What is architecture?
The architecture is…
difficult to define, and even architects get confused when asked to come up with an unambiguous definition. If you’re looking for an answer with two lines below, you may find it here (or not).
This is an attempt to explore the wealth of possible approaches to this seemingly simple question.
Whether your first association is: “architecture is… elegant modern building design” or “… the collective human heritage of built environments around the world”, you may want to reconsider.
The term architecture…
with his Latino ancestry, architecture; means “chief builder,” and represents both the process and product of planning, designing, and constructing buildings, according to Wikipedia.
Or, as Louis Kahn so eloquently put it: “the thoughtful creation of space”.
Architecture has a practical and an emotional side. Whether it is the simplest human refuge or the grandest monumental cathedral, architecture reflects the human condition.
Many are those who have tried to specify the definition of architecture, once and for all, but I am not convinced that nobody has succeeded yet.
The first official attempt to define architecture was made by the Roman architect Vitruvius in the first century. According to Vitruvius, the combination of the three principles; durability, utility and beauty are what ultimately define good architecture.
Durability…
or, Construction technology is undoubtedly important in architecture, as is utility; and beauty is unquestionably desirable.
This definition, however, says nothing about the cultural, historical, political, or ecological implications of architecture. Perhaps these aspects were not so relevant in the first century, but they are definitely relevant today!
ArchiCulture…
Architecture is nothing more than an expression of the culture that surrounds the construction site. Through the individual and collective style of the built environment, we can extract a lot of information about the corresponding society.
History…
Seeing architecture as an expression of your culture is why it is so important to preserve historic buildings. They help us interpret our predecessors and thus increase our understanding of ourselves and our heritage.
Most of the buildings the world needs have already been built, and to a large extent, we are forced to reuse and redesign existing buildings to meet our current needs. To do this well, we need to fully understand the history of our buildings.
The political nature of architecture…
It is reflected in how a government cares for its existing built environment and how it prioritizes when it comes to future buildings. Are the new buildings extravagant and luxurious, while poor people live in sheds? Or are public buildings kept modestly while politicians emphasize social housing? Ultimately, it comes down to a political point of view.
ECOtecture…
Much of the world’s energy consumption is due to our buildings. Therefore, the development of sustainable buildings can make a substantial contribution to the ecological balance of the world. The architecture of the future (from now on) must take this into account.
Architecture…
in its essence it deals with the conformation of materials, space and light. It operates at the interface between art and technology, the urban and the rural, functionality and aesthetics, theory and practice. He is affected by the work of the architects, but belongs to all humanity.
“Life is rich, always changing, always challenging, and we architects are tasked with conveying in wood, concrete, glass and steel, transforming human aspirations into livable and meaningful spaces.” arthur erickson