The subject is no longer about architecture; it is humanistic, social and political. Traditional construction needs to cleanse itself of its venality, and rediscover its primary objective, its real necessity: to provide a roof over the heads of the millions of people who have none. It is urgent. The era of traditional building is obsolete. These days, most traditional constructions end in failures. This unacceptable system is no longer working and needs to be rethought.
As for all democratic production, the solution is industrialisation. Instead of creating caverns out of powdered stone and concrete, we should apply automotive engineering to all components. This method would considerably reduce and control construction costs and timings, creating high-quality, affordable homes that are durable and accessible to the greatest number of people. The objective—and the urgency—is to build a house for the price of a car.
Participants
PHILIPPE STARCK, Paris, France, 1949. Lives in Portugal, works in the middle of nowhere.
Thanks
Starck Network: Mahaut Champetier de Ribes, Aubin Laumond; Renault: Arnaud Belloni, Clémence Rouzaud, and Stéphane Barbat
Supporters
Renault
