Have you ever been to a building/ place/ any city where you talked with people and revived the memory, again and again? Well yeah! A lot of time, of course, you’re an architect or going to be one, either if you are or not, you have experienced it, haven’t you?.
The energy exchange that takes place between humans and places creates a dialogue that is then narrated and hence deepens the connection by developing an intimate moment. Yes, that’s the kind of bond architecture creates with the human mind. Architecture has never been just about planning, zoning, materials, or structures, but it was always about creating an expression for users, satisfying their needs, and responding to the context.
Yes, Architecture is more than just a building! Yes, that’s where the architect’s role comes into play! and yes, Architecture has power to connect us! Its explanation can be penned down as follows:
1. Senses; when perceived intimately
“Every touching experience…is multi-sensory; qualities of matter, space, and scale are measured equally by the eye, ear, nose, skin, tongue, skeleton, and muscle.” ~Juhani Pallasmaa
In the book; “The eyes of the skin”, Pallasmaa writes about how architecture leaves an impact on human senses, and is perceived diversely. Also how our lives are always revolving around visual sense, but there is so much more than just that. The human touch which is the sense of all the senses sees architecture through the eyes of emotions and connects one’s mind for the time being.
At the point when we see the surface, we unknowingly begin reenacting its material sensations and recollecting when we have experienced comparable sensations. We feel alleviated by a wood handrail worn smooth by many hands, regardless of whether we never touched it, our mind and eyes are obviously cooperating with our different senses (along with proprioception, interception, and thermoception) to watch what we think. We see the truth in what we are seeing (not a printed recreation!)
2. Spiritual satisfaction one is always looking for
Tracing back to the ancient Hindu temples which are seen as the energy centers, were built on the principle of attaining an atmosphere, which allows a human being to find positivity and where mediation happens effortlessly.
Earlier locations of temples were based on maximum radiating electromagnetic fields, so that when an individual circulated clockwise around the idol(placed over a copper plate; attracting most of the magnetic field through the earth) in garbhagriha absorbs maximum energy through vibrations and circulations. All the rituals and activities a worshiper performs in a temple was designed to charge a person from within.
Traditionally, these rituals combine all the five senses; A touch of earth, sound of the bell, eyesight captured by the lamp, fragrance of the flowers delivered to the deity, and lastly the taste of Prashad provided by the priest. It is not only about the Indian rituals but the sacred architecture speaks of human connection with architecture in all ways to look at.
3. User activity is the prime agenda; not a thing to underestimate!
Physical spaces that we create are actually to accommodate the activities the occupant performs, hence the prime concern here is the daily basis activities one does. Understanding the brief of Who-Does-What-Where is an architect’s strategy that brings the sense of belongingness to an occupant’s mind and develops engagement.
4. Architecture is not just a physical entity
Tangibility can be seen in materials and built form but what about the intangible ideation process behind that, which takes almost everything to its completion. The intangible materials like the light that can just be felt or seen, user activities that can only be performed, and the visual connection that can only be experienced.
Hence, architecture is not only weaving the skin of any building that somewhere can become a part of the skyline of a city but it is about designing the spaces within it.
5. Architecture is a language
“…..In a strange way, architecture is really an unfinished thing, because even though the building is finished, it takes on a new life. It becomes part of a new dynamic:…. how people will occupy it, use it, think about it.”
A quote by Daniel Libeskind hits hard to understand the meaning of architecture. He is fond of music and stated architecture as a musical language that can even seduce one if read intimately. Buildings are not just built by materials or hands or through the drawings, but actually through ideas and narrations that give them a new definition.
6. An individual has his own narration for a space
Diversity is a reality in every frame. Every individual has his own experience; They make their own stories building a sense of connection to the place. Social media is grooming at a high rate, people post their pictures of trips/ city/ building/ a place they visited or even the people they met, the same spot has multiple stories; hence, can be seen with multiple angles, narratives, and experiences.
7. Architecture creates ever-lasting impressions
“….My architecture is easy to understand and enjoy, I hope it also is hard to forget”
~Oscar Niemeyer
The beauty this profession holds is the impact that it creates on human lives. Heard about people changing homes with their changing jobs? People taking holiday breaks and wandering to places, hotels, and even documenting & vlogging? Even while watching a movie or any video, places stuck in mind; don’t they? And they live with us forever.
We all are born in different places with different cultural and traditional beliefs. As we grow older, we travel to our reach and take some pieces which interest us and leave some behind, that’s all how we learn and explore. And that’s how architecture built a connection between humans and built/ unbuilt-form.
8. Architecture is not just what you see, but it is what you live in
“Architecture is sculpture,
…with the gesture of human occupation” ~ Charles Correa
“The gesture of human occupation,” he says. A gist of liveliness adds timelessness to any architectural work. Space turns out to be a place and becomes worth creating. The place becomes a reflection of one’s life once occupied, brings cultural identity, and creates value.
Constructing Reality
In the END, Architecture is all about constructing REALITY!
References
- https://medium.com/@holos.design/architecture-and-the-senses-35b7dc1c0a82
- https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/science-behind-hindu-temples/238252
- https://youtu.be/DNqL3iA5xKE
- https://youtu.be/yEkDosanxGk
- https://www.ted.com/talks/thom_mayne_how_architecture_can_connect_us/transcript?language=en
- https://www.azquotes.com/author/24966-Daniel_Libeskind
- https://libeskind.com/publishing/tedx/
