I feel however, that we architects have a special duty and mission... (to contribute) to the socio-cultural development of architecture and urban planning.
Kenzo TangeRead
Architects today tend to depreciate themselves, to regard themselves as no more than just ordinary citizens without the power to reform the future.
Interpretation
Architects often underestimate their ability to impact society and the future.
In this quote, Kenzo Tange reflects on the tendency of architects to belittle their own significance, viewing themselves merely as regular citizens rather than influential changemakers. This self-devaluation can hinder their potential to contribute to meaningful societal reform and advancement through their work in architecture.
In practice
During a conference on urban planning, a speaker can reference this quote to inspire architects to embrace their influential role.
I feel however, that we architects have a special duty and mission... (to contribute) to the socio-cultural development of architecture and urban planning.
We live in a world where great incompatibles co-exist: the human scale and the superhuman scale, stability and mobility, permanence and change, identity and anonymity, comprehensibility and universality.
I'm particularly interested in the public role that all buildings play. I believe that we architects should try to go beyond our basic obligations to the public, and our opportunities to do so are many.
I'm a bad customer for my own buildings! If I'm choosing an apartment, I choose one about five or six stories high so that I can see the people, the trees, and the world on the street. Beyond that, I lose contact with the ground!
If you look at the Earth without architecture, its sometimes a little bit unpleasant. So there is this basic human need to do shelter in the broadest sense of the word, whether its a movie theater or a simple log cabin in the mountains. This is the core of architecture: To provide a space for human beings.
It is difficult to design a space that will not attract people. What is remarkable is how often this has been accomplished.
A greater focus on design in all new homes would make the best use of land, create homes and public spaces, and reinforce the structures of urban life.
Light creates ambience and feel of a place, as well as the expression of a structure.
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