Dear cement bred architects (and students),

We have been brainwashed and led to believe that concrete is the most supreme and ‘best’ of all. Our colleges focus on concrete structures, our clients prefer the comfort of the idea of concrete structures, investors want to go with the safest option which are concrete structures.

But why?

What was led to this radicle shift that we stopped considering other options and materials and worshiped concrete like the almighty power? Why is it that we prefer to build in concrete in all climates even though we end up being miserable living in those structures afterwards? Why is it that we think that the more natural materials which have stood the effects of time and proved their strength and durability in the form of our great monuments and heritage structures, are weaker and not durable?

If we start arguing against cement concrete the first example that could be presented is a more natural alternative that has been used for ages, i.e., Lime concrete. While in college students are often introduced to its existence, the biased system ends up neglecting to take it forward and instead focus on the more “traditionally” accepted concrete engineering.

And when these students go out in the field and want to explore construction in Lime concrete, they find themselves decapitated by the lack of knowledge of the material. Because while both cement and lime are called concrete, they do not necessarily work the same.

So, experiment with materials as much you can as a student because you may not get to experiment on them at your client’s risk. And to convince your client of an unconventional material, you yourself must be first convinced about it.

Be bold, be brave, and take a stand.

But to prove your stand understand the concept and the working of the material, of the building, of how the systems work. The services techniques often taught to us in college are for the common concrete structure. The same will change when working with other materials like stone or mud. We must learn to let go of our egos and learn from our masons; they are the ones who actually work the materials to actually our designs. Without them our designs would be just that, designs, and not spaces.

The other aspect to construction that we almost always forget is the after. A building is a composite of several different materials. And each material has its own story to tell. But when the day ends, and the building has served its purpose what becomes of those materials?

Where do they go?

It is important for us as Architects to take the responsibility of the disintegration of the building as much as we do for the construction. The Building we create can not in good conscious be allowed to cause harm to its surrounds and to the earth it was built from. Nature follows a Cradle to Grave concept for all life and existence upon it. So, who are we to against it? We create materials that will never disintegrate into the earth. We create endless amount of waste – the forever materials. We say that technological advancement is the greatest tool of humankind. But at what cost? The technology that harms the environment and destroys our home can not be good. It just cannot.

And we should not endorse it. We have the power in our hands to dictate what it is that we would want. Be it another flavour of ice-cream or a more sustainable alternative of living. It is the consumer economy that we hate that has given us that power. It just falls to us to make the better choice.

There are a lot of people in the world that will tell you that this or that is the right thing do. There is no right thing. There is no truth. What we must understand is that our actions have consequences. And we must always be completely aware of that and take responsibility of our actions. Idealist tend to propagate an end-all solution to the problem of the construction industry as to switching to eco-friendly techniques and using only all-natural materials in their constructions. But the flip side to there is the over mining of said natural materials. You have cut down a forest to make a home of wood. You will have to quarry a hole in the earth to make a stone structure. Isn’t that also harming nature?

So, what is the solution to this?

Maybe use waste. Use the rejects and the unwanted to build your home. Or may be use the natural materials more sensibly to not create waste, so that we do not take any more that it is required. And when the day is done, we return it back to the earth and to its natural cycle

There is no right or wrong choice. There is just an informed and responsible one.

With great power comes great responsibility. This is not just for superheroes; it is for everyone. Each one of us impacts our surrounds, the natural, the built and the social. Hence all we must have a moral code that we can abide by and act responsibly.

It is only when you are true to yourself and your principles that you can be unashamed and be truly happy.

Yours truly

a thoughtful mind.