Culture is a complex term – it has great depth, is intangible and enables us to relate back to our histories and beliefs. Culture is the soul of a thriving community as they tell their stories, celebrate, remember the past, entertain themselves, and imagine their future showcased and expressed in a number of ways. The creative and innovative expression of such traditions helps one define who they are, and enables them to visualize the world through the perspective of a third person. Culture is an extremely powerful aspect in our lives that influences our lifestyle much more than we often realize.
Similarly, architecture pretty much is a reflection of the society’s beliefs and ideologies. Subconsciously, to bring out the impression of culture in the built form is the supreme effort of every designer. In fact, culture plays an important role at the very onset of any design process. Any design when conceptualized to serve a dedicated function is directly or indirectly obtained from or retrofitted with the cultural identity of the user. This idea is what frames the thought process of designers. It defines the identity of a given individual and helps the newer generations to travel back to their past memories. Architecture across cultures serves as a concretized blueprint of the social, economic, and political dynamics of the groups they represent. No other form of art, as much as architecture, more profoundly showcases how people of the world live, work, socialize, and play.
There are ample examples that show how culture has always dominated invalidating the architecture of a place. The richness of heritage and the culture embedded in the surrounding context continue to inspire architects to merge the elements of both the aspects, regardless of time, and style.
Climatic and Geographical Impact on Cultural Architecture: Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular architecture is a technique of designing that responds to the geographical and cultural context of the site and surroundings, with its prime focus on traditional construction with local and regional materials. While the modern and upcoming architectural styles may have become relatable, vernacular architecture has always been unique because of its truthfulness towards the site. Vernacular architecture is considered as a symbol of the cultural identity of a particular region while simultaneously it accommodates the specific needs and values of the region, culture, and heritage.
The word vernacular means domestic or native, normally related to a country or a region. Its etymological origin already reflects what vernacular architecture is about – a design that identifies and responds to a particular region which is also native to the source of material and its origin. Vernacular architecture can be recognised as one of the oldest styles in the history of architectural design. A wide variety of materials, in all types, textures and sizes are available at our disposal, unlike during the ancient times. Until the industrial revolution, humans built with whatever materials were available locally or in the neighbouring surroundings. Globalization and rapid development in various industrial sectors have provided us with countless construction materials and systems that accelerate the construction process from start to finish. By the late 19th century, even the houses in rural and backward areas had lost their regional and vernacular identities.
Religion and Spirituality in Architecture
Religious architecture epitomizes the cultural essence of a society. The style, materials, and the decorative elements incorporated in the design reflect local traditions and societal values of the region. The dominant cultural influences on religious architecture consist of local artistic techniques and traditions, availability of raw construction materials, historical events and periods,etc.
Early religious architecture primarily included structures like temples, ziggurats, and shrines. These were built to honor deities and create spaces for people to worship and perform rituals. One of the earliest examples of religious architecture is the Ziggurat of Ur in Mesopotamia, constructed in 2100 BCE. These structures often emphasized their sacredness. Some of the common features of early religious structures include large stone or mud-brick constructions, intricate carvings and statues, colonnades and elevated platforms, etc. Renowned early religious sites include Stonehenge in England, which was used for ceremonial and astrological purposes. To facilitate its construction, massive stones with great difficulties were transported over long distances, highlighting the importance of religion in early societies.
The medieval period saw a lot of advancements in architecture and technology, primarily in the design and construction of religious structures such as churches, mosques, and cathedrals. Architectural styles such as Gothic and Romanesque dominated this era. Gothic style of architecture, which emerged in the 12th century, is characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, stained glass windows, etc. Romanesque architecture preceding Gothic architecture, featured semi-circular arches, thick walls, and small windows.
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is an iconic example of Byzantine style of architecture and was a prominent religious place of worship for both Christianity and Islam. Today, it stands as a museum, reflecting upon centuries of rich history, culture and heritage.
Modern religious architecture continues to improvise and innovate while incorporating traditional elements. Technologies such as reinforced concrete and steel frames have enabled the designers to conceptualize more complex and elaborate designs. Modern examples include Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, which combines old Gothic elements with new modernist architecture. The Crystal Mosque in Malaysia, built with steel, glass, and crystal and the Lotus Temple in India, known for its flower-like shape and marble-cladded petals.
Religious architecture often embodies the cultural essence of a society. The style, materials, and decorative elements used are reflective of the local traditions and societal values of the time.
Globalization has a great impact on architectural designs and identity. The architecture has now evolved and is varied, but some cities, in order to follow the new trends, have lost their unique architectural identity and created replicas of buildings around the world. Globalization has impacted the vision of architectural design, and its relationship with society. Since globalization continues to accelerate, it is evolving the way architecture is perceived and created. The tough decision of choosing between preservation of the past and acceptance of the future creates a profound ethical and practical dilemma for today’s architects and designers. While preserving the historical buildings that align with rich cultural heritage conservation may appeal to community sentiments, at the same time, modernization may lead towards more environmentally sustainable designs and economic benefits associated with contemporary urban development.
References:
Urban Design lab. (2022). The Cultural Expression In Architecture. Available at: https://urbandesignlab.in/the-cultural-expression-in-architecture/?srsltid=AfmBOorlf5xgncEDmGcMZR7YhE6Ryc1jNBKAvaQHxYJCXoeTtcs9xWfp
StudySmarter UK. (2019). Religious Architecture: History & Styles | StudySmarter. Available at: https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/architecture/architectural-history/religious-architecture/
Hnin, T. (2022). Vernacular architecture: From the past to the present for the future. www.novatr.com. Available at: https://www.novatr.com/blog/vernacular-architecture.
Karpagam Architecture. (2024). Impact of Globalization on Architectural Identity: Evolution and Influences. Available at: https://karpagamarch.in/the-evolution-of-architectural-identity-in-the-era-of-globalization/.
Drishti IAS. (2025). Historical Preservation vs. Modernization. Available at: https://www.drishtiias.com/ethics/engage-in-ethics/historical-preservation-vs-modernization
