Racing Alone: The Dangers of Regionalism, Isolationism and Trade Secrets

E. Crocker

 

With a nod to Nader Khalili for the use of his phrase “racing alone”, this paper will discuss two phenomena that have emerged in the last forty years since the signing of the Charter of Venice. The first is the sad dichotomy that has developed between architects and architectural conservators. The second is the proliferation of regional schools of thought, in this instance in the field of earthen architecture, that have led to a decided competitiveness and territoriality that has worked against advancing the technologies and traditions of earth building.

 

Discussion of the first premise, the dichotomy between architects and preservationists, will outline the gradual separation of two disciplines that should, by any standard, work harmoniously together. The issue is clearly exemplified by the separation in academia of architecture programs and programs in historic preservation in the same institution. In a certain respect this is not surprising since conservators tend to be thinking in terms of (and revering) the past and architects often see themselves as the avant-garde of societal evolution. But the distrust that has developed retards the exchange of information – in both technology and design – that would enhance both professions. The paper will explore the cause and effect of professional distrust and offer recent examples of projects that have successfully overcome mutual suspicions.

 

The second premise, the proliferation of local and regional organizations working to advance earthen architecture, will be discussed in a global context. Every region of the world that has an earthen tradition typically is home to several organizations that work independently of one another but with the same goals. In some instances, programs and organizations work to link on a worldwide basis but descent into the friction of “competition.” An example is the friction between CRATerre and The Earth Architecture Center International (now The Earth Building Foundation). At least, in that case, the complaints were on the table. More distressing is the unfathomable failure of the myriad organizations to communicate with one another. Some of this failure is based on the premise of “trade secrets” but even more is due to lack of knowledge of the fora for dissemination. The result is that most groups are wasting vast amounts of time and resources developing or refining technologies that have already been developed and refined; starting from scratch in the writing of codes and charters when flurries of the them already exist; and working strenuously to advocate in the public policy realm the interests of both preservation and new earthen construction without drawing upon the vast experiences of others. This, in the age of electronic communication, is absurd.

 

The paper will unabashedly attack the notion of regionalization, isolationism and trade secrets and offer ideas for unifying the dissemination of information through already-existing means.

 

469 words