EditThe tale of the architect and his Ideal City
Journalism, with its ceaseless pulse, is nothing but dull
Over the years, I’ve penned thousands of articles, but this one, sparked by a simple joke, stands as my briefest to date.
A young architect, fresh out of university and brimming with ambition, envisioned crafting a futuristic city: a dazzling utopia filled with sprawling parks, shimmering lakes, and elegant homes for joyful residents. Yet, his first job was far humbler: designing the elevator shaft for a stark concrete tower.
Ten years later, still youthful but tempered by reality, he scaled back his dreams. No longer a city, but a vibrant neighbourhood, complete with a kindergarten, cosy theatres, and a bustling shopping hub for contented locals. Instead, he was tasked with designing another elevator shaft for yet another concrete monolith.
Another decade passed, and the architect, now in his prime, adjusted his aspirations further. He longed to design a single, innovative building – modern apartments for delighted families. Instead, predictably, he was assigned yet another elevator shaft for a soulless concrete structure.
After ten more years, the architect neared retirement. His employer, in a rare gesture of appreciation, offered him the chance to choose any project he desired. With a wry smile, the architect replied: “I’d like to design the elevator shaft for a concrete building.”
I first heard the architect’s joke as a young man and chuckled heartily. But it left a lingering thought: I refused to mirror his fate.
Journalism, with its ceaseless pulse, has rarely been dull. I’ve been fortunate to gather a trove of tales to share with my grandchildren, should they lend an ear. Yet, there have been moments of monotony when the architect’s endless elevator shafts crept into my mind. In those quiet hours, I would resolve anew: I will not end up like him.
At times, I have listened as colleagues voiced their disillusionment with the shifting tides of our profession. Yet, rather than succumb to their gloom, I’ve held fast to a quiet conviction: there is a brighter path forward.
EUalive is my vision of that ideal city the architect never built.
Today, it starts as a dream. But with inspiration at its heart, I hope it will spark others to turn hopes into reality.
Updated: April 29, 2025 - 07:13
