Hanif Kara's Essay in MASS Book Advocates for Transformative Architectural Practice

In an essay titled 'Metronomic Practice: From Despair to Possibility,' structural engineer and educator Hanif Kara argues that architectural practice must fundamentally change to address global crises. The essay appears in the book 'Seeking Abundance: Design, Ecology and a Flourishing Planet,' published by Axiomatic Editions and edited by William Richards. The volume, co-edited by Sierra Bainbridge and Alan Ricks, presents the regenerative design work of Model of Architecture Serving Society (MASS), focusing on projects in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kara contends that architecture is in a state of flux, expanding into new fields while retreating from others as it responds to the climate emergency and social injustice. He asserts that architects must diversify their approaches, remain adaptable, and take responsibility for historical damage caused by the built environment. The essay highlights MASS's departure from conventional practice, embracing an approach rooted in immediacy and community needs, particularly in the Global South. It emphasizes a systems-thinking methodology, where architecture is viewed as part of a larger web of social, economic, and ecological systems. Examples include the Butaro District Hospital in Rwanda, designed as a holistic intervention addressing public health, local employment, and supply chain sustainability, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in the U.S., which engages with historical reckoning. Kara also discusses the integration of craft and technology, the importance of local knowledge, and an ontological perspective where architecture shapes human experience. He calls for architecture to be adaptive, responsive, and embedded within its surrounding systems, ultimately redefining practice as participatory, ethical, and process-oriented. The essay suggests that by integrating systems thinking, innovation, and traditional wisdom, architecture can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.