Liège-based architect Daniel Dethier questions the evolution of the architect’s trade. By concentrating on the HOSOMI project, he has placed the building’s life cycle and innovation at the centre of his concerns. This modular system constitutes a precisely formulated answer – from the prefabrication of elements in the workshop and from their possible adaptation according to the needs of users, to the future recycling of their component parts.

In the course of our interview, Daniel Dethier does not mince words about the future of the profession: ‘The profession has changed. Worse, it has gotten poorer! Architects face so many constraints that they can no longer think about either the notion of housing or that of use. They no longer even have the opportunity to innovate. Economic reason seems to have gained the upper hand!’ He then adds: ‘Most buildings currently lack architecture; the underlying reasons are complex.’ In his view, traditional architecture is no longer able to meet the new demands in terms of sustainable development and normative evolution. But the Liège-based architect has no intention of throwing in the towel. That is why he has devoted almost 20 years to developing a modular system that meets the current criteria of performance and flexibility.