Urban Doctors

Different from building in green fields, fysical and social structures are determining the design work on the existing, fractured city. This precondition sets demands to designers. For example, they must have knowledge of existing building and have to be able to judge their functionality and cultural value. They must recognize that the effectiveness of their proposals relates to their negotiability. And, additionally, they have to be able to respond aptly to complicated planning processes with all the related communication.

In this context it is questionable whether the routine definitions of architecture and urbanism are sufficient. The expertise of both professions has been formed in the typically Dutch practice of urban extension. For example, for already a long time the traditional design phasing in architecture does not relate to the key decision moments of most professional clients or to the planning procedures that need to be followed in the existing city. Moreover, in this digital era the turnaround time of the design is unnecessarily long. The possibility of engineering the modern city is hotly debated. The city does not sit and wait for the design policies and zoning plans to be finalized, but possesses its own dynamics. Initiatives are defined bottom-up as well.

Provided that we are prepared to thoroughly reformulate the contents of our profession we expect enormous opportunities for architects here. We sometimes call ourselves Urban Doctors. Urban Doctors practice as specialists and service providers. Pragmatic, targeted and culturally aware action is pivotal.

Urban Doctors examine and investigate and provide a diagnosis. Sometimes they stick plasters or write a recipe. If really needed they do not avoid drastic surgery or prosthesis. They are not ashamed of plastic surgery. It happens that they refer to other specialists. Wherever required they collaborate in teams. They accept second opinions or, indeed, seek advice themselves. And of course they explain clearly what their proposals mean. Every treatment and intervention is adjusted to a unique demand and posses its own time schedule and urgency.

Benefits are clear. The architectural thinking of Urban Doctors results in concrete things. They work swiftly. There is one central point of communication. The power of their urban design or strategic housing advice is based on conceivability. Advice of Urban Docters is countable and accountable. Investments and profits can be compared easily.

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New sense of realism

 ‘H. van der Heijden & R. Wessels’ approach is pragmatic and professional, which is not to reject aesthetics. The architects explain their approach as one which consists in accepting and evaluating individual needs, and in heightening existing facilities. But they are certainly not minimalists who -absorbed with subliminal aspects of everyday experience- often ignore what is merely ordinary. Pieces of furniture are for once allowed to appear on the plans of the dwellings. The mundane and exceptional, the small and the large, the new and the existing are all recognized and are ascribed the same value. Every aspect of the given situation is embraced with the same forthright, even-handed attitude.’

Irénée Scalbert