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How can architecture be a kind gesture to society?
Dirk PetersArchitect and director/owner at Barcode Architects in Rotterdam

How can architecture be a friendly gesture to society?

Question: does an architect succeed in consciously or unconsciously provoking emotions with his work? Is the architect able to make a real structural contribution to the quality of life in cities?

Dear reader, I sincerely hope that every concerned professional and colleague will answer these questions with a resounding 'YES'. Because, we cannot say 'NO': after all, we are facing immense challenges in the Netherlands. It will not surprise you and you know it: there is a lot of compaction, space is limited, there are plenty of wishes in the field of mobility and we also have a collective sustainability task.

So we have a great responsibility. It's really that simple.

And we should not take that lightly.

For example, more enrichment is needed in cities. I still see too many developments in isolation now. That creates a field of tension that we cannot afford. It doesn't make people happy. Therefore: can we raise our ambitions and create more cohesion?

I say, yes, we can.

Because, architecture is a gesture. It is a kind gesture, a favor to society. A building, for example, must never be its own lonely little postage stamp, but must strengthen the area where that building will be located. After all - more than ever - it is about connection. Okay, now I know that 'connection' has become a kind of catch-all term over the years but we - the architects - do have the task of stimulating social interaction. Our designs should be a counterpoint to the distressing anonymity and unwanted hardening of society. The indifference of and in the city we should want to fight.

Look, for example, at the area around NS Station Bijlmer ArenA. That is precisely one of those locations where anonymous urbanity is an eyesore. I only see big blocks there, with too many different colors. The image quality is not what it should be. I wonder - when I'm there - whether the human scale can still be experienced at that location.

Well, no way. That could be better. That could be better.

That's exactly where I take the bull by the horns. It is our tightened task. It is my call to you. Create (again) movement in society, especially in high-density cities. Try to do that at different scales. Develop a city with a story.

Because if architecture is to remain a gesture or a friendly gesture, then it is imperative to keep working with focus on more diversity in the spatial identity of our densification task. Only then will society become a little more beautiful step by step.

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