Venesa Alicea-Chuqui

1. We[1] are not islands[2], but a mountain range that connects rhythm, soul, body, folded diaspora[3], atmosphere, expression … not singular nor contained. Like the Caribbean, our existence is a series of interconnected events, evidenced through soil, seeds, precious metals, scattered stones across the ocean floor, stolen artifacts, displaced lands, exiled people, and unexplored imaginaries.

Architectural practice needs a significant transformation to respond to the urgent issues of climate change, social and racial injustice, unjust labor practices, and rapidly changing new technologies. If we revisit our professional objectives as architects and embrace a more critical view of our roots, tools, scope, services, and processes, we can be better equipped to dismantle oppressive structures and build a more just future.