Telling Stories Through Architecture
When we consider how stories might be told through architecture, the more obvious techniques might come to mind. Perhaps you recall seeing tales in the patterns of stained-glass windows displaying scenes of religious significance. You may think of the intricately decorated facades proudly exhibiting sculpted representations of myths and historical tales that were prevalent in ancient Greek architecture. Whilst these are certainly effective methods of architectural storytelling, it is important that we also consider the more implicit ways in which stories can be written into structures.
To celebrate the personal narratives of the people for whom a structure is designed, architects can honour the experiences and perspectives that make the client unique by incorporating features that uniquely uplift them, enhancing their stories. A building should support or improve a community’s story rather than disregarding or destroying it. If we design our built environment as a physical celebration of the diverse personal stories of the people who inhabit it, we can become not just architects but also storytellers. We can, like authors, convey profound meanings that encourage us to observe and consider the unique lives of people across the world.
St. Mark’s Basilica
The mosaic above the left door of St. Mark’s Basilica is a very clear example of how storytelling can be incorporated into architecture. The artwork tells the story of Saint Mark the Evangelist-the founder of the Church of Alexandria. His body was stolen from Alexandria after seven centuries by two Venetian merchants. While travelling back to Venice with the stolen body, the merchants came close to drowning in a storm, but claimed to have been rescued from their fate when St. Mark appeared to the captain and ordered him to lower the sails. The thirteenth-century mosaic can be seen by visitors as they enter the basilica, posing as a great example of how stories can be told through structural features to make those who encounter a building aware of its historical and cultural context.
Villa Peet
Villa Peet, designed by Studio Klink, is another masterful demonstration of the intersection between architecture and storytelling. Located in the Netherlands, the house is heavily inspired by Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The architects cleverly crafted the structure to reflect the surreal, unique environments that are central to the novel. As you move through the house, you experience the transitions between highly contrasting spaces, allowing you to feel as if you are entering new worlds through rabbit holes. In other words, the house acts as a physical invitation into a storybook and a refreshing escape from the world outside.
As for the white rabbits positioned around the house, it’s pretty clear that the architects wanted to place as significant of an emphasis as possible on the story behind the home. Just as Alice follows a white rabbit to Wonderland, we are encouraged to mirror the white figures by fully experiencing the building and immersing ourselves in the story the space is telling. These small details serve as much-needed reminders of how all architects can convey stories through meaningful home design.
The Impact of Architectural Storytelling
So, what is the impact of telling stories through architecture? Well, it depends on the stories that you choose to tell. You can commemorate the history of an area through architecture inspired by the site’s past. You can shed light on the issues affecting a community by designing a building that addresses or raises awareness of its needs. Quite possibly, the most impactful structures are those which tell the stories of their users, because in the same way that our life stories are unique, the spaces in which we live should be bespoke, distinctive representations of who we are and what our individual needs are.
Equality Vs. Equity
Consider healthcare, for example. People in need of medical intervention don’t all receive the same care. A broken arm isn’t treated in the same way as a heart attack. Now think about architecture. We need to recognise that in the same way that patients have individual needs, people need their homes to support them in unique ways. Beyond reaching equality by giving everybody a space to call home, we need to strive for equity, which would take into account the individuality of homeowners in order to provide them with shelters that celebrate their personal narratives. The beautiful thing about human beings is that we are all different, so we all need our homes to honour that by supporting us in different ways.
Works of architecture that tell the stories of humans honour people’s personal histories and encourage empathy. When we can learn to understand how even buildings can celebrate the narratives of those who experience them, we can edge closer to the powerful realisation that we have the ability to uplift other human beings by simply acknowledging and honouring their stories. And that is why all architects should strive to be storytellers, designing physical odes to the differences that make us all unique.
REFERENCES LIST
Grandmont, J. (2014). Venise, mosaïque du portail de la chapelle Zen – Basilique St-Marc.
Van den Brink, L. (2008). Villa Peet.
