Week Five – Part two
The master students were asked to research and and develop a broad understanding of their assigned Socio-Technical Practitioner. Their research must explore:
– the training of your practitioner
– the influences of your practitioner
– the methods of your practitioners
– the theories that guide your practitioner
– -the ‘tools’ your practitioner uses to execute their work
The following Pecha Kucha style presentation was prepared by Sanjay Jeevan
Eduardo Jorge Anzorena was born in Argentina in 1930. At the time, the Great Depression had affected the country and many families were forced to leave their homes. The Anzorena’s moved into a 1 bedroom apartment in Buenos Ares which had shared kitchen and toilets. Jorge grew up in this community style living with influences from Germans, Greeks and Italians who also lived in the building.
His interest in humanities began unveiling his perceptions of peoples wisdom and experiences in a variety of roles form different backgrounds and cultures. This heterogeneity of different cultures and their ability to co-exist shaped Jorges social world.
By constantly learning about new projects and approaches and by staying in touch with “the most relevant and committed people,” Anzorena soon developed his own insights about how to improve housing for the poor. He concluded that “participation is difficult but necessary.” His experience had confirmed that programs executed by government and aid agencies failed if the intended beneficiaries were not involved actively in the process. But involving beneficiaries was much easier said than done.
Anzorena formulated five Radical Rules for everyone from organizers to government officials to architects like himself.
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He spent time working side by side with Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta. Unable to speak a word of the local vernacular, he became a mute volunteer, bathing, feeding and giving medicines to victims of poverty.
He concluded that it would be better to try and help people with the understanding that they can do things for themselves.
Anzorena launched the SELAVIP Newsletter through which he communicated the best of these ideas to subscribers throughout Asia and Latin America.
In 1995, Jorge received the 1994 Ramon Magsaysay Award for international understanding, and for devoting himself to the wrenching human dilemma of the millions of people in the cities of Asia today who lack a decent home
In conclusion, A truly universal architect needs to be an architect for everybody,
including the poor. The architect must believe in mutual aid; that people do things
better together and that all willing people can collaborate effectively to improve
things for the poor. In doing so, the architect will find many creative and
rewarding ways of helping the poor to help themselves.
Aformal Terrain 