Articles Recognitions

Can we change the world?

When we design, we leave our mark on lives, cities, and the world. Designing is always about transformation – starting from something that could be a desire, a wish, a piece of land with its constraints, or even an existing structure. Can we then say that architects create the world? Do they have the tools to change it? As we wrap up this series during our anniversary month, we invite the younger members of our studio to reflect on this topic. Bruna Cardo Duarte, Diogo Ruivo, Joana Barros, and Mariana Simões highlight some of the ways architecture can (and should) change the world.

 

Can we change the world?

As architects, we have the power to change the world, and with that comes the responsibility to do it the right way. Making the world a better home for everyone is both a responsibility and an opportunity. We design homes, neighborhoods, cities, and create environments that will become part of everyone's lives. This must be done carefully! However, to speak about architecture as something that allows us to transform and change our world, we must also address issues that go beyond design. As architects, we are always seeking solutions—it’s part of our profession and carries over into our daily lives. What is clear is that architecture can be used as a way to solve problems that go beyond the project—social, economic, or environmental issues. If we keep this in mind while designing, we can ensure that the change we make in the world is truly positive and makes it better for everyone. (Mariana Castro Simões)

We change the world because we intervene in it, and that intervention endures over time. It’s important to remember that the lifespan of a building is much longer than the lifespan of its designer. We’re always designing for a future we don’t know. We can't predict what a building will become in 50 or 100 years, but we can ensure its adaptability, whether through its structure, the materials we use, or the way the spaces are shaped. Adaptability is closely tied to sustainability, a crucial topic in architecture today. I’m not sure if we should continue building endlessly—we should think about how what we design today will serve future generations. This approach emphasizes rehabilitation and adaptation, preserving cultural heritage and reducing the economic and environmental impacts of construction. This idea of adaptability also places some responsibility on the people who will inhabit these spaces. When we have a say over a space, we form a relationship with it, which leads us to care for and preserve it. (Bruna Cardo Duarte)

As architects, we definitely change the world. Every time we design, we are shaping what this world can become in the future. It’s not a question of whether we can change it—we do that, better or worse, every day. It’s about knowing how to do it, about having the tools to ensure that our impact on the environment is positive, and that the changes we initiate make the world fairer and more sustainable. Architecture should always have a social component and consider the longevity and adaptability that Bruna mentioned. When we design a building, we need to consider that it will have multiple lives and remain a part of the city long after we’re gone. This theme of longevity and adaptability is closely linked to social issues. Many projects address this aspect, where architects act as mediators for a group of people with limited resources. They can’t provide everything at once because of cost constraints, but what they offer is a kind of blank canvas—a space where people can gradually build their lives. If we can strip architecture down to its essentials, we might contribute to a society that develops itself, rather than being shaped by how architects think. I am an architect, but I believe this is an interesting approach! (Joana Barros)

As architects, we change the world every day. One of the key factors for creating a paradigm shift through architecture is recognizing the responsibility we have to shape the world. In my view, especially now that the environmental impact of our profession is undeniable, it’s important to adopt a sustainability-centered approach. I would say that this concern should arise from the very first moment, when we assess the site we’re designing for. The terrain should dictate the choice of materials, which should be local and have a smaller ecological footprint, but also the shape of the project and its relationship with the exterior and nature. We hear more and more about bringing nature into our designs, and I believe this is a crucial gesture that has clear effects on multiple scales. On a smaller scale—on facades, rooftops, or through the inclusion of courtyards—but also on an urban scale, by bringing green elements into our squares and avenues. Creating more biodiverse cities and environments is certainly a way to make the world better and improve everyone’s quality of life. (Diogo Ruivo)

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Bruna Cardo Duarte, Architect
Diogo Ruivo, Architect
Joana Barros, Architect
Mariana Castro Simões, Architect

When we design, we leave our mark on lives, cities, and the world. Designing is always about transformation – starting from something that could be a desire, a wish, a piece of land with its constraints, or even an existing structure. Can we then say that architects create the world? Do they have the tools to change it? As we wrap up this series during our anniversary month, we invite the younger members of our studio to reflect on this topic. Bruna Cardo Duarte, Diogo Ruivo, Joana Barros, and Mariana Simões highlight some of the ways architecture can (and should) change the world.

 

Can we change the world?

As architects, we have the power to change the world, and with that comes the responsibility to do it the right way. Making the world a better home for everyone is both a responsibility and an opportunity. We design homes, neighborhoods, cities, and create environments that will become part of everyone's lives. This must be done carefully! However, to speak about architecture as something that allows us to transform and change our world, we must also address issues that go beyond design. As architects, we are always seeking solutions—it’s part of our profession and carries over into our daily lives. What is clear is that architecture can be used as a way to solve problems that go beyond the project—social, economic, or environmental issues. If we keep this in mind while designing, we can ensure that the change we make in the world is truly positive and makes it better for everyone. (Mariana Castro Simões)

We change the world because we intervene in it, and that intervention endures over time. It’s important to remember that the lifespan of a building is much longer than the lifespan of its designer. We’re always designing for a future we don’t know. We can't predict what a building will become in 50 or 100 years, but we can ensure its adaptability, whether through its structure, the materials we use, or the way the spaces are shaped. Adaptability is closely tied to sustainability, a crucial topic in architecture today. I’m not sure if we should continue building endlessly—we should think about how what we design today will serve future generations. This approach emphasizes rehabilitation and adaptation, preserving cultural heritage and reducing the economic and environmental impacts of construction. This idea of adaptability also places some responsibility on the people who will inhabit these spaces. When we have a say over a space, we form a relationship with it, which leads us to care for and preserve it. (Bruna Cardo Duarte)

As architects, we definitely change the world. Every time we design, we are shaping what this world can become in the future. It’s not a question of whether we can change it—we do that, better or worse, every day. It’s about knowing how to do it, about having the tools to ensure that our impact on the environment is positive, and that the changes we initiate make the world fairer and more sustainable. Architecture should always have a social component and consider the longevity and adaptability that Bruna mentioned. When we design a building, we need to consider that it will have multiple lives and remain a part of the city long after we’re gone. This theme of longevity and adaptability is closely linked to social issues. Many projects address this aspect, where architects act as mediators for a group of people with limited resources. They can’t provide everything at once because of cost constraints, but what they offer is a kind of blank canvas—a space where people can gradually build their lives. If we can strip architecture down to its essentials, we might contribute to a society that develops itself, rather than being shaped by how architects think. I am an architect, but I believe this is an interesting approach! (Joana Barros)

As architects, we change the world every day. One of the key factors for creating a paradigm shift through architecture is recognizing the responsibility we have to shape the world. In my view, especially now that the environmental impact of our profession is undeniable, it’s important to adopt a sustainability-centered approach. I would say that this concern should arise from the very first moment, when we assess the site we’re designing for. The terrain should dictate the choice of materials, which should be local and have a smaller ecological footprint, but also the shape of the project and its relationship with the exterior and nature. We hear more and more about bringing nature into our designs, and I believe this is a crucial gesture that has clear effects on multiple scales. On a smaller scale—on facades, rooftops, or through the inclusion of courtyards—but also on an urban scale, by bringing green elements into our squares and avenues. Creating more biodiverse cities and environments is certainly a way to make the world better and improve everyone’s quality of life. (Diogo Ruivo)

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