Hi,
The blog is now published on www.studiosantalla.com.
I hope you continue to follow it.
Best,
Ernesto
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Architectural Pantheon
I
am a one word professional: architect, so the inevitable cocktail party
question has a simple answer. Over the years, my list of professional interests
has expanded. I've done work in graphic design, photography, furniture design,
exhibit and event design, product design and textile design. Add writing to
this mix and now you know what I've been doing for almost thirty years.
That
for all this time I've used the one word expletive is primarily because it's
accurate, mixed in with a healthy dose of snobbery. Architecture is one of the classical fine arts, an ancient and noble profession, which somehow confers the
self-imparted right to turn one’s nose sharply up at other applied arts, the likes
of those I also practice. I think the attitude starts with the educational
process.
I
pursued a curriculum whereby I was immersed in the study of Architecture, first
at the University of Puerto Rico and then at Cornell University. My education
followed the model set by the Bauhaus School at the turn of the 20th century, the
epicenter of which was the Design studio where we spent a dozen of so hours week
with our Studio critics and innumerable evenings and weekends. Well before
the term became popular, the Studio was 24/7.
Professors
doubled as gatekeepers to the Pantheon of Architects, where openings were
scarce and competition to enter fierce. I was in awe of most of them and
loathed the rest, even if it's from the latter that I likely learned the most.
Attrition was high and even the most gifted had to work hard. Time after time I
was required to present my work and be subject to scathing remarks of the
Professors and guest critics up to the day I finished my thesis project and was
told: "you passed."
Diploma
in hand I moved to Washington, DC and started working. What I soon found out is
I got to start out all over again and pay a new set of dues. Three years
later I took the Architectural Registration Exam and fortunately I got
through all nine parts and thirty-six hours of examination the first time
around.
That
other areas of design are not held to the fire to the same extent as architects contributes to the conceit of being above the rest. In the end, my lot misses out on
much and perpetrates the notion we are unapproachable and intimidating, much to the profession’s detriment. I wonder if we are in part to
blame we are underpaid and underused.
Because
of my areas of involvement, I’ve acquired another handful of professional descriptors:
graphic designer, photographer, interior designer, event designer and
occasionally, decorator. I’m fine with all of them if it means I get to do what
I want, which is one of the reasons I founded Studio Santalla in 2001. That the
office provides all of these services in tandem is what sets us apart from most
other firms.
I’m
not too worried about being excused from the Architectural Pantheon because I
comply with the requirements to keep my membership and I’m called a snob often
enough.
Now a catholic church, the Pantheon, or temple to all Gods, built in Rome in 126 AD
What I am concerned about is how to fill the breach between public perception that design professionals are a luxury and the reality that qualified design professionals are needed more than ever to shape the built environment.
Comments encouraged.
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Studio Santalla won a "Best Of Houzz 2013 award
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