In Chile, a middle-class family may inhabit a house of around 80 square meters, whereas a low-income family might be lucky enough to inhabit 40 square meters. They can’t afford a large “good” house, and are henceforth often left with smaller homes or building blocks; but why not give them half a “good” house, instead of a finished small house? In the 1970s a professor by the name John F.C. Turner, teaching at a new masters program at MIT called “Urban Settlement Design In Developing Countries”, developed an idea surrounding the concept that people can build for themselves. 99% Invisible has covered a story, produced by Sam Greenspan, on how this idea has evolved, and what it has turned into: Half A House.
Turner’s premise was that housing should be conceived of as an on-going project. This eventually turned into incremental building, inspiring architect and incremental housing expert, George Gattoni. Gattoni was attempting to solve the problem of urban migration, resulting in squatting and huge housing deficits. Gattoni’s struggle laid in making low-income houses affordable, and incremental building was the answer. He has been involved in spreading incremental building projects all over the world, raising awareness of its existence in the architectural world.
Elemental, led by Alejandro Aravena, evolved this idea when commissioned to draw up a new master plan for Constitución, Chile, after it was hit by an earthquake of magnitude 8.8; the second largest in the world during the last 50 years, killing over 500 people and destroying 80% of the buildings in the city. Elemental had already experimented with unfinished low-income houses in Iquique, Chile, which were to be built at $7,500 per unit, for 100 families. The future inhabitants threatened even the proposal of a housing block with a hunger strike, but building individual houses would simply cost too much. Instead, Elemental provided the residents with just enough to meet the Chilean legal requirements for low-income housing, allowing them to expand the rest.
In Constitución, the plans for Villa Verde, an entire area populated by two-storey half houses, the visual design of the buildings are different, but the concept is the same; half of the houses are identical and the other halves are completely unique. The first floor of the finished half is made up of unfinished concrete floors, and the second is covered in unfinished plywood. There is only one sink in the kitchen, with no other appliances, but the house is cheap, practical and well insulated. Everything that families wouldn’t have an easy time building alone, such as concrete foundations, plumbing, and electricity, has been finished for them. The Chilean government pays for roads, drainage, sewage, garbage collection, busses and any other necessary infrastructure, to focus on building a good community. Residents just have to provide their time, labor and any extra materials.
Residents can take part in building workshops facilitated by Elemental, and every house comes with a manual covering possible ways to expand using standard building materials, avoiding the need for anyone to buy expensive custom resources. The vision is that residents end up with a much more pleasant house than what they could have built completely on their own or received from ordinary state funding. Juan Ignacio Cerda, one of Elemental’s principal architects, said that even if money were not an issue, the firm would build the same homes. Any extra funding would go into improving the surrounding space and uplifting the neighborhood, embodying the firm’s social approach.
Born from the scarcity of resources in Chile, Elemental has produced low-income houses that are won’t be destroyed in an earthquake or flood, and feel safe for the people who live there. Of course, not everyone is so enthusiastic about building their own house, and some are not so satisfied with Elemental’s contractors, but on the whole, the concept seems to be succeeding in using “scarcity as a tool”. This has also been recognized by the architectural community; Alejandro Aravena won the Pritzker Prize in 2016, for epitomizing “the revival of a more socially engaged architect…fighting for a better urban environment for all.” Contrary to what our intuition may tell us, the podcast ends by summarizing that “building half a house might just be the best way to make a community whole.” Oddly enough, this appears to be true.
To listen to the podcast on Half A House, visit 99% Invisible, here.
Chicago – Illinois – USA (by Sergey Galyonkin)
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This article was originally published by Archipreneur as “Reasons Why Architects Can Make Great Developers (or not?).”
Today, a majority of architects work solely on the design end of the development process. It is common knowledge that the net value of architectural services in a projects’ total value amounts to a very small percentage (it’s usually in single digits), which puts architects near the bottom of the financial structure in the AEC industry.
