Monday, August 30, 2010
What is Architecture?
Architecture is comprised of built objects created by goal oriented human beings. Architecture must be built with a goal in mind or it is just art. Architecture is often times defined as shelter, where the goal of the builder and/or designer is to provide shelter for a person. There are many other goals for architecture, but if there is no goal, then it is not architecture. Architecture must also be built, or it is just an idea.
Architecture is about creation not imagination. In the same way that someone is not creative without making or doing something, architecture is not architecture without being made. It simply must involve creation. You can imagine all the things you would like to make, change, influence…but without getting out of bed or off of your couch, you can not call yourself creative or a creator. Due to the nature of architecture as a mental and physical influencer, without an actual wall to interact with, there is nothing to physically interact with. Architecture must be tangible… must be someTHING.
Architecture is able to affect people on both a mental and physical level. Due to the nature of the human mind, we are unable to move through space without preconceived notions about what we are getting ourselves into. These can be referred to as schemas that are influenced by our memory and allow us to expect what will happen in a restaurant, shopping mall, or doctor’s office. In this way, we are affected by architecture on a mental level because we interpret space in our own way. We can even go as far to say that architecture elicits emotions since our emotions are also based on memories. Architecture also affects people physically by often times moving people in different directions and affecting their navigation.
Architecture is essential to the existence of humanity and should be approached with much ethical consideration. Architecture serves the goals of its inhabitants and it is the responsibility of the builder/ designer to make sure that after the building is inserted into its community, that it still supports, not weakens, the inhabitants. Many questions come into play such as the proper program, the cost of the structure, the social influence of the architecture and so on…
What can architecture be? Architecture can be a vehicle for enhancing the lives of humanity and enriching the human psyche. By questioning architecture, humanity can question what is possible in many subjects such as physics and drama. By allowing people to have more control over their movement through space, people can engage with architecture and the built environment on a deeper level. When used in a proper manner, architecture can better the life quality for humanity…or so I hope.
Architecture is about creation not imagination. In the same way that someone is not creative without making or doing something, architecture is not architecture without being made. It simply must involve creation. You can imagine all the things you would like to make, change, influence…but without getting out of bed or off of your couch, you can not call yourself creative or a creator. Due to the nature of architecture as a mental and physical influencer, without an actual wall to interact with, there is nothing to physically interact with. Architecture must be tangible… must be someTHING.
Architecture is able to affect people on both a mental and physical level. Due to the nature of the human mind, we are unable to move through space without preconceived notions about what we are getting ourselves into. These can be referred to as schemas that are influenced by our memory and allow us to expect what will happen in a restaurant, shopping mall, or doctor’s office. In this way, we are affected by architecture on a mental level because we interpret space in our own way. We can even go as far to say that architecture elicits emotions since our emotions are also based on memories. Architecture also affects people physically by often times moving people in different directions and affecting their navigation.
Architecture is essential to the existence of humanity and should be approached with much ethical consideration. Architecture serves the goals of its inhabitants and it is the responsibility of the builder/ designer to make sure that after the building is inserted into its community, that it still supports, not weakens, the inhabitants. Many questions come into play such as the proper program, the cost of the structure, the social influence of the architecture and so on…
What can architecture be? Architecture can be a vehicle for enhancing the lives of humanity and enriching the human psyche. By questioning architecture, humanity can question what is possible in many subjects such as physics and drama. By allowing people to have more control over their movement through space, people can engage with architecture and the built environment on a deeper level. When used in a proper manner, architecture can better the life quality for humanity…or so I hope.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)