Architecture, as the definition says, is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings. That implies architecture being a problem-solving-based practice. But, in reality, one might agree that architecture is the product of culture, climate, and criticism-based application in a given time frame. Throughout the past, architecture seemed to posit religious and cultural influences. Therefore, the buildings differed from place to place, time to time, and from one built form to another leading to the categorization of different eminent styles of architecture.
The Classic Greek and Romanesque right up till the Modernism and Post-modernism in the late 20th century predicated a powerful cultural influence. Coming from the times when architecture defined eras, we have reached the times wherein there isn’t any single dominant style that prevails.
The premise for 21st-century architecture is that it aims to use better materials and technologies for better buildings that are fundamentally sustainable. Therefore advances in technology should, and has, brought out advances in Architecture.
No-Style Is The New Style | 21st century Architecture
Architecture is one of the disciplines that will never stop evolving and development in technology will lead to architectural development. Thus, with constant technological innovation, architecture has also become more unexpected, inventive, and intuitive.
And, with people being ambitious and competitive, more than ever, each one of us strives to create something new infallibly, therefore bucking the formation of any style or tradition. This inclination is destitute of the customary visual cues and traits of architecture. Additionally, the availability of advanced technology and innovative construction mediums has aided the current path of No-style architecture.
A Common Global Vision
Technology has unquestionably made the world a smaller place. Resultantly, people are operating on a global scale now, which has become today’s norm. And, people have learned about the traditions and practices of locations foreign to them. Ultimately, leading to the genesis of design considerations of what architects hope would be universally appealing. Therefore, the architecture of the 21st century follows the style of global architecture.
Global architecture is defined as a style devoid of the local customary signs yet strongly responding to the urban milieu. With a prime intent to not be repetitive and provide a unique solution to every design problem, contrary to the name, global architecture style focuses on the tiniest details and requirements.
Climate Change: The Most Pressing Global Issue
Climate change is indisputably the most complex issue impacting the world this century. It has therefore necessitated the reappraisal of the habitual modus operandi and its amelioration. The world now gazes at a more eco-accommodating method of design wherein the desideratum for sustainable buildings will be the calling card of the designers.
The multifaceted nature of environmental problems calls for a multi-disciplinary approach. Technological advancements have bolstered architecture discipline with the specialized aptitude of various professions intertwined with it. Hence, architects today are encouraged to focus on sustainable and innovative building designs. And research on different aspects of transformations and developments that instigates sustainable living.
Disruptive Innovation
Disruptive innovation theoretically means rapid innovations and technological advancements replacing the preceding one in terms of their practice, usage, and market value, ultimately leading to their obsolescence. Implying that the rate at which a person adapts to the new norm has been slower than the pace of new technologies emerging. Disruptive innovation in the process has given birth to computational design, generative design, artificial intelligence, and robotics, and many other emergent technologies.
The previously mentioned design approaches and applications have changed the rational design process forever, leading to the extraction of the most efficient and optimum architectural practices.
“I believe that most of these technologies will become redundant and obsolete in a short time. So how to be future-ready? To learn techniques and methodologies, and not just present software or technology that exists today. We have to understand the problems that we face today, the ones we have solved in the past, and how we have dealt with those problems. Prepare ourselves and become problem solvers and great thinkers. I think that is a skill set we all have to level up.” — Sushant Verma, rat[LAB]
The principal advantage of these new practices is the ease of application to problems of any scale. And, the digitization of architecture has ameliorated multi-disciplinary collaborations and has engendered smoother workflows. Technology is blurring the lines between designing and construction/production. ‘Smart practices’ and technologies have made people and architecture ‘smarter.’
Budding Fresh Perspectives | 21st century Architecture
Access to digitized data and analytics has let architects explore and bring new efficient solutions to the table. The premier effect of technology has assuredly been on today’s architects, and together they have changed peoples’ perception of architecture. And, practitioners of disruptive technologies have and continue to redefine architecture.
Architecture today is much more than designing and constructing buildings. Thanks to emergent technologies and innovations, architects are pursuing new horizons and are pushing the boundaries of architecture.
References:
- Sambiasi, Soledad. 7 Architectural Considerations that are Shaping Future Cities. ArchDaily, 2019. ArchDaily, https://www.archdaily.com/927262/7-architectural-considerations-that-are-shaping-future-cities. Accessed 17 August 2021.
- Senibi, James Senibi James Senibi James. The Role of Technology in the Architecture of the 21st Century. medium.com, 2019. medium.com, https://medium.com/@senibijames/the-role-of-technology-in-the-architecture-of-the-21st-century-3dd301e9dc50#id_token=eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IjQ2Mjk0OTE3NGYxZWVkZjRmOWY5NDM0ODc3YmU0ODNiMzI0MTQwZjUiLCJ0eXAiOiJKV1QifQ.eyJpc3MiOiJodHRwczovL2FjY291bnRzLmdv. Accessed 17 August 2021.
