And you thought architects just designed buildings…
The profession must adapt to become holistic problem-solvers amid economic, well-being and sustainability challenges.
Published by The Straits Times, 16 Nov 2024
Sean Chiao is Group CEO of SJ and a fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
This commentary is based on a speech he gave at the 2024 AIA International Conference in Hong Kong over Oct 23-27.
Visionary modernist Zaha Hadid is known in Singapore for her state-of-the-art Science Centre and the distinctively curvaceous d’Leedon condominium. She once said, “If you want an easy life, don’t be an architect.”
Low earnings, long hours, a lack of work-life balance, and high levels of stress have led to a decline in retention among young architects in many parts of the world. In Singapore, a 2021 survey by the Singapore Institute of Architects revealed that only 7 per cent of young graduates saw themselves staying in the profession long term.
The demands for sustainability, technological integration and human-centric design are greater than ever. Mounting pressure and dissatisfaction within the field are pushing architects to reconsider how they operate and advocate their value.
The result is that architecture is at a crossroads. Architects must now evolve from traditional designers into holistic problem-solvers who understand the complexities of the modern world and shape environments that meet both current and future needs.
How do they do this, and ensure the viability of the profession while withstanding economic pressures and meeting the growing demands of sustainability?
Rethinking the art and science
Having worked in built environment consultancies for over 30 years, delivering diverse urban and infrastructure projects globally, I have developed a fuller appreciation of the contributions that architects can make.
Their influence extends beyond aesthetics to shaping the evolution of cities, the way communities engage, and how societies transition towards sustainable futures.
As architect Philip Johnson, famous for his role in shaping the postmodern architectural movement, once pointed out: “All architects want to live beyond their deaths.” It’s the lasting impact of their designs that defines their legacy.
To ensure the profession’s future, architects must embrace this larger responsibility, securing their relevance and value. To do this, they must recognise their evolving role and the broader impact they can have.
Architecture must help the world
Architecture is not important unless it helps people, and this is especially true amid today’s sustainability focus. Architects are well positioned to lead the shift. The environmental impact of buildings is immense, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and resource depletion. By embracing sustainable design principles, architects can create buildings that are energy-efficient and reduce ecological footprints.
These principles include incorporating green building materials, energy-efficient systems, and design that connects to nature, to minimise environmental impact. Certifications, like the widely used rating system Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), help ensure that projects meet high sustainability standards.
Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 is an example of Singapore’s commitment to becoming a future-ready, sustainable city. The design incorporates regenerative technologies and practices befitting its Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy status.
Solar panels and smart building management systems, as well as district cooling combined with thermal energy storage, will be deployed. T5 will also be ready for sustainable aviation fuel, and for the provision of fixed ground power and cooling for aircraft parked at the gates.
Innovating within constraints
As urban populations continue to grow, architects face the challenge of creating liveable, functional spaces within increasingly dense cities. Vertical architecture, mixed-use developments, and adaptive reuse of existing structures are solutions for addressing urban space constraints. By using innovative approaches, architects can create efficient, multi-functional environments that enhance quality of life.
The 244,218 sq m Woodlands Health Campus (WHC) addresses Singapore’s hospital bed crunch by adding 1,400 acute and community beds.
Designed as more than just a healthcare facility, WHC engaged residents from the Woodlands neighbourhood in its planning to foster strong communal ties. The car-free, pedestrian-friendly campus features green spaces and a healing forest garden to create a calming environment for patients.
Its modular design ensures adaptability to sudden increases in patient numbers. Cutting-edge technology, including automated pharmacies and patient bedside terminals, enhances efficiency and patient care. Sustainability is a priority, with features including a fully automatic food-waste recycling system reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The Punggol Digital District is another example. Its design integrates smart city technology and sustainable urban planning to create an inspiring environment for work, learning and living. Its design promotes interaction with nature, with green spaces and walkways that encourage outdoor activity, while its smart systems optimise energy use and connectivity.
Technology provides measurable means
Radical thinker Cedric Price once asked: “Technology is the answer, but what was the question?”
The architecture, engineering and construction industry is one of the least digitalised, with many processes still relying heavily on manual or semi-automated tasks. Architects juggle software platforms like computer-aided design, Rhino and building information modelling (BIM), which are unintegrated and time-consuming, hindering their ability to focus on creative problem-solving.
Architects must now fully embrace technological advancements to improve efficiency and redefine the way they approach design. Established solutions like BIM are just the start. Platforms that promote collaboration, such as Lendlease’s Podium for Development, connect all stakeholders, enhancing productivity and sustainability across the construction life cycle.
AI and machine learning tools offer exciting possibilities. From automating routine tasks to optimising complex design decisions, these technologies help architects deliver more energy-efficient and resilient designs.
Designing for the anxious generation
The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the importance of designing buildings that promote health and well-being. Architects now have the opportunity to rethink how spaces can be designed to achieve this. Incorporating nature-friendly design and using non-toxic materials can significantly improve indoor air quality and enhance occupant health.
The focus on well-being goes beyond individual buildings to the broader urban landscape.
The Anxious Generation, The New York Times bestseller by Dr Jonathan Haidt, struck a chord globally because it sheds light on a crisis we are all a part of: The growing spiritual and social isolation brought on by the pervasive presence of smartphones. The “phone-based life”, as Dr Haidt calls it, robs people, especially younger generations, of essential real-world experiences that are needed for emotional and social growth. It’s contributing to a rise in mental health struggles.
However, by creating public spaces that encourage community interaction and physical activity, architects can contribute to healthier, more vibrant communities. The spaces they create can either contribute to isolation, or provide a remedy.
Urban spaces devoid of areas for interaction and play amplify the very issues we are fighting. On the other hand, environments designed to bring people together, encourage outdoor activity and foster unstructured play, such as walkable neighbourhoods and green spaces, are antidotes to disconnected lifestyles.
As architects rise to the challenges that have emerged, they have the potential to re define the built environment and how we live and interact with it. By embracing their broader role and integrating sustainability, technology and well-being into their designs, architects will ensure that their work remains relevant and impactful for generations to come.
