ARCHIVE:
Rachael Pigg
Rachael (she/her) is Senior Architect at archangels ARCHITECTS.
During her 12 years at the practice, our projects have evolved as a ‘design for living’, where architecture and interiors go hand in hand. Rachael sees the architectural and interior backdrop to a client’s life as the perfect canvas for inspiration and a way to enhance their daily existence.
She is invested in delivering people centred designs that reflect and respond to their occupants’ lives, through considered listening of their needs and aspirations.
What does it mean to be an Architect?
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the role and purpose of an architect within society today. I studied in an era of ‘starchitects’, where commercial designs were particularly encouraged to be monuments to form and function, creating public sculptures to be revered or disliked. The bigger the buildings that you could design, the better. The people working within these buildings could become an afterthought.
The architect has many tasks to perform when delivering a design, and we should recognise that people are themselves an integral feature and influence upon architecture. Obviously so with residential projects, but also in every building created. All of it requires a tremendous balancing act of collaboration.
This might be why I am drawn to events and exhibitions that consider the person behind the art and design, and how these two aspects intertwine. One such exhibition currently held at the Pallant gallery is the first museum exhibition of works by Dora Carrington in 30 years. A neglected Bloomsbury group British artist, whose non-conformist life bore a strong contrast to her paintings, albeit with their sense of watchful foreboding and broody hills.
If Dora were still around, she would feel at home in our new inclusive networking event, hosted by us, that mixes like-minded LGBTQIA+ artists, creatives, and allies across the arts industry, providing a safe space for inspired connection. The event is called ‘Outwardly Creative’ and is on Wednesday 9th April 630pm to 930pm at HELM Gallery – a new contemporary art gallery in the centre of town. Our guest speaker will be announced shortly, and we have a creative experience lined up to encounter. We would love to see you there!
Elsewhere, at HELM gallery’s sibling venue, Rockwater, House of Cybele is a new artful gathering aimed at bringing artisan makers, trades, designers within the architectural design industry together to celebrate their unique skills and learn from each other.
For those who are both artists AND makers, the self build centre open day dovetails nicely with a 2 day course offered by the Brighton Permaculture Trust, teaching us to build a house from straw bales.
Reflecting on other creative crossover in the art and design industry, Fabrica Gallery are hosting a Brighton International Animation Festival. It is run by animators and so even more opportunity to meet and learn from a talented group.
As future architects progress through their training, it might be useful to experience the taster day at University of Brighton. This is an event to gather insight into the realities of practising architecture and start to consider how design is shaped and informed by inhabitants.
Architecture is slow fashion in some respects; however, society is ever changing, and design must embrace that. Our client’s present and future homes cannot be assumed to be a ‘one size fits all’.
