Since times immemorial, the co-existence of humans and architecture has prevailed. The individuality of any of the two would be a compelling interrogation. The two have lent a helping hand in the development of one another. Architecture has progressed in answer to the users’ progressive necessities, while users’ requirements ascended as the infrastructure was readily available. Technology has played a vital role in development, but Architecture has by far provided a medium for its application. Even if one tries to explore human survival without Architecture, it would rather turn into an amusing discussion.
Ancient Civilizations are best documented when remains of their built environment are discovered. The built environment exhibits shreds of evidence of social behavior, trade patterns, Mythological and traditional aspects, art and culture, etc. When analyzed and woven together, these evidences produce a whole fabric of functionality of any particular civilization. Such ancient settlements often provide a medium for learning and roots for the evolution to the next era. If Architecture would not have existed, people would never know how their ancestral civilizations were sustained.
Every place has its unique typology of Architecture. Greek Architecture is well known for its iconic orders, agoras, and magnificent temples with Parthenon leading the list. Greek architecture has provided a model for the architectural eras that followed. Devoid of Architecture, the present generation would never witness the great architectural masterpieces of the past. There would be no Parthenon, no odeon (Greek theatres), no doric, ionic, or Corinthian columns, no pediments, and certainly no splendid knowledge of scale and proportions.
In ancient times, rulers used to travel to different locations to conquer and extend their territory. Soon after, the victorious king prioritized the spread of their own culture and traditions in the new region. The architecture was a primary medium to mark their territory and build resemblance. Rulers built victorious arches, forts, mausoleums, Havelis, institutions, etc, which marked their grandeur. Fort structures also served defensive purposes against the enemy. These monuments later became
the iconic built heritage bringing glory to the countries, boosting tourism, and providing the basis of research for scholars. Without Architecture, there would be no elaborate structures to celebrate victory, no defensive structures to mitigate attacks from opponents, no tourism, and no learning from master architects of history. The ancestral early man lived in natural caves, evolved to live in preliminary huts, and presently, the human race resides in ultra-luxurious modern houses. The evolution of human dwelling owes profound gratitude to architecture. The dwellings when grouped developed a society. Living in a society implanted feelings of co-living, possession, affection, etc among the inhabitants. Without Architecture, the development of human habitats would be limited to elementary levels.
As a child is born, after several years of preliminary care and learning at home, the child is sent to school. A school aids the intellectual and physical growth of a kid which enables them to attain a reputed position in society. These children also grow to an international level and represent the country in various events of sports, employment, scholars, etc. Lacking in Architecture, the training and learning infrastructure would not advance. The exemplary talents would not grow to their summit. The competitive approach and enthusiasm would be handicapped. And thus, the glory brought to the nation and one’s family would be restricted.
Any human being requires certain essential commodities like food items, clothing, stationery, etc. to fulfill their diurnal needs. These commodities are readily available in the market. These markets grew to the apex to be malls, facilitating the availability under one roof. Without Architecture, malls would not have existed. And markets would just be limited to weekly bazaars on any rural premises.
Earlier people used leaves and barks of trees to cover their bodies. With the discovery of natural fabrics and their further refinement in industries made clothes readily available in markets. If Architecture would not exist, the industries would not be there. Human wearables would just be finite to basic natural fiber clothes with limited designs in fashion.
Entertainment plays a vital role in human survival. To overcome boredom and boredom of living inside a cage, one seeks the existence of theatres to watch some movies or plays. The production of a movie demands an elaborate infrastructure. Such infrastructure outlines Architecture. Devoid of it, the entertainment industry would just be limited to folk songs, dances, and plays. The exuberance of actors, dancers, singers, and allied professionals would not have a medium to exhibit their specific art forms.
Personal well-being is a significant segment of human life. Healthcare infrastructure is as important for society as rain is for the earth. The supreme quality of treatment for evolving ailments is a basic necessity. The technological and infrastructural growth in healthcare sector has aided increased life expectancy and low mortality rates. Exclusive to Architecture, the revolutionary medical research would not have a roof to be performed under. If performed and succeeded in compromising circumstances, there would be no desired and designated hospitals with specialized equipment and environment to practice and help mankind.
The profession of Architecture employs a huge section of society. Industrialists, Architects, Engineers, Service Consultants, Conservators, Artists, Sculptors, Builders, etc are to name a few. These professionals owe their livelihood to Architecture in revert of developing a nation’s huge infrastructure to facilitate progression. Devoid of Architecture, the infrastructure crucial for any country’s development would be handicapped just to basic grade. The allied professionals would rather be restricted to preliminary jobs.
Can human existence be wondered without architecture….????
An attempt has been made by SCI-Arc, a YouTube Channel in their short film. A 3:18 min film has been developed majorly for the people out of the Architectural fraternity, as a source to recall the power of the creator fraternity. They say “Without architecture, there would be nowhere to hang and observe ground-breaking works of art; nowhere to store libraries and volumes of the recorded ideas shaping mankind; no structures in which to worship a higher power.” The movie demonstrates the world without Architecture to be the world without Beauty, without Humanity, without Heights, without Passion, without the Divine, without Vision, without Awe. It conclusively states that “the world without Architecture is Unimaginable. Architecture is our Culture, Architecture is our Faith, and Architecture is our Identity.”
Defining human sustenance without Architecture as far-fetched, would be an exaggeration. Human existence can surely be imagined without Architecture, but in its paralytic form. Human race would be existent, but the amenities would be just finite to mere fundamental necessities. As quoted by a master architect, Frank Lloyd Wright “The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilization.” Conclusively, Architecture is as important for any civilization, as the soul is for the body. The life cycle would be monotonous and one’s zeal to constantly upgrade their life would not be known without Architecture.