Stuck between developers, clients, contractors, and subcontractors, architects are usually in a role that implies great responsibility but proportionally low compensation for it. When we add to that the grievance of not having full control of a project, it becomes clear as to why an increasing number of architects either transition to real estate development or transform their design offices into design-builds.
Though still in its infancy, this transition seems indicative of an emancipatory trend that’s taking place, where architects take matters into their own hands and thus claim their rightful position within the industry.
However, with this newfound ambition comes a new set of challenges. Developing a project from drawing board to building site requires business skills that are not taught in architecture schools. Can architects bridge this gap and compete with seasoned developers? Are there advantages to being a designer when it comes to the nitty-gritty of actually building a project?
Let’s take a look the major pros and cons of architects working as developers.
#1 – Architects Understand the Process of Building
As architects come to learn about the different aspects of project development in the course of their education and throughout their career in the industry, most know what it takes to design and construct a building. They often have project management experience and understand the process of site and project analysis, construction techniques, acquiring building permits and controlling budgets.
This is particularly the case in smaller offices where project managers are often required to perform various roles, from leading the project team and administering construction contracts, through negotiating with clients and contractors, to scheduling and monitoring processes. Due to this versatility in their experience, architects can make sure that construction is completed on schedule and under budget.
In addition to these general skills and competencies, architects often become experts in various niches. Over the course of their careers, many practicing architects specialize in specific typologies, which can be a huge advantage when going into development in these specific areas.
#2 – Great Design Increases Market Value
The expertise that architects bring to the table can have a significant impact on the financial bottom line of a project. For example, sustainable design features can significantly increase the value of a property. Or, as Tyler Stonebreaker puts it in his interview on Archipreneur Insights: “At the end of the day, the market is placing the highest premium on things that are unique and special.”
People are becoming increasingly interested in energy efficient or high performance properties, which is why green design certification programs like LEED and NGBS can raise the selling price of a house. In addition to sustainability, experienced architects also know how to use designs to create quality spaces on limited budgets.
They can also reconcile profitmaking with a broader strategy for social change and an increased quality of life over a longer period of time. Architects that are working as property developers are more likely to consider innovative and creative solutions; solutions that ordinary developers might either overlook or reject.
#3 – Architects Know How Cities Work
Architects are trained to think in terms of place making instead of creating objects that are detached from their surroundings. An architect-developer is trained to consider how a project might sit within and relate to its context, ensuring long-term benefits for themselves, their clients and the relevant neighborhoods. Architects are taught to understand urbanism and recognize areas with development potential. They may, for example, see real opportunity in a vacant lot that doesn’t seem to offer any value to the untrained eye.
For example, San Diego-based architect-developer Jonathan Segal built many of his residential projects as suburban infill developments located on undesirable and oddly shaped lots. Over the years, Jonathan has created a profitable business and accumulated a wealth of architectural accolades in this area of his business.
#1 – Lack of Business Experience
Many architects know how to design, draw, write, interpret specifications and monitor construction processes, but know little about real estate finances, viable cash flow models, and how to understand a project from a business perspective. Those working in large architectural firms are restricted to the drawing board, receiving little on-the-job training when it comes to the particulars of business.
In addition to a general lack of business skills, most architects don’t know about the financial and business structures that developing properties entail. Understanding real estate finance and the metrics used to calculate and rate a development, along with the importance of overhead factors, are just as important as understanding building codes, zoning regulations and program. The majority of architects have yet to learn that cost is a principal parameter for their designs.
#2 – Getting Caught up in Design
With all their knowledge about the different aspects of getting a project built, architects are often stuck in a closed mindset, focused solely on design. They get overexcited about the design possibilities, and fail to acknowledge the importance of the business side of project development. There is still a general disregard for the financial part of building in architecture schools.
This attitude often continues into architects’ careers, as most continue to work solely as designers. Once they get into developing their own projects, they are forced to become more flexible and let various technical, logistical and financial factors inform their design decisions. This is often a hard pill to swallow for an architect.
