Didn't You Know? Art Is Only for Rich People

by Tony Chavira

At RACAIA Architects, we're definitely not idealists when it comes to getting paid; in fact, I make it a point to bill our clients religiously. Don't get me wrong, architects are far more eager to be creative than restrict themselves to a project's budget (first and foremost, they are artists); and personally I have grand democratic philosophies about how art and design should be accessible to people of all social standings. But let's be honest with ourselves: people who pay for amazing art get amazing art. But does that mean that if you decide to live in an affordable complex, that you're boxing yourself into your own personal asylum? Simply stated, the answer is yes.

I know that answer wasn't the one you were hoping for and, to be clear, it isn't always the case. Design for affordable housing projects is a wide range of creative possibilities, from ultra-boxy and utilitarian to radically abstract and curvilinear. I wouldn't choose either of those options, but at the very least it's nice to have a choice in the matter.

IIIe arrondissement, Paris

But here's the weird thing: during the course of human history we've undergone thousands of years of architectural innovation. From Ancient Greek seaside homes, to Apache Indian dwellings in cliff sides, to 13th century Japanese housing standards, to Baroque Cathedral design, to Le Corbusier, to Frank Lloyd Wright, to Mies Van Der Rohe, to I.M. Pei, to Frank Gehry. We're absolutely not lacking in the possibilities of creative spaces, elevations, color schemes, furniture and materials, etc. Thousands of years later and what's the current situation, you ask? Developers don't trust their architects. Architects spend their lives learning detailed codes, keeping up with technological innovation, and learning how to make good design great, and they still get no credit for it. I mean, ask any architect about the certification test. It's pretty rough.

Could it be financially advantageous to infuse creative, artistic design into affordable housing projects? Stop me if I'm getting ahead of myself, but if materials are cheaper than ever and architects are always willing to stamp their personal styles all over their projects, then affordable housing is the perfect opportunity for an artistic "win-win" situation. Developers, although money driven, can understand quality aesthetic: better-looking spaces sell faster. Architects are always looking for ways to sneak their names and signature designs onto trade magazine covers. And there are plenty of manufacturers out there who have invested a ton of money into better, cheaper, energy-efficient materials. Artistic housing design can't possibly be an issue of budget, unless you're a developer who wants an empty gray cube for a building.

photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A friend of mine once said that when people look at Frank Gehry's Disney Music Hall, they're struck with awe: "People know it's something amazing, and there's a need to understand it." There's a certain amount of pride a developer and an architect must feel in completing a project to the best of their abilities, both functionally and creatively. The tenants will always notice the quality regardless of socio-economic standing, especially if the space is designed with their needs in mind. And hey, if you trust the creative abilities of your architect, the free press on your structure's creative design won't be too shabby either.