Thanks to all the 2013 Fiji Association of Architects Awards participants, sponsors and organisers for a great event. Congratulations to all the winners and commendations. Below is a copy of the Chief Guests speech which was very thought provoking. Architectural Design Values for Fiji Fiji Association of Architects Awards November 16 2013 by Yee Wah Sing Ladies and Gentleman Everyone is an Architect until there is a problem, then the Architects to blame. Its a great honour for me to be invited to speak at your Awards Night. We are here to celebrate some of the fine achievements of your profession, and have this occasion inspire all of us take on greater challenges ahead. I am aware of the architectural design values of our time include structural honesty, simplicity , economy and relevance to the surrounding environment. In keeping with this spirit, I shall hope to be plain speaking, brief and straight forward in touching on a few issues for your thought and consideration. My address is towards all stakeholders involved in the development of our nation, as much as it is to the Fiji Architects who play a key role in the building industry. I must warn you that I am still rough around the edges. As most of you are aware, I am an agriculturalist by training, a farmer for many years up in the hills of Naitasiri . The first house I built was in 1985 in Lomaivuna. My wife and I lived in for many years . It was a two bedroom residence, basic kitchen, toilet , shower and garage on the side. The total cost was $1,500,--- $1000 for material and $500 for labour. That was all I could afford. The timber we cut from the farm. The floor was uneven because the planks were rough sawn using a chainsaw. It was a place where we ate, slept, raised our baby and prepared our fresh produce to the market. Our home was our packing shed and also our warehouse where we secured our farm tools, fertilizer and farm chemicals. It was the only roof we had in those days. Today I stay in a standard 3 bedroom house in Samabula, an ordinary surburb living an ordinary life just like thousands of people across our nation, coping with everyday issues with the hope that our children will benefit from our endeavours to grow up in prosperous and inclusive society. Its a point not missed that you, have chosen to honour me tonight - an ordinary individual , an everyman , to be the chief guest at your Awards night and have the opportunity to address a gathering of highly qualified professionals, the elite of Fiji society who design extra-ordinary homes for other elites that in a manner of speaking somewhat disempower people like me. I made that last point because there is perception from the common man that architecture and design is only for the rich, and is frivolous, even self indulgent that only the rich can afford. This is not true in Fiji. I know that architects here do cater for a wide range of clienteles, across the whole cross section of our society. The nature of our small economy does not allow for too much specialization. Fiji architects do schools, budget homes, prestige homes and apartments, hotels, shops, public amenities, even ship’s cabins . They do all these projects largely from the same office using the same personell. I am also aware that the architectural professionals are involved in many humanitarian projects all over the world in bringing their problem solving skills to help solve housing problems to the worlds poor. For instance Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design organisation founded in 1999, with a global network of 50,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who could not afford their services- bringing design and development services where they are most critically needed. It is a catalyst for innovation in bundling safer, sustainable and community oriented spaces around the world. In the aftermath of the super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, where an estimated 500,000 homes have been severely damaged, 100,000 homes totally damaged -Architecture for Humanity have been in close association with the Manila Chapter and partners across its global network in assessing the situation and is committed to helping affected regions in the best way possible through addressing long term construction needs. Architects are at the fore front of helping provide housing for communities in need. They assist through organisations such as Architects Without Borders, Architects Without Frontiers, Habitats for Humanity and many other charities, recognizing that the true spirit of architecture is about creating happy living spaces for all our fellow man and women. And yet the perception lingers that architecture and design is only for the elite, and is frivolous, even self indulgent that only the rich can afford. Whose fault is it for the perception to linger ? I leave that question open. This week I have had the privilege of being shown through some of the projects entered for the Awards. I know the beauty of form and space that I experienced in those places would have taken countless hours of design and redesign. Where in some cases, way after midnight, you refused to accept defeat to a design problem and slogged on until you found the answer. I have come to appreciate some of the challenges faced by the architects in our country working across its varied socio-economic and cultural landscape. In addition to design talent and engineering ability , you need to be a psychologist to understand the clients mind, a marriage counsellor to bring rationale between conflicting requirements of husband and wife, a diplomat in dealing with planning authorities, a hard nosed negotiator with contractors, a financial auditor in scrutinizing payment claims and a lawyer in drawing up contractual agreements. These essential skills and many more that they probably did not teach you in architectural school. Design is important to every aspect of the life of ordinary people- on how well we live, work, learn, heal and interact with one another. They say after choosing your spouse, the most important life decision for most people is choosing your architect. Like getting married, getting it wrong can be an expensive exercise , in more ways than one. For the ordinary man , we have but one house where we live, grow old and pass on to our children. We do not have the luxury of demolishing and building anew. ( And may I say that for most of us we can only afford