Session 4: Water Systems + Public Architectures Drylands Conference.

March 23rd 2012

WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, OR IS IT?

Michael B. Lehrer, FAIA, Moderator Frank Escher Gini Lee Mary Ann Ray Katherine Rinne Deborah Richmond Alex Robinson

WHATS THE MATTER?

AND WHY DOES IT?

WHY DOES DESIGN versus science, engineering, even art MATTER? WHY IS IT A RUDIMENT, NOT AN INDULGENCE, IN SECURING OUR FUTURE? HOW DOES DESIGN PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND LEVERAGE OUR EVERY ASSET? WHY IS IT ESSENTIAL, IF INDEED IT IS?

WHATS THE MATTER? PLACES MATTER STORIES MATTER GOODIES MATTER MATTERS OF FACT BEAUTY MATTERS

PLACES MATTER

MAKE PLACES OF DESIRE.

STORIES MATTER
COLORADO RIVER AQUEDUCT TOUR

Places are a self-fulfilling prophecy

If someone tells you a place is fancy, it becomes fancier...If someone tells you a place is bad, it becomes badder Always understand the extremely psychological nature of placemaking and the way we value communities.

WATER + LIFE MUSEUMS, HEMET CALIFORNIA

WATER+LIFE MUSEUMS & CAMPUS

WATER = LIFE NO WATER = NO LIFE

GOODIES MATTER
All stakeholders/constituents/communities need long term and immediate gratification

NO MEMORY NO PROPHECY
People have no memory longer than 3 weeks backwards or able to project 3 weeks forward: JUST LOOK AT THE PRIMARIES. Making a Difference: Palpable, visceral change. Potholes, infrastructure.

MATTERS OF FACT

PROBLEMS INFRASTRUCTURE DELIGHT

MATTERS OF FACT

PROBLEMS
Projects are PROBLEM solving endeavors. But they are still PROBLEMS.
For normal people that means somebody has failed, has been derelict or incompetent.

Solving PROBLEMS is the nature of real work

MATTERS OF FACT

INFRASTRUCTURE:
THE CONUNDRUMs OF INFRASTRUCTURE
come about because

COMMUNITY BEAUTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

are invariably de-linked.

MATTERS OF FACT

INFRASTRUCTURE:
THE CONUNDRUMs OF INFRASTRUCTURE

The more effective it is, the more invisible it is.

MATTERS OF FACT

INFRASTRUCTURE:
THE CONUNDRUMs OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Often one-liners: the LEAST it must be

MATTERS OF FACT

INFRASTRUCTURE:
THE CONUNDRUMs OF INFRASTRUCTURE

versus the MOST it can be

MATTERS OF FACT

INFRASTRUCTURE:
THE CONUNDRUMs OF INFRASTRUCTURE

BEAUTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE, MUST BE AN INSEPARABLE UNITY to change the culture

MATTERS OF FACT
Firmitas, Utilitas, et Venustas Firmness, Commodity and

DELIGHT
VITRUVIUS

MATTERS OF FACT
DELIGHT IN LIGHT IN COMMUNITY IN PEOPLE IN THE LAND IN NATURE AND ITS FINITUDE AND INFINITY. IN MAKING
PLACES THAT AGGRESSIVELY MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY

BEAUTY MATTERS
THE BEAUTY OF PERFORMANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF BEAUTY BEAUTY AND SUSTAINABILITY, AN INSEPARABLE COUPLET THE LUXURY OF SUSTAINABILITY THE VALUE OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAUTY OF VALUE(S) BEAUTY IS A RUDIMENT OF HUMAN DIGNITY

FINALLY, THIS IS WHY BEAUTY AND SUSTAINABILITY TOGETHER, MATTER. THEY

CAPTURE THE CULTURES IMAGINATION, AND FUEL ITS PASSION FOR CHANGE.