Everyday architecture : developing a contemporary authenticity

Abstract

A very common position for students and practitioners of architecture to take is to condemn the everyday built environment; to stand and reject the "ugly and banal", the "big box" commercial spaces, the ubiquitous fast food franchises and "cookie cutter" neighborhoods.The everyday built environment is seen as the proliferation of placelessness, an inauthentic charade to disguise the meaninglessness of contemporary life. However, it is the opposite that is true, everyday environments are potentially the most authentic and meaningful built form.Contrary to the aforementioned paradigm, architects are truly responsible for the proliferation of placelessness, creating meaningless and image-driven buildings that are justified only by the abstract, obtuse and arbitrary concepts of intended meanings.Everyday environments structure life and provide a background upon which to live. It connects to the public in a way that formal architecture cannot, it is understandable and meaningful. Everyday environments are not the image, self-expression and metaphor-driven buildings that characterize the architectural masturbation of trained professionals.Everyday environments are potentially the most authentic built form if they would simply become what they are prescribed to be. These environments are functional, programmatic and above all, economic. The environments that regularly receive extensive criticism, should be employed as a model for design. Everyday environments deserve only one complaint. Everyday environments are unsuccessful because they exist as the background of life, but yet they are trying to capture attention.The following development of the dichotomy of image and authenticity and everyday environments and architecture is an attempt to begin to develop a new perspective and a new way of understanding the constructs of contemporary society. The discussion will not resolve any broad sweeping world problems, it will not resolve even an isolated or localized problem, but it is an attempt to bring about an awareness and questioning to issues that are relevant and critical in the cultural development of today's society.This is a discussion of what are thought to be identified problems with contemporary culture, it will not resolve anything. The purpose is to make people realize that their is a problem in today's consumer culture and built environments. Presently, the most frightening contemporary problem is that people do not know their is one. This is an attempt to induce awareness.