The era of starchitects, celebrity architects who aimed to carry out dazzling works without major concerns with the surroundings, lost its already diminished meaning in the post-pandemic world. The search for coexistence with the natural environment, collectivity and integrated thinking are more alive than ever and are consolidated as parameters of the new contemporary architecture. Whether due to the desire to overcome the lack of the other imposed by social isolation, or the urgency to articulate responses to social and economic problems. It is necessary to practice new perspectives, in order to build spaces that are more consistent with the current moment.
The enhancement of public spaces is, without a doubt, the main starting point in the urban environment. People are hungry for contact with nature and need open places to meet safely. In addition, there is the perception that, without these breaks and a feeling of belonging to the natural world, it is more difficult to achieve quality of life and combat the symptoms of anxiety and depression that are widespread globally.
We believe that architecture has never been more in demand to play an articulating role, putting issues in perspective to reconcile social and environmental concerns, economic development and valuing heritage, quality of life and collective living. It’s time to exercise this knowledge and thus reach the full potential for transformation that the post-Covid world offers us.
Image: aerial photo of the project for the Bus Terminal and Surroundings in São Luís, MA
