Architecture's invisible protagonists

摘要

When speaking with architects, the conversation inevitably gravitates towards planning permissions, building law, construction law, zoning codes, monument protection acts, and, of course, liability issues. While there might be considerable differences between architects when it comes to their understanding of form and their ideological allegiances, they all seem to agree on one thing: regulations are suffocating the profession. Architects tirelessly proclaim that the legal stranglehold rules and regulations have over the profession chokes their creativity; the freedom of architecture is at stake. Yet, so far architecture's invisible protagonists - the laws, norms, rules, and regulations - have not been seriously taken into account when it comes to the writing of architectural criticism, history, or theory. Now, Architekturzentrum Wien (Architecture Centre Vienna) has risen to the challenge and has devoted an entire exhibition to the theme of rules and regulations.