RSVP

Something worth looking at:

Archis Magazine’s RSVP Events;
http://archis.org/rsvp/

Part critic, theorist and activist, the RSVP events coordinated by Dutch architecture magazine Archis are an interesting study in the temporary. The program is conceived as a catalyst for architectural ideas and their implementation.

Beginning in 2004, through their website ( http://archis.org/rsvp/ ) a place and a time are proposed and the rest is left up to everyone else to “rsvp”. The resulting events are determined by the character of the place and the number of responses. Described as tactical interventions they have completed ten events so far with requests for four more on the boards at the time of this writing.

Events of note as related to this study:
“Paranoia” – Amman/Ramallah – March 2005
http://archis.org/rsvp/rev_paranoia.html
“Unbuilt” – Beirut – Spring 2006
http://www.archis.org/unbuilt/
“Safety” – Kabul – Summer 2007
http://www.archis.org/rsvp/kabul.html
“Shelter” – Taichung – Spring 2008
http://www.archis.org/rsvp/Taichung.html

Expectations for Safety

Is it reasonable in this day in age, or any for that matter to expect to be 100% safe and protected by the built world around us? By this I include safety from building structural building failure which one might have a sensible expectation for, but then the question could be asked, should we not expect that damage through attack now be considered in design decisions? If so, where is the line drawn?

A larger discussion

For those just joining in, welcome to the discussion. In an effort to expand the conversation (or in this case start one) from the monologue I’ve got going so far I wanted to put up a post that will allow for your general thoughts about the position of architecture in relation to designing from fear and for safety. In addition to my posts on readings I’ll be posing sporadic questions fishing for your input. Currently this discussion (the blog) is based out of New York but this being a worldwide concern some International perspective is always appreciated.

I welcome your thoughts and insights into this topic.