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Federica Buricco implements progressive ideals in her work as senior associate at CallisonRTKL

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Can you pinpoint the thought, whether yours or someone else’s, that led you to a career in design?

Looking back, I can’t really remember a time in my life when I wasn’t drawing. It was a pursuit that gave me great enjoyment and from an early age gained me praise from my peers, teachers and family. Although I would experiment with different styles and media, I had a recurring fascination with imagining and illustrating new ‘spaces.’ A telling indicator, perhaps, of the career I was destined to embark on.

In terms of the design and architecture industry, what do you consider the most radical era or pivotal moment?

The late nineteenth century remains a period that always captivated me. Here, the focus of many designers turned to cities and we saw the rise of urbanism as a discipline – the exploration of the relationship between the built environment and its inhabitants. It is also during that time that Spanish architect and humanist Ildefons Cerdà came up with a radical expansion plan for Barcelona, creating a grid-like district outside the city’s old walls. 200 years later, I feel that we are in the midst of a pivotal moment again – we’re finally appreciating the impact of the built environment on the human experience and the planet and we are collectively taking greater accountability for this.

Post-war architecture still represents an optimistic urban renewal based in affordability and social cohesion. Image Credit: ROLAND MAGNUSSON / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Which radical thinkers have been inspirations to you in your career?

I have always been inspired by Jan Ghel, the Danish architect and urban design consultant based in Copenhagen. He pointed out that the Modern Movement created a focus on the design of singular buildings at the expense of a cohesive urban environment, ultimately creating fragmented streetscapes with underutilised areas. Rather than becoming places that tell the story of our neighbourhoods and our cities, or providing a canvas for human interaction, they have instead become an afterthought. Realising the true potential of the space in-between buildings means directing, or rather redirecting, efforts towards the design of our social places and the optimisation of our community assets.

Who are the radical thinkers who inspire you now? (Not necessarily forever or for a lifetime – just now!)

Alejandro Aravena, the Chilean architect known for his socially conscious building projects that attempt to break down economic inequality in urban areas, has always inspired me. He promotes the concept of incremental buildings, whereby buildings are appended or improved by owners over time, allowing citizens to take control of the regeneration progress.

Mike Lydon and Anthony Garcia’s book Tactical Urbanism explores the value of short-term action and its positive effects on urban landscapes

Who outside the industry can architects and designers learn from?

We should be learning from anthropologists, social scientists and urban sociologists as ultimately we need to understand better the society that we are designing for. With this comes the replacement of a one-size-fits-all approach to design with a more holistic view where projects can truly benefit a community. Aligned to the global climate crisis, we should also learn more from experts in climate change, exploring new ways to make our cities future-proof and resilient.

What will lead the way for more radical thinking in your/our field?

Unequivocally, it is the discussion around never demolishing or building another new building again; the most sustainable building is the one that is already exists. The production of concrete, steel and other materials is hugely detrimental to our planet – we must adopt the principals of recycling and repurposing underutilised assets if we are to create a sustainable future for generations to come.

Could you recommend a book/article/blog that inspired your thinking?

Tactical Urbanism by Mike Lydon and Anthony Garcia. Tactical Urbanism, also known as DIY Urbanism, Planning-by-Doing, or Urban Prototyping, is a new movement that is defined by action. The approach refers to a city, organisational and/or citizen-led approach to neighbourhood building that uses short-term, low-cost and scalable interventions to catalyse long-term change.

Federica Buricco finds that nighttime is often the period where she refines her ideas. Image Credit: SOLARSEVEN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Could you name something that you consider radical design of the time, or perhaps still to this day?

Beth Chatto’s revolutionary concept of ‘dry gardens’ formed a blueprint for enabling green sustainable landscapes despite increasingly hot summers and dry winters. This is particularly important in areas like the Middle East where many of my projects have been based. Her principle of placing the right plant in the right place was revolutionary at her time and is still valued today.

I think best with…

With a pencil or pen in my hand, finding a quiet moment where I can sketch, focus my efforts in solving a problem or come up with a new design solution before sharing with friends and colleagues.

I think best … (e.g. first thing in the morning/ last thing at night)

Generally my best ideas come late at night, after I have considered multiple aspects of an issue and the brain almost magically connects the dots.

I think best when… (e.g. in a gallery/at home/outside/over drinks/with friends/ on the bus)

As architects we are used to working in groups. It is through the process of sharing your ideas and incorporating feedback that the best ideas and projects can be conceived. It is incredibly satisfying to be amongst colleagues, letting minds and creativity flourish.

The thought that keeps me up at night is…

Often I see developments that have quite a narrow focus on commercial value and returns when in fact, by taking a longer term approach and investing in the wider perspective of where and how the development fits into its urban context, these schemes would be more successful and perform with lasting value across a wider and holistic set of values. That lack of sensitivity keeps me awake at night. I think in the property design world we need to be a whole more sensitive to the environment and be actively involved with communities and appreciate the impact our work has on the people and planet.

The thought that gets me out of bed each day is…

We are lucky to have the chance to imagine new futures, and we have the responsibility to ‘do good’. Every line we trace will have an impact on those that enjoy the spaces that we design.

Do you like to think with, or think against?

I always try to have an independent opinion.

Dry gardens, a methodology created by Beth Chatto, enable a location in any climate to maintain a green space. Image Credit: J.PHOTO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

If you weren’t a designer/architect, where do you think your way of thinking would have led you?

When I was younger, I had an interest in philosophy and biology, but the truth is that I would probably be in another design-related field. I really enjoy the creative process the most and being able to collaborate and contribute in bringing an idea from concept stage to realisation, at any scale.

Could you describe radical thinking in three words?

Futuristic, independent and uncompromised.

What’s the most radical thing you’ve come across today or this week?

The case for making low-tech ‘dumb’ cities instead of ‘smart’ ones. Shoshanna Saxe and Julia Watson call for redirecting some of our energy toward the use of ancient technologies to overcome issues in urban landscapes increasingly vulnerable to floods, adverse weather, carbon overload, choking pollution and an unhealthy disconnect between humans and nature. I agree that this approach should be the starting point, that can then be improved by the adoption of smart technologies that allow monitoring, collect data, and respond to those type of threats with greater efficiency.