Architectural Works as Agents of Discrimination

Rick Fox, Architect ISPA 2014 TU Delft, NL

An argument against things as moral agents

An argument against P1. Moral agents have the following characteristics…{F1,

F2, F3, Fn} P2. Inanimate objects [lacking a mental repertoire] lack

all these characteristics. C1. Inanimate objects cannot be moral agents.

P3. A work of architecture is an object lacking a mental repertoire.

C2. Works of architecture cannot be moral agents.

QED

Architecture as a “proxy” moral agent

An argument in favor 1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact,

made clear by an emphasis on human variation. 2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of

disability, no less that social and cultural attitudes. 3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be

under the ‘veil of ignorance.’ 4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people

(the “disabled”) without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust. 5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages,

including those with a moral theme. 6. Exclusion is unjust; a message of exclusion is a message of

injustice. 7. A work that conveys messages of its own injustice, is itself

unjust. 8. Thus, a work of architecture can be construed as an autonomous

moral agent.QED

A few thoughts on disability & justice

Terms

Impairment Disability

A few thoughts on disability & justice

The Medical Model

A few thoughts on disability & justice

The Social Model

A few thoughts on disability & justice

The ICF bio-psycho-social Model

1. Architectural barriers have a universal exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation.

1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation. Impairment is a

universal human experience

1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation.

All humans experience change in: bodily function & structure levels of personal capacity levels of personal

performance

1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation.

Architectural barriers

2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of disability, no less than social and cultural attitudes.

2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of disability, no less than social and cultural attitudes. The disablement

process

2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of disability, no less than social and cultural attitudes.

Participation in life-situations

ICF Awareness

3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be under the ‘veil of ignorance.’

3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be under the ‘veil of ignorance.’ Justice as fairness

Contemplation of Justice, 1935 James Earle Fraser Washington, DC

3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be under the ‘veil of ignorance.’

A ‘veil of ignorance’

4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust.

4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust. Principle of

DifferenceSocial and economic

inequalities are justified only if they benefit the least advantaged members.

4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust.

A virtuous “rising

tide…”

“Stramp” The Law Courts, 1973 Arthur Erickson Vancouver, BC, Canada

5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.

5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme. Denotation

word→world directed

US Supreme Court, 1935 Cass Gilbert Washington, DC

5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme. Denotation

word→world directed

Sydney Opera House, 1957-1973 Jorn Utzon Sydney, NSW, Australia UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2007

5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.

Exemplificationworld→word directed

5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.

Exemplification world→word directed

Schroeder House, 1924 Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht, Netherlands UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2000

5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.

Exemplification world→word directed

Frank Residence ( House VI), 1975 Peter Eisenman Cornwall, CT Interior view

6. Exclusion is unjust; a message of exclusion is a message of injustice.

6. Exclusion is unjust; a message of exclusion is a message of injustice. Signs etched in stone

US Supreme Court, 1935 Cass Gilbert Washington, DC

7. A work that conveys messages of its own injustice, is itself unjust.

7. A work that conveys messages of it own injustice, is itself unjust. Another short

argument P1. A work that conveys

messages about itself, is the architectural equivalent of moral advocacy.

P2. Architecture that “advocates” exclusion is morally flawed & unjust.

C. A work that conveys messages of its own injustice, is itself unjust.

8. Conclusion

8. Conclusion Thus, a work of architecture can be construed

as an autonomous moral agent.

QED

Thank You.