Can you ever imagine a world without colors?
Isn’t this similar to imagining humankind without architecture because the human quality of life incredibly depends on it? Architecture is a broad field that is present virtually everywhere and is not just a building-related discipline. It is like day-to-day clothing, humans are incomplete without it, and it enhances one’s quality of life. Architecture improves quality of life by affecting one’s mental and physical aspects. Architecture helps evoke sensations through design, colors, patterns, and harmony reflects directly into their lifestyles.
Understanding or experiencing Architecture?
“It is not enough to see architecture; you must experience it. You must observe how it was designed for a special purpose and how it was attuned to the entire concept and rhythm of a specific era.”
– Steen Eiler Rasmussen (Rasmussen, 1962)
Architecture portrays a meaning and message to society, thus affecting human psychology. Architecture has elements & humans have feelings both combine to experience a sense of space. It is a form of communication between people and the environment in which they live, and it has an impact on both mental and physical well-being. Architecture is a retreat for people when planned consciously without adversely affecting nature and the universe.
Experience is physical and mental. Architecture is the art of living that incorporates harmony and unity to measure. Experiencing architecture is what one observes once they see any building or interactive space.
Experiencing architecture is enhancing the skills of visitors to observe and gain knowledge. Architecture is more about the experience of the user with the best comfort zone given by orientation, lighting either natural or artificial, etc. These elements play an important role in observing and living architecture for people. As many designs are based on experiencing them and understanding what space wants to tell or show us.
Experiencing architecture
“Architecture is not produced simply by adding plans and sections to elevations. It is something else and something more. It is impossible to explain precisely what it is – its limits are by no means well-defined. On the whole, art should not be explained; it must be experienced.”
– Steen Eiler Rasmussen (Rasmussen, 1962)
Experiencing architecture- Our impression of a building by using our experience of other buildings or our appreciation of materials or what we understand about certain forms of construction. (Rasmussen, 1962)
Experience (Anubhav) is the MOTHER OF WISDOM. A practical observation or deep impression of something, what exactly happened & feel deeply about that part of once life which is unable to forget weather it is good or bad. Observations of buildings, their material, spaces, design, form, and some related things to lifestyle can be compared to another building. This is proven that people can be easily learned when it can be seen happing and do it themselves through their senses.
I read, I forget
I see I remember
I do, I understand (Sharma, 2000)
Architecture (Vastukala) is the art of living in any space designed. And the lifestyle which might be faced by everyone in day-to-day life. Therefore, experiencing architecture is all about your mental and physical encounter with the buildings or spaces used sometimes affect your comfort level and cool down the lifestyle. The first impression is the last, so the buildings have their first impression by their exterior ambiance and form of the structure is the introductory experience to the people. A Point was well taken in the above quote that says architecture is not about only maps, plans, sections, and elevations is far away from it is only experienced, not explained.
Meditate on architectural History & its background
It starts when the Homo Sapiens evolved through time and developed different technologies. They live in the forests but there is a factor of safety and necessity for every creature on this planet. Thus, through time and needs took their place innovation expands like sapiens before having fuzzy hairs, the time changes the condition, they need some shelter to cover or food to eat a better way. They build forms that convey a lot about their culture, history, rites, creative sensibility, and surroundings (such as climate and weather).
For the social unit—the person, family, or clan—and their dependents—both human and animal—domestic architecture is created. It offers safety and warmth for the most fundamental bodily needs as well as occasionally for business, industry, or agricultural pursuits that benefit the family unit rather than the community. The fundamental needs of residential architecture are straightforward: a place to sleep, prepare food, eat, and possibly work; a location with some light and shelter from the elements. The only requirements are one room with well built walls and a roof, an entrance, a window, and a hearth; everything else is optional.
Architecture unit’s communities
Consider how community spaces are based on psychological, social, and spiritual principles and how they serve to bring people together. Each community has a unique style of architecture and spaces depending on its cultural requirements. Museums, markets, plazas, parks, community centres and other public places are examples of places where individuals from many societies and communities come together without experiencing any form of discrimination.
In this regard, urbanism in the city plays a significant role in enhancing everyone’s quality of life. Any city’s urban design promotes interaction among residents and openness in society. Places where groups of people congregate.
Public perspective about what Humanity will be without Architecture
Source: By Author
The harsh truth of society nowadays is that local people of lower-middle class families have small spaces to live in and area adjusting to the spaces without understanding the importance of planning and designing. Also, some people don’t have choices. Architects can solve these problems, but people are not supposed to reach them because of many factors.
Non-architects’ perspective is that they think architecture is the basic planning of the house or city we live in. They connect architecture with interior designing and planning of basic spaces so people’s thinking process about architecture is really basic but the architect or the person who better understands and feels the process of Architectural elements and designs.
The summary of this topic is to know architects’ and non-architects’ thoughts on the with or without architecture. There is no sense in imagining humans without architecture because it is a need that correlates to life. As a creative field, there are enormous options to indulge architecture with art, science, technology, nature, etc.
Humans with or without architecture
Humans are incomplete without architecture. As humans evolved, architecture evolved at the same pace. The thought of this statement is quite interesting because by imagining these circumstances, people can easily understand the importance, and sense to every different space built from creativity. Without planning, designing, or any creativity, life is just like food without salt or spice. The power to heal lies within once thought process develops by connecting the inner soul with a mind in a relaxing environment. Spaces to spend leisure time and rejuvenate themselves. Nevertheless, human society is living in the spaces designed and created by them.
Conclusion
Architecture can found everywhere and has an effect on the world at every turn. Therefore, society ought to value it and regard it as an essential component of life rather than merely a display. It is like your hands; you can’t operate without them. Architecture represents and defines a culture, community, nation, or entire planet. Most significantly, architecture essential in increasing the quality of life by harmonizing an individual’s mental and physical well-being. Architecture is considered a basic need, not a want. Last, but not least, architecture is for every creature on this planet. Hence, it is designed by considering each user’s unique perspective and needs. The beautiful part of Architecture that is not monotonous or has standards of planning and designing, it is as creative as natural elements are. To be an Architect is an honor in society.
References
Abdou, A., 2003/01/01. THE IMPACT OF CYBERSPACE AND GLOBALIZATION ON THE FUTURE OF ARCHITECTURE: VISIONARY INSIGHT. Research Gate , Volume 1.
Minner, K., 2011. Design Unveiled for the Broad Museum by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. ArchDaily , 6 January, 1(1), pp. 1-8.
naf architect & design, 2012. Mecenat Art Museum / Naf Architect & Design. ArchDaily, 26 July, 1(1), pp. 1-8.
Rasmussen, S. E., 1962. Experiencing Architecture. Second United States Edition, 1962 ed. United States: The M. I. T. Press.
Sharma, M., 2000. Role of Museum as heritage institution and Cultural Educator. Icon journal of the National Museum Institute, August, vol.1(National Museum Institute), pp. 1-9.
