On Beauty and Architecture

On Being Seen: Beauty and Architecture

I’ve been thinking a lot about what feeling seen and feeling thought of means across industries. Most recently, I’ve been thinking of two industries in particular: the makeup industry and the architecture industry. The two are seemingly different, but both have at least one thing in common: beauty. Now, I don’t mean only surface beauty, like seeing an incredible building that takes your breath away when you walk by, but deep, intimate, connective beauty, like being able to show up as your real self, the person you’ve always been and be recognized by others as 100% you.

Gaudi. Location: Barcelona

Williams. Location : Los Angeles

Jari Jones for Calvin Klein, Location: New York

Mented cosmetics

In both industries, certain underrepresented groups have been excluded. It doesn’t matter if it was intended or not, I will keep saying this-we must move from intent to impact if we want to manifest true, deep change.

The above examples represent international architectural beauty, underrepresented creators, models who are trans, and makeup created so that everyone can find their perfect shade of nude. These are all dimensions of diversity we should be thinking about (and more!)

On exclusion in architecture:

I recently was watching a design show (I watch too many to count) and learned about the architect to the stars, Paul Williams. He designed many famous houses for many stars in Hollywood, but due to systemic racism, ironically was not able to live on the streets. I can’t imagine how deeply wounding that would be. To be the creator of magical, iconic and historic spaces and not be able to fully partake.

In addition, why was this the first time I was hearing about this amazing figure in design? Why were we not talking about the irony of his brilliance being manifested and realized but his humanity minimized due to being a Black man in America? These stories of exclusion need to be told more broadly. They need to be part of the fabric of how we talk about design specifically and innovation in general.

On architecture

Quemuel Arroyo, Global Head of Community at Charge and mobility expert, demonstrated what bringing a multitude of perspectives can do to create a better outcome.

From the New York Times:

Arroyo asked about the textural demarcation between areas where people walk and where they sit. Sanders explained that blind users could feel them with a cane. “Are these detectable edges beveled?” Arroyo asked. “Most people in wheelchairs hate that. You want to make sure that’s detectable but not a trip hazard.” He also noted that none of the bathroom sinks were low enough for a seated person. “In a world of Covid and germs being shared, my biggest pet peeve is flat surfaces, because the water pools,” he said. When he reached for the tap, standing water dripped on his lap and wet his sleeves.

A sink low enough for a seated person will be helpful for others-people who are shorter in stature, children and more. The “curbed cut effect” is on full display-when you build for one group, you improve lives of many.

We all come to our work with our backgrounds and experiences. It’s impossible to solve for everything alone; we must commit to ensuring that leadership comes from those who are underrepresented. The outcomes are better for everyone when we do.

On representation in Architecture:

-Black architects in the US are about 2%.

-In the UK, over 90% of architects are white.

When we think about the institutional and systemic disparities (see redlining, read Kat Holmes’ book, Mismatch for more)

When industries don’t reflect the world, neither do the outputs and outcomes. You cannot create for a group or create inclusively if all groups are not reflected and represented.

Conversely, when you do ensure that underrepresented groups are part of the process, innovative and beautiful solutions come to fruition.

An example is this incredible spiral tub created specifically to be wheelchair accessible:

On beauty & AI:

As an avid magazine reader (architecture, fashion, design, news and alum magazines, yes I have a problem,) I’ve noticed an uptick in tools and articles highlighting AI and cosmetics.

Questions I have:

• Who creates these and was it a diverse group?
• How does skin tone, texture (age), factor into the inputs?
• Given many times skin conditions can appear differently, were experts from all backgrounds consulted? (Remember, product inclusion is end to end.) For example were dermatologists , cosmetologists who were older, or of color, for example, brought into the fold?
• Would being able to use tech to create, print and receive makeup essentially in real time diminish negative experiences of underrepresented users? (I went to a high end makeup counter and the woman working there, who was white, immediately got the sole Black employee, assuming she couldn’t help me and never asking me if I needed anything.)

All of these questions lead back to 2 core ones: who may be left out with current technology? Who must be a part of all of the processes? (Note: I’m working on not saying getting a seat at the table anymore, unless it’s to quote the incredible Shirley Chisholm. A few articles pointed out the salient fact that a seat at the table still means that underrepresented groups have to be granted permission to have the power to be around the table.)

Conclusion

In the cases of these two industries, beauty is not simply in the eye of the beholder, it’s in the eye of the affected. When we start to think about technology helping these spaces, we should think about how we broaden the circle for innovators, designers, beauty subject matter experts and consumers to bring their perspectives to the table so they are built for everyone, with everyone. The beauty industry is meant to ensure everyone feels comfortable in their skin, but that’s impossible if not everyone is factored into the process and end product. Similarly, architecture, from our homes to our work places to our malls can go from positive, safe, enjoyable spaces to places that can cause anxiety and even dread I’d they weren’t built for us or with us in mind.

Let’s all commit to ensuring everyone feels beautiful in whatever way is meaningful to them. Go beyond the surface. Break up the status-quo and create the world we wish to see reflected.

Views are my own.

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