AA alumna Madeleine Kessler (AADipl2013), an associate architect at Haptic Architects and co-curator of the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, has been featured in RIBAJ, sharing her thoughts on the future of architecture as a profession in light of COVID-19.

Kessler highlighted that frequently architects are unable to make full use of their training in commercial settings:

‘At university we are taught to invent briefs and question strategic decisions. But in practice, by the time a client approaches us many decisions have already been taken. The most successful projects I have been involved with have been ones where the client involved the architect from the earliest stages... Unfortunately, clients and decision makers don’t always see the strategic value that architects can bring. Design is often seen as an add-on rather than something that should be holistically integrated from the earliest stages.

Kessler also commented on the plans for the British Pavilion at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, which she co-curates with AA head of public programme, Manijeh Verghese. Their project, titled The Garden of Privatised Delights, ‘looks at how we can better open up privatised public space, proposing strategies for more inclusive ownership, access and use…. We are interested in how the architect is not just someone who designs and builds, but is also a communicator and facilitator of conversations that bring people together.’

Lastly, Kessler commented on the necessity for architects to change their practice to effectively address the challenges and the possibilities posed by lockdown and changing patterns of behaviour:

‘It is more important than ever that we embed ourselves in the wider conversation about our towns and cities. As we adapt to working from home, living more locally and getting to know our neighbours and neighbourhoods in new ways, we are faced with an opportunity for our profession to also evolve.’

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