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INARI VIRKKALA PROJECT ARCHIVE

Architect focusing on the social impacts of the built environment
  • Maata pitkin -matkajuttuja
  • Project archive 2010-2015
  • Research Blog 2013-2015

2013 - 2015 Social Structure


During 2013-2015 I was working on the "Social Structure" research project. The aim was to define economic models for architects to work on social impact design. The research was conducted trough qualitative interviews with chosen professionals and combined with work periods of 3 months in 4 different practices focusing on social impact design. The blog Social Structure documents these interviews and the learning process throughout 2013-2015. The project is funded with Antti Nurmesniemi-grant from Asko foundation. Preliminary interviews were funded with a grant from the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) and Väinö Vähäkallio scholarship from Aalto University.

maslow.jpg

Social impact design vs. DWYL vs. real need

January 19, 2014

As a social impact designer one works often for customers who can't pay for the services of the designer. Why then actually, does the designer do the work? To save the world? To get a project built for acting as effective marketing for a starting office?

The motives behind pro bono work are under continuous discussion. It is also a hot topic within the South of North -collaboration of Nordic architects, who have been working on community projects in developing countries.

One explanation that I've come to think of, is that social impact design is actually very selfish business. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, It fulfills the designers highest need of self actualization when the designer is "able to use one's professional skills for common good."

But then, does it really matter what the motives are, as long as the end result is a positive one (such as completing a youth center to Cambodia for the use of two ngos).

These are thoughts that I will continue to examine further and especially in relation to the discussions on Do What You Love -work and if the provided development aid really responds to the greatest need.

(Picture of Maslow's hierarchy of needs stolen from www.21stcentech.com)

← Social Impact Design: Moving from marginal to majorityPortola Community meeting with designer David Bill presenting Activate McCoppin →

Why is Social Impact Design important?


"Trough these small acupuncture acts we could transform the public space into the inclusive builder of community that it should be."
Katherine Darmstadt, Architecture for Humanity Chicago & Latent Design
www.chicagoideas.com

Because it can decrease the environmental impact of our cities:
"The growing emphasis on place making is linked to renewed interest in public transportation, and in walkable communities."
Light, Quick And Cheap: The Big Shift In Urban Planning, Micheline Maynard, Forbes.com 23.10.2013

Because by providing spaces for murals you can decrease maintenance costs of the public sphere:
"They have an active youth arts education program that give kids an alternative to graffiti."
Mural matriarch Susan Cervantes makes it big in art, San Francisco Chronicle 5.11.2014

"As more firms expand that access through pro bono design efforts, the public appreciation of the benefits and necessity of architectural services will also expand."
Architectural Record, October 2008.


Schedule of Social Structure research


Preliminary study period: August-October 2013
08/2013 HPAIR Asia in Dubai as part of European Delegation
08/2013 Tampere Architecture Week with Uusi Kaupunki-collective
09/2013 TAB 2013 Tallinn Architecture Biennale
09/2013 AES Think Big in San Francisco
09/2013 European delegation final seminar in Berlin
10/2013 South of North -seminar in MFA Helsinki

Actual research period: November 2013-November 2014

11/2013 Work in research part begins with Architecture for Humanity HQ in San Francisco

01-03/2014 2nd work in research part with Building Trust International in Cambodia

05-07/2014 3rd work in research part with raumlabor berlin in Germany

10-12/2014 4th work in research part with Architecture et Développement in Siliguri, India

01/2015 Publication of “Social Structure” web-publication

Inari Virkkala | inari.virkkala(a)gmail.com | +358 40 574 1926