Monday, February 23, 2015

Should the AIA ban Architects from designing prisons?



In a New York Times article on "Prison Architecture and the Question of Ethics" Architect Raphael Sperry advocates for the ban on certain forms of prison architecture. As stated in the American Institute of Architects' code of ethics and professional conduct, "Members should uphold human rights in all their professional endeavors."

Sperry, who is also the president of Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility, believes that "Architects have an ethical responsibility to uphold human rights." Defending this clause should include the prohibition of architecture that would promote execution and torture, and would bring the profession in line with the same standards as lawyers and medical professionals.






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