Living Architecture is not just the title of this column. For me, it is a point of view, a constant choice, and a way of life. Living architecture is a gift.
To view life as an architect means you stand from a perspective of creativity, seeing the beauty of the world around you unfold from the most grandiose mountaintop panorama to the tiniest detail of a mosaic tile. It means that you, as well as anyone with that creative gift, can pick out what is attractive and praiseworthy from the most mundane article and develop it to its potential. When an architect sees a huge rock or a gnarled tree in the middle of a site, he could decide to showcase its rough hew within the building he designs. If he notices the charming slant of sunlight, he might orient his windows to catch the rays. This ability is a gift of awareness, a predisposition to be awed by nature. However, you do not have to be an architect to own this gift. All one needs is an appreciative nature and openness to the good intrinsic in the world.
To choose to live as an architect means that you constantly decide to play an active role in the world as mover, creator, motivator, such that the work you do inspires, fulfills, and delights yourself as well as others. You are a dynamic player in the world. You can enable clients to concretize their dreams. You can direct and guide co-workers in accomplishing tasks. You can safeguard the environment and ensure the welfare of communities. All these important activities are directly in your hands and the ability to handle them is a gift. Not all people can boast of holding the same responsibility in their corner of society.
To live as an architect means you commit yourself to building up, improving, and making better any situation that life sets before you. Your every action is geared towards this creative role, whether professionally, personally, or spiritually. Ever attentive to the guidance of the Master Planner, living architecture means being co-architect of life. You must be accountable for every structure that rises from your hands, that it will be beneficial to its users and the community at large. You should be answerable for the people whose lives you touch, that your dealings with them are always fair and reasonable. You need to have integrity, an honesty to oneself that recognizes not only the person of this world that you are, but also the person you are meant to be. Discovering and improving yourself in these ways is the most precious gift of all.
Sometimes, it takes a while to realize your gifts. Occasionally, you may have to get jolted into finding them. One example of self-discovery I learned of recently is the miracle that happened to an old friend and colleague, Archt. Lourdes “Lo” Cabrera-Alviola. I have known Lo since our college days as a lively and likeable person. She had always been professionally aggressive, already talking of complex structures back when I was just designing my first house. Over the years, Lo and I lost touch, but I presume that she kept the same strong professional drive. A few years ago, I learned that she had undergone the trials of cancer, the pain and uncertainty of the affliction. However, as in the story of Job, armed with the same undying faith in the Lord, the continuing miracle of her healing occurred. She documented her journey of faith and discovery in a fascinating book, “Facing My Storms”, to proclaim and invite others to share a similar awakening. It is a gift she received that gets better when more people can share. (Note: To learn more about her book, get in touch with her at 09163212120.)
Now, we do not all need a painful jolt to wake us up to our blessings. In this season of gift giving, remember to cultivate in yourself the values of appreciativeness, proactiveness, and integrity, which are timeless legacies that no one else can give but you. Live with a view to finding the good in whatever life has to offer. Take charge and take responsibility for your corner of the world. Act to build up yourself, enable others, and better your surroundings. You do not have to be a professional architect to do that. Anyone can---and must—be the co-architect of his own life.
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