Editor’s Letter – April 2022

Architects love themselves. And why shouldn't they? Of course, I'm being somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but, certainly, if you've trained for all those years and are tasked with shaping in the most fundamental way possible our physical environment, our cities, our behaviours and our very daily experiences, you've got something to be proud of. So it's not often you hear an architect talk about what they can't – or rather, shouldn't – do.

In conversation with Franklin Azzi a few weeks ago, the French architect and Maison&Objet Designer of the Year 2022 spoke of the need for greater collaboration, particularly in the age of sustainability: 'We are not God,’ he explained to me when we met up at his special installation at the Paris fair. ‘An architect is not able to do everything. That's what I believe. But we should know a little about everything... Since sustainable design has emerged in architecture, it has become more and more complicated as well, because there are new actors coming into the building process. So, I think we shouldn't lose the skill of synthesis, of “melting” all those disciplines together.’ If you missed his interview, you can read it here. Spoiler alert: the man thinks we should stop creating new buildings.

Speaking with Benedetta Tagliabue meanwhile, as part of our recent Furniture Design Week – itself the latest instalment in our ongoing Global Design Agenda series of expert-insight talks – the award-winning architect, co-author with Enric Miralles of such place-making projects as the Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood and the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona, reminded me of the ambition, or perhaps sense of responsibility, that still exists among certain practitioners to design totally. ‘From the city to the spoon,’ as she put it, quoting Italian architect Gae Aulenti.

Find out what she sees as the function and meaning of furniture in architectural space (‘The roof or the ceiling is also a piece of furniture’) by watching my interview with her here. And, while you’re at it, why not check out Sebastian Herkner, Alfredo Häberli and MAKE Architects?

Milano is coming. If you’re as excited as me about the return to form this June of Milan Design Week – in all its Salone del Mobile and throughout-the-city glory – then brace yourselves. To mark the creation of DAAily platforms, which sees the coming together of Designboom, Architonic and ArchDaily as a powerful triumvirate of global-reaching, premium-only architecture and design channels, we’re setting up camp in Milan at the Centro Svizzero from 7 to 10 June. Here, our DAAily bar – co-curated by the likes of Sebastian Herkner, Patricia Urquiola and Stefan Diez, will serve refreshments every day from 2pm, while at the same time refreshing the mind with a series of talks hosted by me and by Designboom and ArchDaily Editors-in-Chief Birgit Lohmann and David Basulto, respectively. Our aim: to inspire and entertain, while our destination lounge and outdoor terrace deliver a healthy dose of conviviality and connection.

See you there?

Simon Keane-Cowell
Editor-in-Chief


DAAily bar at Swiss Corner
Piazza Cavour / Via Palestro 2
20121 Milano

7–10 June
2pm to 9pm daily

© Architonic