The architect as communicator : a dialogue of Copley Square

Abstract

Architecture is a dialogue. It is a communication between those who design and the society which they design in. The two are inseparable. The role of the designer, which I have chosen as an architect, is that of a communicator. A communicator participates in a design dialogue, which he may also initiate. He also responds and listens well to what society says. The success of the built environment comes through an improvement of this architectural dialogue. This thesis addresses the process of a public dialogue of design by initially viewing the participants in the conversation. The architect in society is an examination of the changing role of the profession of architecture, leading to many of the issues regarding communication. Society in architecture is the larger world which influences design of all forms. Design is not an exclusive ability of the design professions, but rather an element of all society. This dialogue is then studied in the context of Copley Square, located in Boston, Massachusetts. When looking at Copley Square, the physical forms are not the only reason for its success or failure, although they do play a significant part. In both designs resulting from the national competitions held in 1966 and 1983, the designers were of exceptional merit. Both designs met the objectives of their respective programs very well. What is notably different is the process which each solution was arrived at, the interchange between designer and society. Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates, designer in 1966, had relatively few guidelines and very little input from the community for which they were designing. Dean Abbott, of Clarke & Rapuano, designer in 1983, was responding to a clear set of guidelines reflecting community concerns. He then proceeded to work with the local community in a set process to further articulate the design of Copley Square. Copley Square represents an example of what a design dialogue can achieve, both emotionally and physically. From this, all designers, whether professional or not, can learn.