BEYOND THE BUILT

We have been living in peculiar times. The lines between reality and “virtual reality’’ have been blurred. As an aftermath of lockdowns, adapting work-from-home environments, and constant exposure to screens, the virtual world became a mere extension of reality. People started hunting for means to extend their existence within the virtual. How does architecture situate itself in plots made of clouds and data? This issue is an attempt at finding human voices in a world that values AI over people. Finding humanity in the language of 1s and 0s. Where do we fit in between the flickers and the sheets? As architects, our value to society tends to stand only with that of built evidence. What is there to be said about that which cannot be physically grasped and the process that leads to what one day could be built? Dear readers, we hope you can find answers or somewhat of a lead into the importance of process through this issue shedding light to you, whether that is of insight or blue light. Facing forward and understanding of the changes ahead, we implore you to ponder what it means to see Beyond the Built.

- Maryam N. Mohammad, Fatemah AlHayen