A Human Space for Architecture

Architecture was initially born to make up for the deficiencies of the human body. Humans needed structures for protecting themselves from the threats of nature, such as rain, snow, sunlight, humidity, wind, heat, and cold, so that they could spend their days in peace. The architecture that was born out of man's physical needs was pure in function and image. The simplicity of such primitive architecture was undoubtedly what enabled it to provide a place where people could both spend peaceful time with others and spend fulfilling time alone. What such scenes speak of is a harmonious relationship between nature and the small yet invaluable lives of humans. They are timeless scenes that have continued to reside deep within the memory of all humans since long ago.

As the ages have gone by, architecture's role has become ever more complex as people have come to entrust it with more and more of their hopes and desires. In the process, architecture seems to have gradually lost the functions and image it originally possessed. I believe architecture has grown distant not only from the human body but also from nature. If architecture can be made to once again embody its initial image—that is, as something that is compatible with modern life and the environment and also responds effortlessly to the real physical needs of humans; as something that carries a fundamental power that can awaken our primordial memories of man and nature; and as something that presents itself in an unextraordinary way as a place where anyone can be themselves—I believe that both architecture and humans will be able to return to where they originally belong.