Looking out, Looking in

Contemporary architecture can be both inspiring and controversial –and can divide public opinion. There is often a fractious line between like and dislike. As more a more of the world’s population choose to live in cities, the importance of imaginatively designed buildings, especially public buildings and spaces is of growing importance - be their uses as art galleries, libraries, terminuses or recreational spaces etc. Whatever the architectural merit of these public spaces, opinion can still be divided, on both on the facility’s merit of design, its usefulness to the masses (not jut the well off and social elite), its cost effectiveness and value for money. This series of photographs attempts to go beyond the usual architectural photographic stereotype. The symbolically featured vertical line-form represents the sometime division and hostility that such buildings can engender This line also represents however, that contemporary public buildings and spaces at their best, such as the Miró Fundacio, Barcelona where this series was taken, can bring people from all parts of the world together, create a dynamic fusion of ideas and creative forms - and help energise, and sometimes revitalise, cities and its peoples. N.b The title “Looking Out - Looking In” refers to an architectural journal article I read about the need for architects of public buildings to “look out” to meet the need of public perception, not only their own “inward” design sensibilities.