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I pay my respects and acknowledge all Traditional Custodians of Country and on whose land I live and work. I recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
Always was, always will be.

Hey reader

it's been fun times at unmeasured central over the last week. I've just got back from Mad Max country, otherwise known as the desert around Broken Hill. So forgive me if this useletter is a little more unhinged than usual. To see was I was up to over the last week check my Instagram feed.

Whenever I spend time with people entirely removed from architecture I'm always struck by how differently they might see and operate in the world. It's more pronounced when I spend an extended period in this company, like I did out in the desert. I feel called out. I'm challenged to reflect on what I've held to be true. I learn about how I see the world but also how I might need to rethink that. It's a valuable experience. A gift.

There's so much we can learn and rethink by taking the time to listen to others and by attempting to see the world through someone else's eyes.

I got you

Michael

rethink through someone else's eyes

Soon after I finished architecture at university I joined an artist's studio. It's where I met Allan Giddy who organised the Desert Equinox show I was just in. Like many graduates, I thought I knew a lot after 5 years of full-time architectural study plus work experience. But I soon discovered how wrong that impression was. It became my first wake-up call to my indoctrination into an exclusively architectural way of seeing the world. It's a longer story but suffices to say, it's a lesson I've never forgotten. I've sought ever since to try and seek other perspectives in order that I might rethink and re-see.

Most architects see the world in a similar way. To be fair, we're no different to any other profession in that. It's a form of group think, reinforcing the status quo and it's not always healthy. It's therefore helpful to be able to step back for perspective. The easiest way to do this is to see through someone else's eyes.

We learn more from those who might question us, than those who agree with us.

We fall into confirmation bias. We only see those things that reaffirm our beliefs and disregard those things that might challenge them or bring them into question. The stronger our convictions the harder it is to spot our biases. We're surrounded by many examples of this. I'm sure you've had many exasperating conversations with other people who will not change their own beliefs. Keep in mind, it's likely you're not different to them - the only difference is in what you believe.

Challenge what you believe. Find someone you disagree with. Look for productive disagreement. Be open to considering how you might be wrong. Think about what might change your mind. Then be willing to change your mind.

I'm reminded of a quote from George Bernard Shaw,

“Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

What might you be able to change or rethink if you take the time to see through someone else's eyes?

You got this.

Let's chat

At unmeasured I take the argh out of architectural practice.

Helping architects rethink and find joy in their practice.

I'd love to hear your story. Book a free 30 minute chat now.

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