Masters No More

(Wed, Sept. 17th)
     In the history of architecture, the definition of what "an architect" actually is has varied drastically. According to Refabricating Architecture, such people existed that were thought to be "Master Builders." This description assumed that the Master Builder was the architect, builder, product engineer, and the materials scientist all wrapped up into one convenient person. The Master Builder designed his building from the inside-out and knew the techniques to create the design he was attempting to achieve. Fillipo Brunelleschi is probably one of the more well-known master builders. The idea for the structure and engineering for his dome on the Santa Maria del Fiore, now world-renowned and featured in many action blockbuster movies (you know the ones I'm talking about), was devised solely by him and his brilliant mind. Being the materials scientist, he designed new ingenious ways to build the dome, including screw jacks, and also used iron in his search for something to counteract the lateral forces of the duomo.
     The fact that one person is able to do all that is mind-blowing in today's world. Maybe this is because the buildings today, unlike Brunelleschi's dome, has so much more to it than it's exterior (and sometime's interior) shell. Today we have technology coursing like thick veins through the walls of our homes and every building we step into today. Air conditioning ducts, electricity wires, sprinkler systems, and so many more have so many specifications now, they all need separate specialists for each system. To put that all on the architect's shoulder's today would be impossible for anyone.
     The same goes for material scientists. Architects of Brunelleschi's time simply had masonry, iron, and wood to work with while builders today have different varieties of masonry, steel, iron, wood, concrete, and more advanced materials such as polyurethanes and carbon fibers.

     There is simply too much information for one person to be in charge of now.

This is why the whole idea of a "Master Builder" has ceased to exist. The responsibilities are now divvied up into multiple, completely separate jobs to account for all the information that must go into a building to make it safe for the public.
     Sadly, there are now buildings being built that are less efficient than when Master Builders ruled. This underdevelopment in efficiency springs from the lack of communication between all parts of the building processes, such as the engineers and architects. (A daily struggle supposedly.)
    Thankfully, people are starting to realize this and in turn are making firms so both architects, engineers, material scientists, and builders can work alongside each other and remedy all the flaws to make a more efficient building.

So will the Master Builder turn into a Master Building Team? We'll see soon enough.