If the situation in Australia is anything to go by, then in other western 'developed nations' the nanny state is on the rise. As nations become more economically developed, there is an added premium on life; life becomes more precious. With increased standards of living and life expectancy, each and every child is more more precious and their future more invested in. But the legislation that governs our lives also follows this trend, telling us all the things we cant do anymore and the consequences that result from breaking these new rules. I'm not discussing the big crimes, rather the small ones wether it be riding a bicycle without a helmet or smoking a cigarette in the "non-smoking" section of an outdoor terrace in a bar/restaurant. I am not going to argue a case for these things, but I do think they will have an influence on design. Design in the future is going to be as safe as ever, Australian standards will change in accordance with what is culturally acceptable. No more sharp edges, ramps will only become flatter. Electronic safety will become an increased feature, more CCTV and sophisticated security systems. As good as all these things are, I have never been a fan of these trends, because these minor choices we make should be ours and these laws impinge on our freedom and ability to take a few risks. Risks make us feel excited and alive, lets hope it won't make architecture boring.
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