#3 – Not Being Familiar with Market Trends
Shifts in market demand determine the properties that will be the most profitable to build. In order to know whether to focus on apartments, condos, mid-rise, mixed-use buildings, or other typologies, seasoned developers read the market and set about targeting the right demographic. There is a significant difference in returns between Build to Rent and Build for Sale.
The key to deciding on the type of structure to build – and where – is in accurately predicting if the asset will either increase or decrease in value over time. Developers also need to know how to read real estate trends and cycles to predict the best time for development, buying and selling. This can be a huge challenge for architects with no experience in property development.
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Combining skills ranging from design to finance and marketing is definitely a daunting task. Still, an increasing number of architecture firms are broadening their reach to include designing, developing and even constructing their own projects. Architecture firms like SHoP, Alloy, BRH Architects, and EM2N Architects are proving that it is possible to strike a balance between good designs and making a profit.
You’re reading The 5 Best Podcasts on Empathy, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
Be a storyteller. Your own story, that is. If we want to understand the idea of empathy and compassion toward others, we must first begin with ourselves. Understanding our own story is a strength that is often overlooked. However, in the philosophies that explain compassion and empathy, these are powerful factors in our emotional intelligence. They allow us to genuinely share vulnerabilities, which in turn can free others to share their own.
Empathy is described as the ability ‘to suffer with’ and to share the pain of others so that their distress becomes our own. However, there are various thoughts on this definition that many can confuse as true empathy. Excusing dangerous behaviors toward you, is projection (or ‘idiot compassion’) and not empathy, as one is assuming these behaviors are simply there because they are acting out of helplessness. Real empathy does not put us in harm’s way, so be aware if someone is not noticing our own anxiety but only theirs. Here are 5 podcasts that have helped to shed some light on what it means to be an empathetic person:
1.To teach empathy accurately we must lead by example. By taking personal responsibility for ourselves in the hope for empathy, we can create a larger self worth and self-understanding. This podcast focuses on shaping a social purpose culture and how empathy and compassion are two of the most potent emotional agents needed for this change.
2.This podcast urges us to be kind to yourself and accept your faults. She is an expert on the concept of self-compassion. Kristin Neff supposes that “Imperfection is part of the shared human experience”, suggesting that this is what binds us, and we are not alone in our suffering.
3.Radiolab has a podcast here that has an interesting take on empathy, a lesson from an entomologist in not allowing emotions to overrun objectivity. The idea is to allow the organism to be what it is, and to have respect for their own sense of self. This is a deeper understanding of empathy.
4.This podcast from NPR, posits the idea of quantum entanglement, which is the thought that two things (atoms) that exist in space at their own rate, can feel the same thing if they connect (entanglement). An interesting scientific take on how we as humans continue to be entangled in the natural world.
5.This podcast with Dr. Dan Siegel focuses on his term ‘mind sight’, which can be activated when you develop a perceptive stream. Living with only physical sight and not with the ‘mind sight’ can be a disservice to our development of empathy and compassion. He believes that we as humans have an interior mental life that is very important and an empathic comment can go a long way in improving this for others and ourselves.
Emotional responsibility is about honesty and vulnerability, which can create a safety net for all those you have relationships with as well as opening one up to being a more conscious listener toward others. A deeper emotional connection is necessary for that to take place, one where true empathy can exist. Banishing loneliness and experiencing a wider, deeper life are just a few of the outcomes of the truly empathetic.
Do you read a great blog about empathy that’s not on the list? Leave a comment on FB!
Larissa Gomes is a breast cancer survivor and single mom to her spirited baby boy! Originally from Toronto turned Angeleno, she has worked in roles from writer, actor and producer for well over a decade. In that time, she’s developed concepts, film and television screenplays, short stories, along with freelance articles, blogging and editing work.
You’ve read The 5 Best Podcasts on Empathy, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
Sig Nordal 