to marry once.) One of the phenomena of our time is the rapid urbanisation. Today more than half of Fijis population live in our urban areas, the vast majority along the Lami-Suva-Nasinu-Nausori corridor, many in squatter settlements. There are many push and pull factors that will continue to entice people to move to towns- the promise of more jobs, better education, bright lights and entertainment. As much as 25% of Fijis population live in squatter settlements according to a report by the Peoples Community Network. Thats over 200,000 people in squatter settlements throughout the Central, Western and Northern Divisions. As much as we wish, these communities will not disappear from the architectural landscape, and without active intervention will lead to what some in the United Nations have called the ruralisation of some of the cities across the globe. The transformation of these communities will require a creative alliance between government, the Housing Authority , the Public Rental Board, non government organisations , corporations and design professionals like yourself. Good design is a resource for our communities as much as the land, water and forest. Some one said that badly designed projects is a crime against humanity across several generations. The Architect’s Association must have a strong voice in our development and business forums (currently dominated by lawyers and accountants). I know some of you are quiet comfortable in your practice, and rocking the boat , so to speak, is the last thing you want to do. But I know, that if you do speak about the need for good design of the public spaces, many will rally behind you. The blind shall see because if you let the blind continue to lead the blind many will become lame. Basic housing is now a constitution right. The government has put in some financial incentives towards getting affordable home ownership. We also need a pragmatic, humanitarian, responsive and flexible approach - an unconventional type of architecture, perhaps because for many of our poor , like myself when I started out in the 1980s, their homes may also be their work places. These communities also require good public spaces and recreational facilities because often the homes are too cramped and have extended families living under one roof. We must be careful not to allow ourselves to become accustomed to the development of parallel universes where beggars starve outside the rich mens mansions. I have witnessed this first hand in other places where the extremes of wealth and poverty have become accepted as the norm. I sincerely hope that the rise of gated communities in some parts of Fiji will not lead to a form of de facto segregation of our society. It not the Fiji I know and love and not the kind of society that I would wish my children to grow up in. Modern architecture is about being creative in allowing sunlight, the natural breeze to flow into our living spaces. Let your thinking be also about subtle ways not to disconnect neighbours and communities from each other. Let your design be about building wider bridges and not more higher walls. I hope more public places, shopping centres, markets can be created or re created that will allow people from all sections of our society, the rich and and the not so rich, to interact comfortably with each other. While there is a demand for exclusivity for those who could afford it, it should not dominate Fijian architecture. We need your input in finding innovative solutions for affordable housing. As a start, I would hope that in next year’s award we have prizes for categories in affordable housing- rural and urban. Innovative designs for homes for those earning from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. Homes that are within the reach of average families. Homes that are energy efficient, low maintenance and homes that allow for easy upgrades and extension when the families can afford it. Homes that cater for extended families because in Fiji many families have children, father, mother and grandparents under one roof. I have no doubt the excitement created by a range of innovative designs for these homes will be far beyond your expectations. The public at large will be able to appreciate and relate to these designs so much more. This is not to take anything away from the prestige homes we see displayed here. They epitomize all your skills, your passion and your creativity to building great homes. I am sure some of the ideas and technology in these prestige homes can trickle down to the wider community. It tells a lot that despite the political and economic uncertainties, that you remain committed to Fiji. While some of you have thrived, I know that that for most of the last decade, work may have been hard to come by for architects in Fiji as investors held back projects. As highly qualified professionals, many of you with vastl experience, with first world degrees, you are highly mobile and would earn a lot more plying your skills in the great metropolis of the world. I salute you for the courage and decency in keeping your practices open, keeping your employees on the payroll even when there were not enough projects to justify it, having the faith that things will turn around. I cannot tell the future but all indicators are pointing that the true potential of Fiji is about to be unleashed. Once again, there will be the burning of the midnight oil to meet your many deadlines. The building industry is set to take off. There will be some large projects, some of them conceived and funded by overseas investors from Asia, Europe and America. You can and should be involved in these projects and I hope, the Fiji government, do encourage these investors to use local architects. Not only have you proven your capability over the years, as manifested in some of the wonderful works we see here tonight, you capture the heart and soul of nation much better than anyone can. The engagement of our local architects with international design teams will bring out the best. There will be a lot of pressure for you to perform over the coming years. Dont be tempted to settle for second best. Let your architecture be great for it will immensely enrich the lives of our families and our communities and leave a happy legacy for generations to come. Thank you. yeewahsing
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 01:08:39 +0000
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