Architecture and Perception : A Paradox

With curiosity and excitement as driving forces, students start their journeys into the world of architecture with the hopes of achieving flying colors by expressing their perspectives and ideas through their designs. But perspectives are nothing but erratic – constantly changing with times and influences. At its core, architecture is as independent as any other art form. So long as storytelling is concerned, an architect is allowed to explore and use their independence to maximum capability. While building the space itself comes with its own set of regulations; the origin of the concept is always visible to the audience. It could come across through any small details like colors or motifs – and it could also be something bigger; like shapes and forms. In this article, we will talk about examples of architecture that are so pivotal in their uniqueness that they inspire viewers to shift their perspective.

Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló : The Modernism Perspective

Situated among the row houses of Illa de la Discòrdia (the “Block of Discord”), Casa Batlló is one of the ultimate jewels in Barcelona, Spain. Defined as ‘a vision of paradise’ by Gaudi himself,1 this building is a pleasing amalgam of aesthetics and practicality.

From the very first glance, it offers artistic visuals that speak for the broad sense of modernism present in many of Gaudi’s works. Said to be inspired by the immediate context of the Mediterranean Sea, the fluid lines and stone cladding speak for waves and the creatures of the sea, along with details like patterns that resemble starfish and lotus that can be seen under the balconies. This piece of work provides a clear perspective into the realm of modernist architecture with a near-perfect balance of appealing artistic expressions as well as functional aspects such as the distribution of light and the planning centered around air ventilation.

As an observer, regardless of one’s connection to the architectural industry, this perception towards the influence of the art nouveau movement on modernism is conveyed so clearly that it explains why Casa Batlló is considered one of the most iconic buildings designed by Gaudi, as well as one of the 4 most influential examples of modernist architecture in Barcelona.

Art Movements & Culture: Correlation and Influence

Apart from the obvious cultural influences on various art movements – like geographical context and the accessibility of materials – each era is also directly related to the consequential circumstances of social and geopolitical affairs. Alongside other art forms, architecture is also highly influenced by the predominant changes that come with each era of art. This impact can be perceived through multiple aspects of architecture – from ocular details to the ease of usage.

One apt example of this would be, simply put, the practical designs of Michael Thonet during the beginning of Realism in Austria in the 1840s. From the parquet flooring for the refurbishing of the Vienna Palace to the widely famous Chair No. 14 which could have been one of the earliest examples of DIY: Thonet’s vision was to impress not only the royals but also the general public. In light of the revolutionary changes happening to the economic state of Austria, his idea to create simple yet elegant designs with the use of curves & bent wood made complete sense as it came from the perspective of providing functional furniture that is easy to put together on one’s own. 

This also provides a solid perspective towards how companies like IKEA work so well with the population that has hard work ingrained in their routines. With the reduction of processing cost these designs became affordable, and with their lightweight qualities and well as easy handling, people were open to using them for civic spaces used for social gatherings. The Thonet chair caused a riot in the general public and became an influential part of the rising café culture, one example being the Daum Café.2

Cluster within a Cluster: Pols of Ahmedabad

As appropriately described in an article from Modo Designs – Together is a wonderful place to be, and Pols are a living manifestation of this.3

An extraordinary example of city planning that goes way beyond lack of space and historical significance, the row houses of the pols of Ahmedabad stand tall as proof that humans, after all, are communal beings. It doesn’t matter whether one is extroverted or introverted – Indians are socialites who grow up interacting with their surroundings in a manner that initiates conversations and appreciation for cohabitation. Architecture, once again, adds a new perspective to this storyline.

Originally designed as shelter homes for those in need of urgent protection during communal riots, these houses are so closely intertwined with each other that residents can share many of their occurring experiences with each other. From the conversations that take place between neighbors on otlas, to the open courtyards that allow ample light and ventilation despite the narrow, rectangular planning. This shares another perspective on how the simplest of architectural elements like jharokhas and otlas can open the doors to unique interactions altogether.4

The Fluidity of Architectural Perspectives

For all the examples discussed in this article, the core idea remains the same – a residence, a palace, or even something as simple as a piece of furniture can have multitudes to it that speak for the context, the socio-economic situation and ultimately: the end user. No matter how effective the story behind a design is, the combination of the aforementioned factors can have different weightage for each observer. Everyone is offered the same ingredients, but many different recipes can emerge from that based on individual tastes. 

Everyone experiences architecture differently, and as a result of that, everyone develops different perspectives. And that falls perfectly in line with the fact that architecture, like any other form of art, is full of paradoxes; and that is beautiful on its own.

REFERENCE LIST:

IMAGES :

1. Cardelús, D. (2015). Casa Batlló 02. [Photograph]. (Barcelona : https://www.davidcardelus.com/work)
2. Toulouse-Lautrec, H. (1892-1895). At the Moulin Rouge. [Painting]. (France : https://www.artic.edu/departments/PC-10/painting-and-sculpture-of-europe)
3. Pandit, R. (2019). Pols of Ahmedabad. [Photograph]. (Ahmedabad : https://www.mododesigns.co.in/blog-detail/pol-of-ahmedabad/)
4. Pandit, R. (2019). Pols of Ahmedabad. [Photograph]. (Ahmedabad : https://www.mododesigns.co.in/blog-detail/pol-of-ahmedabad/)

BIBLIOGRAPHY/EXTERNAL LINKS :

1. Bernat, N. (2009). Casa Batlló: a dialogue with light, colour and freedom. World heritage Review : Special Issue, Volume 53, pp. 80-83. Available at : https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000183745.locale=en [Accessed : 20 June 2024].
2. Bang, O. (1987). Thonet and England. The Journal of the Decorative Arts Society 1850 – the Present, No. 11, THE EUROPEAN CONNECTION, pp. 27-31. Available at : https://www.jstor.org/stable/41809029?read-now=1#page_scan_tab_contents [Accessed : 22 March 2021].
3. Pandit, R. (2019). Pols of Ahmedabad. [online]. Available at : https://www.mododesigns.co.in/blog-detail/pol-of-ahmedabad/ [Accessed : 21 June 2024].
4. Shah, R. (2016). Ahmedabad Old city living: Layers within Layers. [online]. Available at : https://creativeyatra.com/culture/ahmedabad-old-city-living-layers-within-layer/ [Accessed : 21 June 2024].