Perspecta 45, Agency - The Yale Architectural Journal

Architecture has always been intimately intertwined with its social, political, and economic contexts; major events in world history have had correspondingly dramatic effects on the discipline. They are all catalysts for architectural response and resulted in a diversification of the architects portfolio. Yet far too often, architects simply react to changes in the world, rather than serving as agents of change themselves. This issue of Perspecta takes a broader view, using the concept of agency to explore the future of architecture. The retreat from liability, the barricade of theory, and the silos of specialization have generated a field that is risk-averse and reactive, rather than bold and active. Instead of assuming that architects can only throw up their hands in despair, the editors of this issue of Perspecta invite them to roll up their sleeves and get to work.