Richard Bryant on Architecture and Travel

What is the importance of architectural tourism?

Architectural tourism is one of the big growth areas in the travel business. Of course this has existed since the wealthy of Europe began their “Grand Tours” in the nineteenth century. Later Egyptian artefacts, Greek ruins, churches and cathedrals became the focus of attention but more recently with explosion of gallery and museum building, art has become the new attraction.

The more specialised architectural tourist may well research particular buildings of a favourite architect and travel with the primary purpose of seeing those examples. Many people now like to take a weekend “city break” to enjoy the cultural and architectural highlights of especially major European cities. This gives pleasure to a huge number of people and can only widen the knowledge and interest of the general public in this area.

I am not convinced that travelling is essential for most people especially bearing in mind ecological factors. I personally caught the bug a long time ago and can therefore not in all fairness discourage others. I can remember at Architecture School visiting buildings around Europe and finding it so absorbing and addictive that I continually asked myself, “how can I make a living travelling and experiencing great architecture?”

It seems I have found a way. Only by living and breathing architecture can I truly feel the experience of a building. Experiencing other cultures, food and attitudes are essential.  When I have a gap between projects I experience withdrawal symptoms and count the days until my next trip.

What do you think is the added value that architecture creates within a city?

Were do you draw the line between building and architecture?
Visual interest, texture, scale, sense of place are all part of the experience. If one imagines ones favourite cities they will always include these characteristics maybe punctuated by key buildings new or old.

Without architecture a city is nothing. Architecture is the stuff of cities. The very essence.
When people have gone, structures remain. The buildings/architecture of today are creating the visual history for tomorrow.

What is the importance of Architectural events worldwide? What are the profits for a city holding this kind of events?

Worldwide publicity; Influx of tourism and all that that brings with it. Encouraging a dialogue giving an opportunity to discuss new ideas between the public and architects.
The Venice architectural biennale and the London Architecture week have become incredibly successful attractions.

Impossible! There are just too many to edit down to ten..

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