October is Architecture Month — designated as such because World Architecture Day is October 7, 2024. World Architecture Day (WAD) was created by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 1985 and is celebrated annually on the first Monday of October. This day also coincides with the United Nations World Habitat Day, aligning the architectural community’s efforts with global urban development goals.
Each WAD aims to highlight an issue that architects can address through design and spend the day focusing on how those responsible for the buildings we live, work and play in can contribute to society’s health and well-being.
The theme of World Architecture Day 2024 is “Empowering the Next Generation in Participatory Urban Design” emphasizing the role of young architects in urban planning and development. The UIA encourages young architects to engage in participatory processes, contributing fresh perspectives essential for sustainable development.
This month, particular emphasis is placed on fostering resilient urban economies where cities drive growth and recovery through innovative and sustainable practices. Key areas of focus for this year’s WAD include energy efficiency, waste management, use of sustainable materials and promotion of sustainable mobility. All areas that Watkins Architect takes into consideration in our building designs.
These efforts aim to create environmentally-friendly cities that reduce dependence on external resources. Architects enhance citizen participation in decision-making, involve communities in the design process and promote the appropriation and care of public spaces by playing a key role to play in:
- Shaping resilient and sustainable urban environments.
- Advocating for social justice and sustainable practices.
- Engaging in urban planning processes.
- Promoting adaptive reuse and revitalisation of existing structures.
- Incorporating circular economy principles and sustainable construction practices.
Active participation is essential for building cities that prioritize the well-being of residents and the planet, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
At Watkins Architect, we are especially passionate about how our building designs interact with their surroundings. We have architects on staff who are LEED certified and have the ability to assist in design, planning, implementing, and completing the appropriate paperwork to have your building become LEED certified. Our staff has assisted many commercial buildings as across the United States to become LEED certified. Learn more at https://watkinsarchitect.com/leed/.
The celebration of World Architecture Day 2024 will showcase successful youth-led projects that have transformed communities and improved urban living conditions, highlighting the importance of participatory urban design. By involving young minds, cities can harness innovative ideas for sustainable and resilient urban environments.
Not an architect? You can still celebrate and appreciate!
Many of us take the built environment for granted. It’s hardly surprising; the buildings where we walk past, live, work or while away our leisure time are literally part of the scenery. The way they look and function becomes an everyday — and often barely noticeable — element of the world.
But every building was designed by someone who had a specific purpose in mind. From the pyramids at Giza and the Pantheon in Rome — which, to this day, still features the largest externally unsupported dome in existence — right up to the homes we inhabit or the gleaming facades of state-of-the-art offices in world-class cities like London, all are the result of someone’s vision.
Many cities will offer walking tours of their most innovative buildings and structures. Take a day to visit various landmarks around where you live — or road trip to a larger city to experience the vast innovative buildings and architectural approaches that exist within our living environment.
Architecture shapes the world we live in, enhancing lives, mitigating the impact of climate change, boosting culture and innovation, and promoting social interaction.