Builders

What is socially engaged architecture?

No matter how we try to describe it or emphasize it, the point is: Building is an activity, strongly connected to creating. We build and construct, not only with our hands, but also with our words. One way or the other, we create something every single day, but what do we actually build for others with a socially engaged attitude?

Hello Wood’s second book is named Builders. The book is presenting projects of Hungarian architecture with a focus on social engagement from the 21st century. It involves projects concerned with shared and social responsibility, and defines the importance of the fact that it is good to build, it is important to build, building means looking forward.
When it comes to architecture we usually think of walls, roofs, windows; or in a more sophisticated case, aesthetic forms, perhaps artistic value. However, architecture is much more than that: it relates to elements such as philanthropic missions, social involvement or social responsibility, the creation of communities, a behavioral pattern. Moreover, it means an active influence on mentalities of its users and the inhabitants.

The Builders book presents accomplished projects, where being socially responsible, open minded, capable of cooperation and reaching out is not only a professional or architectural matter, it’s a necessity. Together with this, it points out that everyone has a chance to be active and take a role in achieving goals which concern their direct or less direct environment, whatever professional skills they may have. It leaves us with a message, that everyone can join the process of building, and thereby contribute to the forming and maintaining of a community.

 

Builders book

Authors: Borbás Péter, Cságoly Ferenc, Fajcsák Dénes és Fábián Gábor, Fehér Bori, Holczer Veronika, Hüttl Sarolta, Irimiás Balázs, Andres Lepik, Kemes Balázs, Michael Müler-Verweyen, Oroszlány Miklós, Pozsár Péter, Somogyi Krisztina, Stein Júlia és Tátrai Ádám, Turi Attila, and the members of  Debreceni Alkotóműhely

Translation: Klaniczay Anna

Published by: Hello Wood Ltd.

Publishing year: 2016

Printed by: Mester Nyomda Kft.

Special Thanks: Goethe-Institut Budapest, BOOOK KIADÓ, MOME Építészeti Intézet Description/summary

Photos: Roland Peltán-Brósz