A word to Monica

Monica was in my tutelage twice during her studies at EAUFMG where I am project tutor until today. She was mine student in a module by her 4th year course and in her final graduation project, by 1996. I am pretty sure that there is 14 years I do not see her around after that period. But Just now she has noticed my site and blog and she has read my small introducing with my opinion in Portuguese where I comment that the field of studies of Architecture are constantly threaten with many distinct enemies. Among them I commented that mainly a cause of that hypothesis is a pseudo-scientific attitude that has been invading the curricula’s courses around the world. It created contradictions and reactions, be by the reduction of the design to a prolix calculation of variables, be by heightened a false creativity supported by hollow theoretical approaches. We do not call our learning spaces as ‘ateliers’ or ‘studios’, but ‘labs’.

Monica agreed with me and told me she does not practise architectural design anymore. By reading my text, she said she found an interpretation about which enemies we need to cope with. Despite not considering herself as an architect anymore, what I should say to Monica is about her love to Architecture – at least the subject itself – and the useful help she could give people by educating them, providing elements to reflect whether our buildings are technological poor cages or when they invite us to live the life really. Thank you, Monica.