Buildings as Objects of Care in Aesthetics (2020) Sanna Lehtinen
The article explores the evolving nature of urban environments confronted with rapid urbanisation, technological advancements, and environmental changes. Lehtinen proposes to combine urban environmental aesthetics with intergenerational ethics, emphasising care with the goal of developing an understanding of the built environment that considers the needs and values of future generations.
The author explores the role that architecture is playing in shaping the future and argues that today’s decisions and actions have a significant influence on the future appearance and functionality of built environments as well as the character of these spaces.
The next chapter introduces Christopher Groves’s idea of linking intergenerational ethics to the concept of “care” which is valuable for understanding how architects deal with uncertainties and responsibilities related to the future. It suggests that attempting to control the future is likely to be futile, but it also rejects the idea of complete determinism. It encourages a nuanced approach that balances the recognition of uncertainties with the responsibility to make thoughtful decisions for future generations.
Further on, Lehtinen delves into the complexities of architecture and its relationship with time, intergenerational dynamics, aesthetics, care, and sensory experiences. She encourages readers to consider the long-lasting impact that architectural decisions have on future generations and the role played by aesthetics in moulding the potential experiences of those generations.
The next chapter begins by discussing the concept of care in relation to large-scale built objects. It highlights an art project by Lindsay Rowinski, where she physically embraced large elements of the built environment using artificial arms. This project aimed to inspire people to view their surroundings differently and emphasised the underrepresentation of touch in discussions about the built environment. Next she explores the complex nature of care, aesthetics, and decision-making in the context of architecture and the built environment.
She emphasises the importance of understanding the evolving relationship between humans and buildings, the challenges of preserving heritage while also adapting to the future, and the role that aesthetics and sensibility have in shaping our surroundings. Additionally, she raises questions about the ethical dimensions of new technologies used in construction and the impact they have on the built environment’s aesthetic and experiential qualities.
The author advocates for the integration of intergenerational ethics into urban aesthetics to foster a future-oriented perspective on the built environment. She emphasises the need for ethical considerations in planning, design, and maintenance, recognizing the long-term impact of these decisions on future generations. This holistic approach aims to address the urgent environmental challenges while promoting a more sustainable and ethically grounded approach to urban development.
Ioana Ramona Cecălășan
Universitatea Tehnică din Cluj-Napoca
Lehtinen, Sanna ‘Buildings as Objects of Care in Aesthetics’ in ‘Aesthetics in Dialogue: Applying Philosophy of Art in a Global World’ Eds. Zoltán Somhegyi & Max Ryynänen, Berlin: Peter Lang, pp. 223–236. (2020)