The phrase “observation skill” was commonly used in the architectural and design fields. The finest illustration of this would not be better than self-taught architects all around the world. Self-taught architects such as Sir Tadao Ando, Le Corbusier, F.L. Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, Luis Barragan, and Buckminister Fuller are the finest examples of self-observation abilities for young architects and designers. Each of them had a distinct approach to Architecture / Nature, but they all had one thing in common: the desire to accomplish more in life without the guidance of a ‘Master/ Guru.’ Sir Antoni Gaudi is a famous example among architects; when he was young, he used to simply sit in nature and observe; as a result of this activity, his whole design was influenced by Nature. Nature was his finest teacher, and it showed in his works all around the world. All new architects and designers should learn from these instances that architecture is not necessarily something that can be taught, but rather something that must be observed and implemented.
The need to get rid of technology for Young architects and designers
Today’s young architects and designers are very fascinated by the most recent technological advancements such as AI and Metaverse. However, although these innovations transport us to the future, they also make us dependent. When there were no computers, architects had to work with their hands on the sheets, which was a lengthy process but produced authenticity. However, as technology advanced, architects gained more precision while becoming increasingly reliant on technology. Today, as a result of the hyped-up digital world, young architects and designers are losing connection with Nature, resulting in lower observation power. Young architects and designers should realize that everything (in terms of a building) is available to us; all we need to do is halt and observe. In addition, the ability to sketch is diminishing in many fields of design due to the software’s quick modeling features. There is a link between the Mind and the Hands, which work together to generate a tremendous product. Young architects and designers should be cautious of the work they produce based on their observation abilities.
The need to purify the senses to enhance observation quality
Ayurveda advises on the cleansing of the five human senses. If young architects and designers wish to improve their observation abilities, they must first clear their internal body concerns. According to Ayurvedic teachings, when these conditions are satisfied appropriately, an individual’s performance improves. The greatest natural technique for this is to wander in nature without a cell phone or digital media and calm the senses. There is so much to learn from nature that can be applied to architecture. For instance, a tree’s components include its trunk, branches, leaves, and fruits. Similar to how a tree has a trunk, branches, and leaves, a structure has columns as its structural supports, which serve as the representation of the tree’s structural supports. The current world’s expectations are so quick-paced that young architects and designers are losing their ability to observe. Only observing something is insufficient; one also needs to analyze it internally. Young architects and designers should possess patience, serenity, and the capacity to perceive the environment with an open mind and all of their senses.
The lessons to be learned as Young architects and designers
As aspiring architects and designers, we must recognize the value of observation as a practical life skill. It should be obvious when drawing a building’s layout that the room will have columns, beams, and other structural elements running through it. So one may design the layout properly. The master architects were known as masters because of their abilities in observation, which the young architects and designers should comprehend. They have a variety of points of view about life. Young architects and designers must establish the habit of being careful of their work after they stop being unaware of it. This habit must ultimately be formed. What makes a person a great designer is not just their ability to observe, but also their communication, drawing, curiosity, respect, and discipline. The world needs more talented young people who want to be architects and designers so they can work out real-world problems that can only be handled with a building. Both the social and personal well-being of a person may be influenced by architecture. Young architects and designers should thus take great effort to create innovative settings using their keen eye for detail. Therefore these are the following points that young architects and designers should keep in mind for observation:
- Stop getting into your comfort zone.
- Stop depending on the software components completely.
- Always be curious about life and people.
- No matter what the situation is never stop learning from mistakes because that is also a kind of observation.
- Always be close to Nature, not merely for photographs but to understand the depth of Nature.
Citations
1) Suneet Zishan Langar. “9 Incredibly Famous Architects Who Didn’t Possess an Architecture Degree” 19 Jun 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed 30 Oct 2022. <https://www.archdaily.com/873850/9-incredibly-famous-architects-who-didnt-possess-an-architecture-degree> ISSN 0719-8884
2) Meza, M. (2013). The need to observe Nature. [Photograph] Online image. Available at: https://www.melinameza.com/ayurveda-exploring-the-5-senses/ [Accessed 30 Oct. 2022].