Undisciplined architectures

According to Lucien Kroll, “order reigns” could be the motto of mainstream architecture, that is that one pursued by international bodies, governments and universities. A demiurgic and technological architecture that has associated itself with the great powers by adopting their - homologating - idea of order. There is another, much more “undisciplined” architecture, however, that has long been following different paths, interacting with the “disorder” that comes from below and thus opening the door to an extraordinary collective creativity.

Seemingly, architecture has reverted to being a tool in the hands of the powerful and experts, losing all the vernacular wisdom of self-managed living accumulated over thousands of years. Apparently, architects have now surrendered to large public and private commissions, abdicating all critical function. And yet there is a current - a minority, but present throughout the world - that seems not only much more attentive to environmental and social issues, but also less self-referential and especially less inclined to obey the demands of the great powers. Building on the work and reflections of architects such as Geddes, Morris, Turner, Ward, Kroll and Illich, Paolella traces the experiences of hundreds of “anomalous” architects who have designed with communities outside of disciplinary languages and codified rules, without giving up their craft. Thus, a different model of architecture emerges and, in simple ways - and in tune with places and cultures - can activate inhabitants in the reconfiguration of their settlements. With surprising results.