manifeste d'aujourd'hui : proposed addendum to The Hannover Principles

im dem Wasser. unter dem Wasser.  auf dem Wasser. mit dem Wasser.

Luis Barragán Cuadra San Cristóbal, Los Clubes, Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico,1966–1968. View of the main courtyard and horse pool. Photo Armando Salas Portugal (Portugal) (Barragan)

Isn’t there something hidden at the heart of the anomaly that is lost on us once it is exhibited? – Rafael Moneo

Great Architecture grapples with the fragility of human life, society, and civilizations through formal constructions of power. Consequentially, Architecture ignites a sensuous connection to a higher power – family, community, god, politics, a city, a common humanity, a landlord, a corporation, a developer, technology, the land.

Phenomenological architecture, like Alvar Alto’s University of Jyväskylä and Luis Barragán’s Cuadra San Cristobál, induces a knowing sense of belonging and compassion through the built environment. Compassionate architecture cultivates self-empowerment. Architecture has the power to influence visitors through proprioceptive experiences and foster a sense of serenity, creativity, and connection. In this ahistoric time of overwhelming climate upheaval and anxiety – architecture answers the why, how, and what is next for humanity’s survival. Architecture of the present moment should act like a life raft for humanity and express the overwhelming gratitude and responsibility to the Earth. Architecture should spark wonder from visitors and catalyze connection to the web of life, because our survival depends on it.

Alvar (Aalto) University of Jyväskylä. Jyväskylä Finland Photo Nico Saieh (Saieh)

The things we make must not only rise from the ground but return to it, soil to soil, water to water, so everything that is received from the earth can be freely given back without causing harm to any living system. This is ecology. This is good design. It is of this we must now speak.

William (McDonough) 1994

Architecture stems from the biological drive to survive – to create a shelter and community. Through human evolution, architecture modulated into a cacophony of expression, emotion, and enlightenment. Modern design too heavily relies on mass manufactured products and global shipping. Reducing the overall carbon cost of products means using locally produced goods. The roots of architecture offer lessons to environmental challenges of the present and future. Local craftsmanship should always take preference to carbon manufactured goods from across the globe. Striving for local first enmeshes Architecture into a communal accomplishment.

Understanding the character of materials onsite and utilizing them in design gives deference to the land. Clay roof tiles made from local clay can often outlast the life of a building and be recycled after decommissioning. Architecture stems from the biological drive to survive – but alas, none can escape death, decay, and cycling of elements. Every action has an equal <- yet -> opposite reaction. (Newton)

RSpiral Jetty, Robert Smithson, Salt Lake City, Utah 1970

Modern American society suffers from overconsumption of technology while minimizing their presence in the community. Brain rot and post pandemic social decline only worsen climate apathy. In a dying world, the masses prefer political numbness to ecological systemic collapse. Architecture has the power to captivate people with the physical world in a poetic, concrete, and hopeful way. Architecture can offer respite from a burning world and invite critical thinking about the powers at hand.

Over 20 years ago, William McDonough wrote The Hannover Principles for the 1992 Earth Summit and enumerated the fundamentals for climate resilient architecture; still temperatures rise and more communities crumble. Maybe buildings are green but what about the design process? Architecture needs to more aggressively pursue regulations around Artificial Intelligence use in design. AI and data industries threaten to undo global efforts to combat climate change. Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in Architecture should be limited to predictive climate modeling and climate adaptive design.