Architectural Design

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1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

ethics section final_:ava basics ethics template 7/26/10 10:08 AM Page 183

Working with ethics

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InIn architecture, architecture, the the pride pride of of man, man,

hishis triumph triumph over over gravitation, gravitation, his his

willwill to to power, power, assume assume a a visible visible

form.form. Architecture Architecture is is a a sort sort of of

oratoryoratory of of power power by by means means of of

forms.forms.

FriedrichFriedrich Nietzsche Nietzsche

The overall ‘linear plan’ allowed a

structured segregation of patients

according to sex and symptoms of

illness. In each wing, the more ‘excited’

patients were placed on the lower

floors, farthest from the administrative

centre, and the more rational patients

were on the upper floors, closer to the

administrative centre. This was aimed to

make the patients’ experience more

comfortable and productive by isolating

them from more distraught patients,

although one account suggested that

patients lived in dread of being

demoted to the noisier and dirtier

wards. The New Jersey State Lunatic

Asylum was also built on a hill, which

offered better views of the expansive

surrounding grounds and encouraged

uplifting walks.

The asylums were intended as places of

positive activity where patients were

removed from the causes of illness and

provided with medical therapies. A lack

of evidence suggesting patients were

becoming permanently cured and no

reduction in the incidence of mental

illness meant that the mental healthcare

establishment sought different forms of

treatment. Kirkbride Buildings became

relics of an obsolete therapeutic

approach.

Is it more ethical to design

a public sector building, such

as a school or hospital, than it is

to design a commercial private

sector building, such as a hotel

or office block?

Is it unethical to design buildings

that segregate people?

Would you design a building for

the mentally ill?

p158 U

1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

ethics section final_:ava basics ethics template 7/26/10 10:08 AM Page 183