Citation
Finch, E. (2005), "Editorial", Facilities, Vol. 23 No. 13/14. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2005.06923maa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
I frequently use the quote from Winston Churchill to explain the importance of facilities to modern day society. The quote goes:
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We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us
In fact Churchill was recounting the impact of a bombing raid in London which destroyed much of the parliamentary building in London. The full quote was:
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On the night of May 10, 1941, with one of the last bombs of the last serious raid, our House of Commons was destroyed by the violence of the enemy, and we have now to consider whether we should build it up again, and how, and when. We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us. Having dwelt and served for more than forty years in the late Chamber, and having derived very great pleasure and advantage therefrom, I, naturally, should like to see it restored in all essentials to its old form, convenience and dignity.
Facilities managers know all too well how buildings shape organisations and individuals: sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better. The papers in this issue clearly illustrate this point, ranging from the dramatic threat of SARS, from leaking buildings, to school buildings influencing children’s learning behaviour. What a responsibility facility managers have!
Edward Finch