Other Worlds: towards an expanded field of architectural practice

In this chapter, care is examined as a central concept in architectural research. By analysing communities through the lens of care, the intricate web of relationships that shape and sustain social environments is uncovered. This work seeks to identify and interpret care from various theoretical perspectives, critically engaging with its significance to both architecture and society.
In architectural practice, care involves a mindful, empathetic approach that goes beyond function to meet deeper needs, fostering spaces that respect human, animal, and environmental wellbeing. Care, as a way of being, makes life habitable and meaningful, challenging architects to create spaces that do not exploit but instead nurture connections. Taking responsibility for our built environments provides tangible proof of care's presence in our lives, influencing the social fabric and ecological balance.
Through diverse frameworks and critical reflections, this chapter invites readers to reconsider the role of "care" in architecture. It challenges conventional design thinking and encourages a fresh narrative about how we perceive, inhabit and narrate the city. This exploration of care offers an essential contribution to contemporary architectural discourse, bridging the gap between theory and practice in the pursuit of spaces that support an interconnected and radically sustainable future.