“ Architecture is a social activity that has to do with some sort of communication or places of interaction, and that to change the environment is to change the behavior ” once quoted by Thom Mayne emphasizes the impact of architecture on society.
Architecture has long been acknowledged as more than just a pretty face; it plays a significant role in shaping our living abode. Architectural style evolves with society reflecting people’s changing needs and values. The impact of architecture on society today extends beyond aesthetics to include psychological well-being, sustainability, and community development. This composition will look at the importance of thoughtful architectural design strategies in today’s contemporary scenarios.
Denise Scott Brown once put it this way: “Architecture can’t force people to connect; it can only plan the crossing points, remove barriers, and make the meeting places useful and attractive.” Despite its inability to influence the outcome, architecture has the potential to set the stage for chance encounters and social interactions, fostering community building and influencing the fabric of our social culture. The following investigates how architecture can improve the social capital of its surroundings through design strategies and thoughtful programming, thereby providing a fertile ground for social interaction among various groups of people.
Throughout our education, we have heard and realized the truth of the adage ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. Even as architects, we always take a step-by-step approach to design, reviewing, changing, and improvising along the way. Similarly, architecture has the power to influence the surroundings we live in daily, even if it does not drastically change the world in a single moment. Architects all over the world have worked to find new ways to shape the society around us, from changing the smallest element in design to shaping entire spaces.
Dr. Julio Bermudez once used the functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) to study how architecture affects people’s ability to meditate. The study’s findings were intriguing: a constant presence in a specific type of architectural design produces health benefits. He explained that certain elements have a positive effect on meditation, which was used by ancient builders who built temples and other spiritual structures.
The potential of architecture to bring people together can sometimes be found in the programming of the building rather than the spatial form itself. In this case, space serves as a container for whatever function suits the collective; thus, the careful assemblage of activities drives social interaction. As you can see, it encompasses all buildings with varying functions and is not just applicable to residential structures. For example, the prison is crucial to the inmates’ appropriate psychological rehabilitation. The primary goal of the prison is to assist inmates in transforming into respectable, useful members of the community. Hospitals are made to support patients, try to hasten their recovery, and help them accept treatment – that is, to fulfill the original purpose for which they were built.
We, as humans, are predictors; all we need to do is build structures to help us do things. Healthy living is promoted by places to eat, sleep, study, shop, shop, and relax. It is also a subtle way of communicating our thoughts, desires, and emotions. As a result, various structures at the human, social, and cultural levels have emerged. Buildings for transportation play a significant part in increasing user awareness of its various routes, services, and offices. In due course, this will facilitate the passengers’ utilization of these various modes of transportation. Therefore, expanding the building’s passenger capacity is essential to guarantee that they have the greatest possible experience. All structures, from the tiniest side-street stores to the tallest skyscrapers on Earth, strive to fulfill the sacred role of architecture, which is to improve people’s lives and the environment.
Architecture in a Changing Society
The architectural style is constantly evolving because of societal changes. Old buildings give way to new designs as new ideas emerge. The preferences and needs of society drive architectural transformation, resulting in buildings that reflect contemporary values. While Romanesque architecture is historically significant, it is no longer the preferred style for modern living. This fluidity demonstrates the forward-thinking nature of architecture. The design of cities affects us in more ways than just the number of kilometers we walk or the amount of time we spend in the car. According to a study conducted by the Observatory of Health and the Environment of Southern Spain, it also causes changes in our diet, which is a key pillar of various habits in disease prevention.
Then, as time passed, humans became increasingly isolated from one another due to lifestyle changes. To meet humans’, need for social interaction, various types of architecture such as entertainment centers, urban hubs, hotels, gardens, and plazas are designed. Any space can be made more appealing to people by incorporating appropriate visually appealing elements such as decorations, plants, statues, and different colors.
Architecture as the Social Connector
In contrast to our forefathers, who spent their days working in the sun, most people now spend much of their time indoors, in homes, classrooms, offices, and other enclosed spaces. Thus, architecture plays a large and important role in human psychology, as it can stimulate our neurological systems through visual, auditory, and sensory stimuli. This means that a well-designed built environment can improve people’s moods, promote optimistic thoughts, boost self-esteem, and boost confidence.
Similarly, different people in different parts of the world are linked by their socio-cultural beliefs and ideas. Architecture has proven to be an integral part of these cultures, serving as a gathering place for these people to celebrate and pray, and as a relic of their time on this planet. Religious people construct temples, mosques, and churches to invite others and promote their religion.
Architecture for Social Cause
Given the harsh realities of the world and the horrific situations that people face, architecture can be used to help improve the lives of underprivileged people, people facing social injustice, and people who lack necessities such as food, shelter, and water. Rather than limiting its impact to charity, architecture can bring communities together and empower them to improve their own and future generations’ lives.
As the years pass, the world becomes increasingly uninhabitable. Humans cannot give up their basic need for shelter, but this need can be used to mitigate or eliminate the negative effects of population growth. Green buildings are built to use fewer natural resources and can even generate energy to give back to society.
Finally, Architecture has a strong influence on our thoughts and emotions, influencing our daily lives. Architects can create spaces that promote happiness, well-being, and a strong sense of community by embracing the principles of functional patterns, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal. We can create a future where architecture positively shapes society, creating environments that nurture and inspire us all, by focusing on psychological considerations and technological advancements.
Above all, as Sir Norman Foster says, “As an architect, you design for the present with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown.”
References :
1) Isha Chaudhary. LinkedIn. The impact of architecture on the Society: Building a better future [ online ]
Available at: (1) The Impact of Architecture on Society: Building a Better Future | LinkedIn
2) InspirationTuts. How does Architecture affect Society? [ online ]
Available at: How Does Architecture Affect Society? – InspirationTuts
