THE PRINCIPLED ARCHITECT

THE PRINCIPLED ARCHITECT

Is it ethical to take an ethical position?

Presented by the British Council as part of the Shubbak Arab Festival
Organised by the Future Cities Project

William Menking, editor of the US Architect’s Newspaper, writes of China: "To suggest that providing high quality design justifies working there is slippery ethics". Son of a Libyan dissident, Hisham Matar says: "Any person who cares about justice and human rights needs to seriously consider going into business with the Libyan regime".

Austin Williams, curator of this event says: "Too many commentators are grandstanding on this issue. Holier-than-thou moral superiority is often the precursor to ruinous policy interventions… or pull-outs".

Are ethics a matter for individual conscience or should they be a social mandate?

· Should architects refuse the offer of work in so-called non-democratic countries?

· Do Western architects have a responsibility to speak out or should they mind their own business?

· Should architecture always aim to have a positive influence; or should it be - can it be - non-political?