Architecture has vividly changed over the years. Architecture has evolved from intricate classical architecture to today’s minimalistic modern architecture. This evolution took years of change and accommodating to that change, and in the end, it created a completely different style of architecture. This architectural development was merely a byproduct of capitalism. Before moving ahead, let us understand what capitalism is.
Capitalism: A brief introduction
Capitalism is an economic system in which private people or businesses own capital goods. Simultaneously, business owners (capitalists) employ workers (labour) who only receive wages; labour does not own the means of production but only employs them on behalf of the capital owners. With no way of determining value and the labour force separated from the worker, the door is open for exploitation. Today, capitalism is the primary means of exploitation.
Impact of Industrialization
Technology and manufacturing facilities advanced during the Industrial Revolution. It became easier for architects to develop new building types, replicate the same architectural designs in different geological areas, utilise mass-produced materials, and expedite construction, accelerating urbanisation. Despite being functional and long-lasting, these structures lacked creativity and character, and the exquisite beauty of architecture was gone.
Architecture as a commodity
Architecture is commodified in its built form when it is purchased, sold, and discussed in terms of square feet or the number of rooms. When buildings are traded as commodities for profit, investors and developers begin to play the market in pursuit of profit. This creates a vicious circle of real estate investment and disinvestment. Architecture is exploited in this pattern, and structures are held hostage to capitalism’s profit movement.
How capitalism impacts architecture
While this may appear advantageous to architecture at first glance—ready capital enables greater architectural development—this activity becomes unsustainable as capital seeks profit. What appeared beneficial to the building was a thin disguise for capitalist exploitation. Capital ultimately extracts profit, leaving behind cheap, shoddy structures and unsuspecting homeowners holding the bag, resulting in one’s acceptance of commodity buildings, low-cost construction, and design exploitation. Standardisation and mass production, both of which are driven by capitalist profit-seeking, severely restrict design options.
Potential growth for developers and contractors exists in this money-driven economy. Private land ownership, sizable unbuilt areas, high foot traffic, and the scope for expansion leads to commercialisation. Also, offering fewer choices and charging a premium for customisation benefits everyone, from manufacturers to retailers to building contractors. While architecture has the potential to be uniquely adapted to its inhabitants’ requirements and circumstances, profit often forces customers into a box.
How architecture and design have evolved due to capitalism.
Capitalism gradually gave rise to minimalist architecture. It arose from the need for mass-produced, profit-driven structures. In terms of style, regular buildings today follow a certain monotony. Although functionally rich, they are often unexciting and repetitive. Buildings follow function but need to remember to follow form. And if the form is followed, the minute details that make a regular structure a work of art and architecture are lost. Don’t get me wrong; minimalism is not ‘boring’. It is a beautiful art movement that can be simple yet surreal. However, it is widening rather than bridging the gap between minimalism and monotony. The lack of vernacular elements in a city’s or a country’s architecture creates uniformity. The uniqueness, representation, and creativity that architecture stands for are getting lost in this process of focusing on money and focusing on oneself rather than society as a whole.
Conclusion
But is chasing after money the wrong approach? This is a controversial yet important question. Money’s importance in today’s society cannot be underestimated. And yes, due to capitalism, the rich keep getting richer, and the poor keep struggling to make ends meet. However, at this point, changing the economic structure is impossible.
In the field of architecture and construction, capitalism has had its pros and cons. Faster construction, increased material availability, new materials, and better accommodation for people have all aided society globally. However, there needs to be more individuality throughout design and architecture, caused by the continuous need to make more money by doing the bare minimum.
Architecture and construction require a significant amount of money and effort. To fully utilise that money and effort, those in charge must take charge and not abuse the beauty and convenience of design and architecture. It is nearly impossible to rebrand architecture rapidly. However, if designed and presented correctly, modern structures can stand out. In a country where culture is celebrated, designing a structure that embraces and restores the complexities and maximalism of Indian culture through motifs, inscriptions, carvings, and vibrant colours will be favourable. Eventually, a structure that has a remarkable personality will be chosen over a drab, monotonous building.
References:
Čirjak, A. (2020) What’s the alternative to capitalism?, WorldAtlas. WorldAtlas. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-s-the-alternative-to-capitalism.html (Accessed: April 1, 2023).
Proceedings index (2022) Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Available at: https://www.acsa-arch.org/proceedings-index/ (Accessed: April 1, 2023).
