I broke the loo 😳. In sub-zero temp 🥶. On an island made of reeds.😵
Wily’s response taught me more about architect mindset than most projects I’ve sat through.
An architect designs and builds systems that are robust and fit for purpose.
Thoughtfully.
Intentionally.
And always within known constraints.
Every design decision is a trade-off, and weighing that up takes a systems thinking mindset:
🤔 What will this decision impact?
🤔 Where and when might that impact materialise?
🤔 And what’s the mitigation should it turn out to be critical?
So if you fancy yourself an architect, ask yourself this:
Could you build a self-sufficient floating village with nothing but reeds?
That’s what the Uros people of Lake Titicaca have been doing for hundreds of years.
We’ve been staying with our host Wily and his family, and he’s shared their age-old skill of working with nature — building a home on the highest navigable body of freshwater in the world.
Every decision is intentionally thought through.
Each hook, door, beam.
Solar, heating, light.
Plumbing and sewage disposal — especially useful for guests who might have *cough* accidentally broken something in the loo in a freezing snap overnight 😳
“Is ok,” Wily said, and strode off to get his tools.
Which I’m fairly sure is Uros for
“Chill. I got this.” 😎
It’s been genuinely eye-opening to see how they live with joy, with so little.
No internet, save for guest bookings.
No screens.
No technology.
Kids working alongside adults — sewing, knitting, building, repairing, all by hand.
No stakeholder conflicts to navigate.
No management by steering committee.
Just Wily, his tools, and the centuries-old skills of knowing exactly what he’s doing.
Turns out “Is ok” might be the most #BadAssArchitect thing you can say on a project.
Especially when you’ve architected your build properly. 💪🏻
