In the first episode, Amina Bouayad, who is an architect and urban planner, shares thoughts about her professional development and insights into the complexity and changes in architecture and urbanism. It is Bouayad’s career path —from growing up in Fez, studying architecture at Paris-Val-de-Seine, and later working in New York— that provides a framework to explore the dual dimensions of the profession: conceptual design and practical execution. She explains that early in her work for architectural firms, abundant projects concerned residential and commercial applications, often including adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of historic buildings. Her experience represents a lesson in that she argues that although design may start as an abstract activity, its success comes from how it adjusts on-site, in regulations, and in the craftsmanship of the workers at the construction sites—who so often bring in rich practical wisdom.
She contends, in fact, that it is an iterative process—one that links the dream-like qualities of architectural vision with the anchored realities of delivery. The talk broadens out from the personal and onto bigger themes: noticeably, the tug-of-war between historic preservation and modernization. The Medina of Fez, from the viewpoint of Bouayad, was held to be an exemplar of how historic urban core areas can be rejuvenated without erasing their soul. UNESCO recognition, coupled with investments by Moroccan and foreign stakeholders, allowed for the adaptive reuse of traditional structures into functional, sustainable spaces. She juxtaposes this against New York’s penchant for demolition and redevelopment as an act of historical erasure that undermines urban identity. While technological developments in BIM and even virtual reality would have a very profound impact on architectural practice by way of better visualization and coordination, such tools are far from common today due to high costs, the opposition of conservative practitioners, and the problem of implementing such tools within the speed and tempo required in this line of work, according to Bouayad. The discussion further evokes how regulations outline both architectural and urban projects. Bouayad stresses the importance of understanding rules not merely as constraints but as frameworks that guide creative innovation. She draws parallels to art, referencing Picasso’s philosophy of mastering rules to break them effectively. This nuanced view encourages architects to engage critically with regulations, balancing adherence with inventive reinterpretation to address contemporary challenges. The episode wraps up with Boyette’s recommendations of the books on architecture and urbanism foundation, reflecting her belief in lifetime learning. From Jane Jacobs’ critique of urban renewal to Rem Koolhaas’ theorizing around modern cities, these works provide salient perspectives in which to navigate the thorny junctures of design, community engagement, and technological advancement in an ever-changing field.
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