G.A.O.T.U. - THE ARCHITECT AS DEITY

“No matter your social status or how powerful you feel you are, we are all equal.  We came here by birth and we leave here by death.”- unknown

It is a very humbling experience being able to go into and observe other peoples’ lives and the spaces in which they exist on a day to day basis; it makes it all the more humbling when you are received into their home in a way that makes you feel famous.  Everyone smiling and looking into your eyes as if you are more than human and blessing you as you enter into their humble school house – a.k.a. Anganwadi. “Namaste,” is said with hands genuinely and firmly placed together to the centre of every chest bone and head bowed with a feeling of immense respect and trust being passed to the receiver, who is in this instance me. It is slightly overwhelming, but it also fills the soul with joy and affirmation as we as humans only wish to be accepted.   

Can you imagine if every western meeting started this way?  With everyone showing true respect for one another…I wonder if meetings would be more productive, would be more positive, and with less politics?  I doubt it, but one can dream that a solution as simple as this would suffice.

The immense respect shown is not something as architects we expect, but it is often a reaction we are given when someone finds out that we are an architect.  Even in western situations, when we are asked the reasonably harmless question of, “what do you do?”  Our response is usually very casual and understated, possibly due to the knowledge of what’s coming, an over-reaction that we are now different in their eyes and that we are something ‘special’ or way above them in social status.  It’s the strangest thing because we as architects don’t know how to react or respond when this occurs because we are no different to the person asking, however we have been immediately placed on a pedestal without testing or providing proof that we should be revered in this way.  Quite basically put, not all architects are amazing designers just like not all doctors are good doctors.  Yes, I said it.   

So, it becomes an internal question of whether we should perform and embrace the perception of the stereotypical flamboyant or ostentatious architect?   Or should we become even more understated and possibly introverted in perception to ensure we don’t come across as a generalisation?  Neither usually happens and the next comment to come is, “I was almost an architect…or I wanted to become an architect…or I studied drafting in high school.” Then we are put even further into a position of not knowing how to respond, because either option of answering again puts us into the above two categories – coming across as believing we are superior or putting ourselves down in order to not be the former.  Usually, I say something that lowers my status, in order to make the person feel more comfortable and to break down the hierarchy that’s been put in place by them but this what way of responding also devalues our profession. 

So, where is the middle line?  I am not sure, as almost every situation or conversation creates this dichotomy of possible responses. And there is rarely enough time in an introductory situation or cocktail conversation to allow for a middle line response or explanation of why their reaction or statements are not well received in either way. 

I brought this conundrum, as to why people put us on a pedestal and then immediately try and reconnect by stating they were some form of ‘almost’ an architect, up with my colleague here in India and she provided a hypothesis that I find worth considering:

She said something along these lines, “In our western world because God created the world, there is this direct mental connection with God and designers because we design and create things.”  I’ve over simplified it, but you get the point. I thought, ok, this actually that makes a lot of sense but wanted to see if there was any truth to this…and guess what?! There is!

After some google scholar and non-scholarly searching, I found out that in mediaeval times it was believed God created the universe according to astronomy and geometry both of which are used by Architects, who were called Master Builders at the time.   Hinduism also pays homage to architecture and engineering in connection to the creation of the universe. Vishvakarman is the Hindu god of architecture.  His name in san script means, “all creating.” His weapon is a scale ruler and he depicted sitting on a goose or an elephant.   Sounds like a man of the same cloth.

So, I ask you to consider why you react these ways when finding out someone is an architect and if it is genuinely a valid  or appropriate response or not.  While we enjoy being well received, we also like being respected like all humans based on who we are not what we are perceived to be. Look us up, google us, before you give us god-like status and please just shake our hand like any Bob, Jane, or Harry.