Celebrated on the first Monday of October, this year today, World Architecture Day is a day of appreciation toward the works of architects and their great architectural works of brilliant designs, architectural engineering and innovation. Architecture is beyond just structures and buildings. It encompasses every aspect of human life. Architecture leaves a wide impact on human life and society. And the theme for this year, Architecture for Well-Being aims at celebrating architects’ commitments toward our society, ecosystem and cities. Learn more about this year’s theme on SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
History
In 1985, the International Union of Architects (UIA) established World Architecture Day to draw the public’s attention to issues which were concerning cities and habitats. This was then decided to coincide with the UN World Habitat Day, thereby declaring to celebrate World Architecture Day on the first Monday of October, the same as UN World Habitat Day.
Theme
In correspondence to 2022 being designated as the UIA Year of Design for Health, the theme for World Architecture Day 2022 is Architecture for Well-Being. This year’s theme has been chosen to reinforce the union's commitment to promoting health in buildings and cities through evidence-based design. “The idea was simple to celebrate World Architecture Day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat,” informs UIA’s press statement. It further adds, “This World Architecture Day, we will go beyond the role of architecture in making our lives better, by protecting, developing and restoring health to examine how architects can better contribute to the physical, emotional, environmental, financial and social wellness of all humankind while having a positive impact on the environment.”
Additionally, the UIA will be hosting a webinar on how architecture can and should contribute to well-being on Monday, 03 October, 2022 at 14:00 (CET). The webinar will be moderated by Ruzica Bozovic Stamenovic (Serbia) and will include a presentation by Thiago Herick de Sa, Department of the Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization (WHO).
Image credits: UIA