Master Builder no more

Should the architect be a master builder? On first instinct, one would say yes because having the "master" title would make one think that means they are specialized in the field of architecture and know and understand every step it takes to create a building. But as of today, the role of master builder has fragmented and has created divided fields that work as separate entities. This separation is not necessarily a bad thing because it has obviously worked over time, but should we as architects be okay with knowing that other people think we only know how to design? Wouldn’t we rather be known as the architect who was heavily involved in the building process even after we turned the design plans over to the construction or engineering team?

The title of master builder is outdated. An architect as a singular person may not know everything about every field that relates to architecture, but we are always conscious about the other factors such as materials, structure, and construction. The increasing complexity of building designs have required more than one great mind to ensure structural stability and provide reason for materials through material science. Sure, an architect could calculate the structural loads, but having someone who is even better at calculating than you are check your work will ensure that the building won’t fail. 

“Refabricating Architecture” says that by getting rid of the title of master builder, we are relinquishing the title of architect as well to be simply known as designers. This theory is flawed because becoming a licensed architect takes years of schooling and an intensive exam. Through school, we take multiple classes that touch base on materials, construction methods, and structures. This doesn’t prove that we are skilled in all of those fields, but knowing we have a background in that information assures that every design decision made is thought out and has real world possibility. 

Brunelleschi is highly regarded as one of the greatest master builders. He combined the fields of architecture, building, product engineering, and materials science to create a new typology of building.  But what if Brunelleschi hadn’t understood the math? Or maybe he picked the wrong materials for the geographical location and climate. The building he so wonderfully created on his own would fail. Luckily, he understood the concepts of structure and materials and construction, but today, it is so rare to have a single individual intelligent enough to understand all aspects of creating a building. That is why Brunelleschi is so highly praised for his ground breaking work.

One person doesn’t need to embody every aspect of a master builder; rather we should push to bring all of the parts together to create a “master team”. As architects, we need to take back the title of architect to put behind us the days of being called designers. In order to do that, the architect has to make the decisions. If you want a design to work a certain way, prove it will and make sure the construction team follows through with your design. There is such a thing as having control while letting others carry out your foreseen actions. By moving toward the idea of a master team, each field can continue to specialize while also learning to better communicate and come together as one to make a design come to life. 

Lets just say this is the start of a beautiful "master team"