The need for architecture developed when early men demanded shelter. It was the neanderthal man who first designed a simple cave to protect themselves from the harsh weather. Gradually, architecture evolved as a profession, and our lives have been impacted by it ever since. Over the years, architecture has been influenced by climate, and spaces were functional and habitable. But, in the present scenario, function blended with aesthetics and with many advancements in all aspects, the influence of architecture is more than ever.
Impact on the Psyche
Architecture defines the culture of a place and is also a part of it. It helps differentiate spaces on a broader level. It adds character to an area and changes the perception of how people notice streets. Architecture encourages you to look at a place from a different perspective. High skyscrapers with abundant use of glass give a sense of a commercial area, that has undergone large-scale development. While modern architectural style helps foresee the future, vernacular styles are nostalgic and walk us through our past. Architecture in public spaces provides a sense of safety and impacts the psyche of the user’s mind. Commoners view buildings as tourist attractions and are often stunned by their aesthetics.
Is the impact positive?
Architecture affects each individual differently. Everyone is diverse in their perceptions and analysis of space. Every space is carefully designed to be functional and has a positive impact on everyone. While it is satisfactory to the majority, a few might have a contrasting opinion. Every aspect of architecture affects the subconscious of a person in multiple ways. From façade to interiors, color to lighting and functionality to aesthetics, every inch of a building influences, whether good or bad.
Difference Between User and Architect
Each building has a different function, and each of them creates a different mood, sense of coherence, security, and meaning. Every user is affected by architecture in ways unknown. A dark space might bring out a sense of fear. A wide-open space gives a sense of freedom. A good working environment is essential to an employee’s productivity and efficiency in an office. A restaurant with an ambient atmosphere attracts more customers. Architecture impacts our mental health and plays its part in our decision-making. For any user, walking around beautiful buildings fills them with joy while dark, old buildings might leave them bothered. Whereas architects try to find ancient features in old buildings rather than dampening their mood are also felt by the architects. They observe and analyze spaces in a better way, ending up with a lot of learning. Usually, users look at the facade, but the designers try to figure out what lies underneath. The two-experience architecture in their way. The users analyze to find a habitable space to live or work, but the architect tries to study and find inspiration. For architects, every design is a case study of knowledge, an empty site, a place of opportunity, and everything around a source of inspiration. Architecture impacts the psychology of a user, as well as a designer in different ways.
Past to the future by the present
It is now a well-known fact that architecture influences people. The ideas from the past are still alive in today’s buildings carrying forward the culture. With various advancements and ideologies of the past, future spaces might be more functional, aesthetical, habitable, and user-friendly. In the coming days, architecture will have an even better impact on society. Eventually, people began paying attention to details, questions about its effect on climate raised. As architecture becomes more visible, architects push boundaries to create better spaces.
Education
Architectural education opens new doors to imagination, observational skills and helps students appreciate their surroundings in an improved way. Every student is first a user who is enthusiastic about learning the spaces in which they live. The impact of buildings on their minds is sizable enough to push them into studying their surroundings. The purpose of students becoming a designer is to help people experience the same impact they once did. They start to notice refined details and understand the depth of the field. Everything around them looks inspirational.
Pandemic and its after effect
The pandemic has majorly changed everything on a global scale. Every industry has been disturbed due to its harsh effects. In such a scenario, architecture plays a vital role in the way people interact with other people and their surroundings. The home has become the focus for people; therefore, functional spaces are crucial. The pre-pandemic world now looks like a bygone era. The uncertainty of how long the pandemic might last has challenged architects and designers to create better solutions for community interaction. There will be an immense impact on the designs of public and private spaces, consequently influencing the user.
The new era of online learning
With the strike of the pandemic, students have been restricted to indoors and computer screens. When students use screens rather than being physically present in a building, making detailed observations becomes difficult. Architectural courses might have lost their practicality, but the zeal of students to learn prevails. It’s now an even massive challenge for these future architects to plan to abide by the rules of the pandemic world. They endeavor to push boundaries and acquire a lot from the little given to them, to create sustainable spaces in the coming days.
The Unavoidable
We are surrounded by buildings in almost every minute of our lives. The impact of architecture on our psyche might not be visible, yet it cannot be denied. It is one of the most significant parts of our life whose impact is inevitable. Architecture already played a notable role before the pandemic, and now that it is on the horizon, its part will be even more prominent. Each plan drafted by an architect paves its way to leave a mark in people’s minds.
