The Value of Architecture.
From the authority of economy to the reality of the architectural object (2014)

 

In times of crisis and uncertainty, we re-evaluate things. Our perception of what is meaningful tends to change. It is clear that architecture and the built environment are valuable. We can use objective formulas to calculate a building’s value by comparing construction or maintenance costs with sales or rental income margins. The figures recorded in accounts can testify to the value of architecture. This may be a rather dull example, though. Nevertheless, it provides evidence for addressing the question of architecture’s value, which seems strangely underdeveloped. Due to the inherent nature of architecture — its concrete and representational forms, functionality, technical ingenuity and cultural and social context — discussions about architecture and its relationships often diverge. If we assume that the value of architecture is an obvious aspect of its existence, we miss out on a crucial discussion.