Challenges and New Perspectives in Architecture: insights from Director Walter Angonese

What new challenges does architecture face today? How does it relate to climate change and artificial intelligence? Professor Walter Angonese, Director of the Academy of Architecture at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), addressed these topics in an interview published in Corriere del Ticino.

Architecture, by its very nature, moves along a diachronic axis: "Architecture has always been related to three aspects: the past, from which it draws experiences to create projects; the present, which requires decisions and choices to be made; and the future, which brings these choices into a dimension where responsibility and vision intertwine and interact. All three of these aspects are necessary for a serious and responsible architectural project", explained Professor Walter Angonese.

Architecture can also have a political value, either going with the times or opposing them. An example of an interesting synergy is the one that has developed between architecture and the fight against climate change: "Throughout its age-old history, architecture has consistently confronted climate and its changes, with many iconic buildings emerging from this very challenge. Today, however, the pressing issue is that climate change is occurring at an alarming pace, which conflicts with the inherent inertia of the construction industry. For years, architects have been developing strategies and construction methods focused on sustainability. At the Academy, we collaborate with an international teaching staff each year to help students and future architects develop effective methods for addressing climate challenges," commented the Academy's Director.

Addressing climate challenges also means improving urban planning to reduce the risk of natural disasters such as floods or fires: "As generalist architects, we are increasingly expected to possess a diverse range of knowledge and skills that enable us to anticipate and incorporate various scenarios in urban and strategic planning. Unfortunately, the realities of the market often compromise this important urban planning process."

These issues are widely debated at the USI Academy of Architecture, where future architects receive a broad humanistic education: "We have been working on this aspect for a long time. Our study programme is rich in this sense and offers various possibilities for learning and applying the ability to connect data, experience, and vision. Unlike the Institutes of Technology in Zurich or Lausanne, we do not have specialised departments in physics, meteorology, or engineering. Instead, we are a school with a more humanistic perspective aimed at training architects with strong critical thinking skills. Humanism has always served as a valuable tool for analysing cultural and natural phenomena, allowing us to produce meaningful syntheses and thoughtful responses. If artificial intelligence enhances our analysis and synthesis capabilities in the future, our role in fostering critical thinking will become even more essential," explained Professor Angonese.

Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), the Director of the Academy of Architecture acknowledges its value, but only as a tool to support human creativity: "AI is a fundamental tool that enables us to act more accurately, minimising errors, and conduct analyses rapidly, allowing us to respond even in emergencies. If society doesn't understand that critical thinking, emotions, and chance-driven phenomena are part of being human and that the products we create, therefore, have a different complexity than those generated by machines that rely solely on data, then humanity and not just architecture, will lose much of its essence." Nevertheless, for some years now, the Academy of Architecture has been devoting increasing attention to the topic of AI: "Our students are very interested in this subject, and we try to support them while reminding them that, for now, artificial intelligence is merely a tool that must be used with awareness and critical detachment. We don't know what the future holds, but the progress made over the last two years is certainly impressive. As I said before, we want to train architects who know how to use these and other tools but are still in control of their thoughts and choices," added Professor Angonese.

In conclusion, the Director of the Academy of Architecture recalled the qualities needed to become an architect capable of creating a personal narrative around design: "It takes critical thinking and self-critical thinking. The famous architect and theorist Hermann Czech says: "Every decision needs reflection". If documented, it could be considered a form of narration. And narration requires creativity, and creativity requires curiosity and passion.'

The full interview with Professor Walter Angonese, by Paolo Galli for Corriere del Ticino, is available at the following link. (Italian only)