VISION
I firmly believe that architecture has the power to make the world a better place. As architects, we carry the responsibility to confront today’s environmental, social, and economic challenges by creating inspiring and engaging spaces that motivate people toward positive change. We must understand and care for the character of the places in which we design—much like parents nurture their children—striving to rediscover a sense of place rooted in the unique qualities of each environment, whether natural or cultural. We must respect and learn from nature, history, and technology. By doing so, we can protect cultures, preserve the natural world, and secure a sustainable future for generations and species yet to come.
ON SPACE, PLACE, AND LANDSCAPE
I have always been fascinated by the relationship between humans and the environment, and I soon realized that architecture acts as a bridge between the two. My early theoretical projects, which I called archi-textures, explored the connection between humans and space—a fundamental aspect of architecture. I came to understand space as an abstract framework through which humans control and interpret physical reality, extending beyond the analysis of specific locations. In this way, space functions as a conceptual mediator between humans and places.
As my understanding of space deepened, my focus shifted toward the concept of place. This marked a transition from a knowledge base rooted in human perception, physiology, and psychology, to one grounded in the anthropological, social, and geographical interactions between humans and places. I came to see place as the realm where physical, biological, sociocultural, and symbolic processes converge and evolve over time.
From there, my interest expanded to include the ideas of landscape and nature. This shift represented a movement from a human-centered relationship with the environment to a holistic perspective—one that recognizes all organisms and the physical world as interconnected and interdependent. It also marked the adoption of a global, systemic view, grounded in the conviction that only the positive coevolution of natural and cultural systems can meaningfully shape the future.
ARCHITECTURE: SPACE, PLACE, AND MATTER
Space and place are the architect’s primary tools of expression—preceding even matter. In architecture, matter serves as a mould or vessel: it shapes space, an abstract and intangible medium, while simultaneously altering places and their ambience—the spirit of place. Architecture, therefore, operates largely through indirection, manipulating matter to give form to space and transform the spirit of place, both of which are ephemeral in nature. Space is typically conceived in response to human needs, purposes and plans; place, by contrast, encompasses the broader environment and its processes. In this sense, place and space are complementary, together bridging the gap between the concrete and the abstract, being and becoming, and between body and mind.
DEFINITION
Architecture creates spaces and modifies places for dwelling.
UNVEILING THE NATURE OF PLACES
Whenever I begin a project, my first aim is to understand the nature of the place. Architecture and planning should uncover the deep connections between a community’s culture and its unique environment. This requires a holistic inquiry into the physicochemical, biological, ecological, sociocultural, and symbolic dimensions of a territory. How did the landform arise, and why does it have its current topography? Which geological, hydrological, and meteorological processes shaped it over time? When did plant life emerge, and how did it influence the distribution of animals? What transformations occurred in the habitat before human presence?
On the cultural side: When did the first human settlements appear? Which historical events shaped the community, its economy, its customs, and its symbolic traditions—festivals, rituals, and celebrations? Does the present spatial organization sustain or obstruct the physical, ecological, and sociocultural processes of the place?
Ultimately, architecture, urban planning, and landscape design must seek to enhance and integrate these conditions. To truly grasp the nature of place, architects must ask such questions, treating each place as a living, evolving system of interconnected processes.