Concept Cartel Blog What is the Changing Role of Risk in Architecture?

Anthony Richardson, That Architecture StudentWhen I was invited to write this guest post with the question posed, "What is the changing role of risk in architecture?" it got me thinking. Should I talk about how from a legal stand point it is much riskier for buildings to be built? Perhaps should I look at how few built examples there are around Melbourne of architects taking risk? I then realised, I am in no real position to discuss those, however what I could write about is the role of risk in architecture school.Architecture studio projects, where students don't need to worry about budgets, engineering details, town planners, neighbours, codes and regulations or logistics of building. You would think with this kind of freedom the student would be able to take risks in their design? Some do, and each case is different but sometimes the risk turns into a reward, other times not so much. A lot of times however the student plays it safe in fear of failing by taking that risk. Why is this case?I was talking to a friend earlier where I asked her the question if she ever took a risk in a studio project, and she did. She defied what the tutor wanted and did what she felt was right, then when it came to review it was no well received. The sad part is now she just does what the tutor say, relating tutors to clients and stating that in the future we have to do what the client wants. It's this second part that is disheartening and the complete opposite of what architecture school is really about.Should architecture school be treated like a real-life project? Should a student ensure the building is to code, has accurate engineering and does whatever the tutor wants? If that is the case, we are only going to continue developing and producing future architects who are afraid to take risks and be innovative. If we are taught to believe that the client is always right and we should bend over backwards to appease them, the architecture profession, and our built environment, will suffer. Let me use a "real world" example, let's say a developer is your client who only cares about dollar signs. Would you do as they say and cram 250 poorly designed apartments or would you take a risk and present 200 amazingly designed apartments even though it could mean you lose the job? In other words, would you be happy to contribute a poorly design building to our built environment just for money? In architecture school we should be not only taught but inspired and driven to take risks and avoid such scenarios but that isn't the case. Why?What about me however? Have I taken a risk before in studio? I have but not in the same context as above, as there is another side to risk that many architecture students take. It was the day before interim review, I had a design which was kind-of okay, I wasn't excited by it but it was well enough to get me past the review. As the day turned into night, around 11pm I decided to take a risk and start from scratch, complete redesign. This involved an all-nighter, plenty of Red Bull consumption, a 3am McDonalds run and a mad dash home to shower before the review. I was ill-prepared, not having the full required number of drawings (as I did not have the time) however despite that my review and feedback was positive. Granted I was criticised and had many issues pointed out, the overall idea I had was well received, which was important to me.What if I didn't take that risk in redesigning mere 10 hours before? What if I had rocked up with my original design slightly refined? Quite often I hear classmates after reviews say things along the lines of "Oh wish I would have done that." or "I should have just stuck with my original idea." It is if students are taking the easy route and avoid taking risks as they just want good marks or want their tutor to like their project. Is that how you determine if the project is amazing?Let's look at my personal experience again but let's throw some real-life into it, as this has been brought up by tutors before. If I had a meeting with a client to present to them their big design, and I had been working on it for 3 weeks. The client has requested to see floor plans, elevations and sections as part of the meeting, in order to sign off on the design or not. The night before I'm lying in bed, can't sleep as I'm nervous about the meeting and I glance over to my table and see my floor plans, elevations and sections, completed. I then have a brainwave and thought of a completely different, and in my mind, better design. Throwing the blankets away I slump at my desk and work through the night, only to have completed floor plans for the meeting. What would you do? Would you take the better designed, although not enough drawings by the client's standard or take the safe option and turn up with your original design?Why are architecture students afraid to take a risk? Has the education system placed so much emphasis on grades that students just comply with whatever their tutors say to achieve a good grade? The students coming through university right now is the future of the profession, we will be shaping the built environment and that thought right there is so powerful. Shouldn't we be encouraged to push the boundaries and explore the possibilities? I'll put my hand up and say I have, in the past, elected not to take risks. However, I am going to raise my hand again, and I want you to raise yours as well, next studio project I will be taking a risk. Anthony Richardson is an Architecture student at Deakin University, Victoria. To find out more about Anthony and to view more of his writings, visit www.thatarchitecturestudent.com/