In “Story of Human’s Role”, I wrote about human’s enslavement of animals etc,. Then what do humans do to the Earth? I questioned Ms. Mika Fujii as an architect what she thinks about human’s role to Earth. Thank you Mika for participating in my blog.
“Q & A with Ms. Mika Fujii”
Q: You are a registered architect with a second class license in Japan, right? What made you to become an architect?
A: The truth is that because I somehow thought over and over again to “Let’s take the exam to become a registered architect with second class license”. It felt like this feeling was mounting from the core of my body. I just followed this feeling so I am what I am now.
In addition, a few years ago, I was involved in a restoration project for a building for three to four months. During my commute by train to work, I happened to sit down many times in front of the advertisement that said “Why don’t you take the exam to become a 2nd class licensed architect?” Among many other advertisements, I always sat in front of this advertisement. So I simply thought “Why shouldn’t I?”
I thought “But why?” and “From now?”. I was just about to become 50 years old then and many excuses and reasons came to my mind not to take the exam. Friends who I grew up with said “We are thinking what to do after retirement in 10 years, but are you starting this now?’ or “Do you have a place to work after you pass the exam?”. I thought that, too. If I start thinking about all these things, it was just endless. And if I start thinking about my life and what will happen in my future, I had no ideas. “What am I doing?”, I felt overwhelmed. So I decided to put these thoughts aside. I told myself every day “I will do the best I can in for the future in front of me”.
As studying for the exam was awfully hard, I needed to put my “thoughts aside”. When I got depressed I continued to put “thoughts aside” and try to put all my efforts to what’s in front of me. When I failed the exam a few times, I questioned “Is it ok for me to do this?”. When I think back, I felt overwhelmed by seeing young people in their 20s and 30s solving the exam so easily. In my life, I come across with many thoughts of “Am I ok?” and “What am I doing?” (It may be just me, that’s true.). Every time when questions like this came, I just put them aside.
After spending days like this, I am who I am now. I am discovering myself by working as an architect! It is obvious but my past work experience does not apply. I did not even realize this at first. When certain things were pointed out to me, I insisted on (I didn’t even know that I insisted) my old and familiar way of approaching the work. In the beginning, I could not even handle a Google search. I could not reach or search what I supposed to find, I was pretty depressed. When I think back how I actually dealt with the work I know that it was important to be true to my heart that mattered. This is important. I am still continuing to put aside my “excuses” and “reasons”.
Q: When we were talking before, you were saying that when constructing a building and when piling into the ground we should do this gently to Earth. What do you pay attention to?
A: It is necessary to use a large post when we are building a large building. Such posts drive vigorously into the Earth so that a building will be built. High-rise apartment buildings are very popular. They are cool! I think so, too. However, there is a significant load to be applied to many various areas where we cannot see from outside.
Realistically, global warming for example, the percentage of load that is applied to Earth is more than other areas of concern. It is not the matter of right or wrong, realistically we need buildings to live. I try to be aware of my relating to such areas. I do not know what I can do but if everything is related to consciousness and volition, it is important to direct my consciousness and awareness towards my work.
Q: Can you tell us, as an architect, the role of humans to Earth?
A: After I started working as an architect, I once thought we, as a matter of course, have been protected by walls, ceilings and floors since we were born. As a matter of fact, this is fortunate. In order to build a wall, a foundation is necessary, to make a foundation, another ground work is necessary. The foundation is built on the ground, therefore, land and soil are necessary.
We cannot live without a building, humans and Earth. Isn’t it so? I just thought by typing this Q&A, they are actually all unified. I think they actually interact with each other. Not only by theory but interacting by essence. Not only what we can see through our eyes but also the areas where we cannot see what actually exists. Naturally, being in unified space, we reach to the magnificent question (theme) of what are the roles of humans, roles of architectures and roles of Earth. It sounds magnificent but it might be not. Where we are standing now might be important, it might be more simple, it might be already in front of us.
I am not sure if these answered your questions, but I am living my life in such a way for now! Thank you very much!