Malgorzata TOMCZAK
On the condition of the architectural profession
We are living in a time of great transformations, reevaluation of old systems and paradigm shifts. We don't quite know yet how to design a new better world, we only know that the old one has fallen into ruin before our eyes. It crumbled like a house of cards. The pandemic reality has been compounded by Russia's aggression against our eastern neighbor, Ukraine, which obviously has a huge impact on the lives of the people living there, but also on the economic systems of the whole world, energy policy and the values we used to live by.
What - in such a context - is the economic, social, political, legal and psychological framework for the architectural profession in Poland? We asked architects this question to find out if and how the rules of practicing architecture in Poland are changing, and how this affects their condition. They often pointed to various pathologies, such as long working hours, low rates for projects, free concepts that spoil the habits of investors and the market as a whole, lack of predictability of the design and development process, uncertainty related to the liquidity of studios, bad local plans that prevent qualitative implementation of investments, pressure to squeeze PUM. These are just some of them. They are an everyday reality of architectural practice and need to be changed!
However, the work ethos is changing - with the passing of the old world order, we are saying goodbye to the demiurge architect, the great one-man creator of architectural icons and visionary of space. In its place, we are building an ethos of collaboration and sensibilities and concerns expressed in solidarity. The result of this shift is becoming inclusive and inclusive spaces, as Joanna Erbel points out in her text.
We tentatively look for hope in this.
On behalf of the Editor, Publisher and the entire A&B team
we would like to wish our Readers, Contributors, Neighbors, Friends and their Families
A HEALTHY, HAPPY and FREE Easter.
