Define: ra-di-cal//BintWTD_Tracy
The word radical evokes many images in my mind, most of them negative. I think it is a question of usage. For most of my life it has been used to designate a person or an idea that is completely outside the accepted range of thought. Unfortunately that range is so narrow that even innocuous ideas become radical in their application.
As a design philosophy radical then becomes not some profound shift of ideals or earth moving alternative theory but just a question, what are we doing, and how can we do it better? We must begin seriously entertaining a truly radical thought: as a part of the whole our thoughts and designs are affecting every aspect of life.
The stagnant nature of conventional wisdom leaves a gaping hole in the progress of radical design thought. By challenging narrow definitions of community, value and program we can start to create innovative spaces that fulfill the needs of the whole while satisfying client requirements.
Community takes on new meaning through a simple shift of focus. Are we allowing ourselves to consider the full impact of new programs—how they will evolve over time to the benefit of the community? While acting as individuals, are we continuing to support the system—to grow or change or develop as a collective? Are we using our design vision to fulfill the needs of every community? Is it a vision that can be sustained?
We can set new criteria to assess value—define it as a measure of usefulness and quality, not only a monetary standard. An organically growing domain that takes its own needs and wants as its advisor has the benefit of knowing absolutely what is most required to keep everything running smoothly. Encouraging the participation of the public will guarantee that the value to them, to their lives, is being maintained.
Programming is there from inception. The question of what to do with a space is never really a question at all when the needs of the community are being considered as a first thought. What comes after through our design cannot help but follow clearly in the path of those needs.
Design can achieve whatever we ask it to—it can be shallow and glossy, or it can be bottomless and abounding with possibility. By allowing our ideas to speak through our designs we can affect the world around us. Is that radical? I think, yes. Definitely.
-Follow @Tracyegray
