Public criticism, at times outrage, at the state of our built environment often gets wall-to-wall coverage in our media. Finding fault with those who cry foul will get us nowhere. For we must pull up our socks and take immediate stock of the situation. Such dismay is both quantitative, related to the (lack of) organisation of buildings/spaces and over-construction, and qualitative, where aesthetics and quality synonymous with good architecture are sacrificed. While local planning policy is targeted towards regulating the former, there is something missing when it comes to achieving the desired quality of our built environment. The late Philippe Daverio, a renowned art historian and writer, stated: “We’re all victims of the architect. Architecture is the only art that you can’t help but feel. You can avoid paintings, you can avoid music and you can avoid history. But good luck getting away from architecture.” In my opinion, a statement like this perfectly encapsulates the responsibility, and impact, of our profession’s practice on society. It is about the practice of architecture that I, as a practitioner in the field, intend to write. There is a dearth of such writings. I feel...