
includes the study and documentation of the latest works of architecture
by appreciation or criticizing the same in respect with the emerging
trends of the industry, structural maneuverability, construction
techniques and building materials. It is a profession that helps realize a
building through strong linguistics, logics and technicalities of
architectural knowledge and informatics. It helps the architect portray
their sentiments and thoughts for the common man to understood even
without knowing the architectural complexities of their design. As said
by Guy Debord, “ideas improve, but the meaning of words participates
in the improvement”
Ever since the web had gone mainstream in 1993, the architecture world
has seen an influx of knowledge and information that was earlier not
within the reach of all. Students and practicing architects alike have been
able to come up with new and various theories and ideas by learning
from the modern and latest architecture marvels. They have access to
information in the matter of a few seconds. They also learn from the
mistakes of others; either by omitting them or working to solve the
problem all together. It is also of utmost importance that they stay
updated upon this genre; for what is news today, is history tomorrow.
Apurva Bose, one of the leading architectural journalist in India says,
“Architecture is the most public, but least discussed of the arts and
arguably also the least understood. For those of us who write about the
field, it poses a challenge to explore how architectural forms both
influence and are influenced by the larger culture.” It can be said that
journalism leads to a never-ending learning process. It is the cycle of
seeing, reading, grasping and understanding. And when one chooses to
take up architectural journalism, he must keep in mind that their words
are monitored and permeated by the masses, irrespective of their
intellectual interests. Therefore, it can be safely said that, journalism
even though is not directly related to architecture, can work wonders to
widen the perspective and stand as a form of representation to the
architectural world.
Journalism as a field, unlike various other professions, is under the
scrutiny of all, irrespective of their age, sex, nationality, religion,
culture, beliefs, class, educational qualifications etc. it is science to the
masses. It is what advances the society making them prepared for the
future generation. It is what connects the leaders to the commons. It is
what provides the essential understanding among the people. It
maintains peace and prevents chaos. As said by writer, Erik Qualman “it
forces necessary change”. Therefore, a journalist is under constant
pressure with the responsibility to educate the people.
When journalism delves into the likes of architecture, it opens up a
platform that is open to all. An example can be given from the
development and construction of Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra
Pradesh. In the recent times, precisely for about 3 years, the people of
our country have been looking forward to and have been staying updated
on the on goings of the construction of the capital. The chief minister of
Andhra Pradesh, Mr. N.Chandrababu Naidu has shown his views and
dreams to the people of a futuristic smart and green city that is self-
sufficient and self-dependent. The ardent followers of politics and socio
economics have thereby shown great interest in the project and involved
themselves with learning the new techniques, and planning’s that the
chief minister intends to use for the development of the same,
consequently even become well acquainted with architectural
technicalities. Thus, it can be said that journalist have succeeded to
intrigue, educate and involve the masses in the public development
project. Likewise, this also shows that architectural journalism need not
be practiced only by architects. It as an open field, which when poised
and optimized can lead to the awareness of the importance of
architecture in the non-architecture world as well.
When non-architects practice architectural journalism. Their style of
writing remains the same, but their content alters. They write to appeal
to the masses and thereby provoke easy understanding for them. It can
be an opinionated and debatable issue that non-architects may be unfit
for this field. However, it cannot be omitted that at the end of the day,
architectural journalism is not only a novelty for expressing design and
technicalities of a building but also intuits conversation between the
designer and the masses. Thus, a non-architect can or may work wonders
to appeal to the building. The (in)famous architect Adolf Loos has said
that “Architecture arouses sentiments in man. The architect’s task
therefore, is to make those sentiments more precise”. An architect can do
this himself, or when required may take aid of others.