The Do Village

The built environment has become, in so many areas, a desolate and depressing place. Poorly executed public realm, pastiche or fashion architecture, little consideration of urban grain or the interaction of people with spaces; and the widespread use of low quality materials. Those who develop new buildings have a responsibility to do so in a considerate and responsible way. It’s not so hard – it just requires imagination, a boldness of spirit and the desire to delight others. Buildings should be carefully crafted from materials which improve with age. They should be at the same time adaptable and durable. “Firmness, Commodity, Delight” as Vitruvius put it. That’s not such a tough ask but it is one that developers and architects all too frequently fail to answer. Last word on this to John Ruskin….

“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for.”

John Ruskin – The Seven Lamps of Architecture 1849

Carlo