Domestic violence in architecture

THE EDITOR: The most insidious, crippling and challenging problem facing the profession of architecture today is “shelter and settlement violence,” generally called domestic violence. Insidious, is that the profession has failed to date, to accept, recognise, appreciate and solutionise for the prevalence of violence that emanates from the familial environment, which always include some form of shelter. Crippling, in that regardless of the beautiful structures built and secured, dysfunctional human beings, continue to wreak havoc, in and around such space solutions.

Challenging, in that the necessary research to inform curriculum design for programmes in architecture is not yet deemed essential, especially research to assist in behaviour change strategies. In addition, no attention is being paid to the increasing demand for “transitional homes,” for both men and women, who have been living in violent relationships. Said homes, obviously have to be designed, using an informed base on the “Psychological Effects of Enclosed Space on Human Behaviour.”

Until the majority of architects stop believing that architecture is a profession for architects and is instead, a service to mankind, which shapes space to provide maximum comfort, increase production levels and reduce frustration levels, eventually contributing to balanced human beings, we will not be given the opportunity to have as an ally, one of the most important partners in mankind’s quest for full democratic development, namely “gender sensitive architects.” Hats off to modern day architects like Colin Laird who in my view realises that the two most critical components of architecture in the future will be “Green and Natural Growth Architecture.”

DONALD BERMENT
Secretary Men Against
Violence Against Women