“To live and to let live.” This is a very familiar phrase that gets used now and then. The simplest explanation is to live life the way one wishes to live and let other people do the same. Humans can coexist peacefully when there is peace and societal harmony among their members. But then the question arises of how a society is formed? Forming a society is the art of sharing and finding a community of people with a shared interest and a sense of commonality. These interests can be cultural, recreational, and many more. 

When we think of shared interests, we get a mental image of some kind of institution, be it a place of worship, a place for practising different kinds of art forms, or for other socio-cultural or political purposes. This is where architecture comes into play. Architecture not only plays a vital role in society but also affects human beings individually. From serving the very basic function of sheltering people to emotionally affecting the well-being of an individual, architecture plays a major role in our day-to-day lives.

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Human existence without architecture_Courtesy of Rios Clementi Hale Studios  Anderson Wise  BOKA Powell

A World Without Architecture 

Can one imagine what a world without architecture would look like? A world where people are not awed by the human creation, how mathematically art can be formed. A world without the skyline, without the heights. It will become a world without beauty and passion. Human existence without architecture is unimaginable. Architecture is not just a profession. It is a culture. The architecture shows how the power of discipline can be used to achieve human desires, and build history and culture. Architecture in the colloquial mind brings up lavish monuments and asymmetrical and extra-terrestrial-looking buildings. Its point is to add detail, thoughtfulness, and essence to structures. It plays with patterns, light and shadow, chemical nature, and even the psyche to tell the story of the place you’re walking into

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Yellow is a happy colour_© 2018 Barragan Foundation, SwitzerlandSOMAAP; Fred Sandback Archive

The Role of An Architect and Their Architecture 

The mutual association between human existence and architecture subtly binds the world together thus optimizing positive interactions between human beings and architecture. Apart from fulfilling the very basic needs of human beings, architecture not only provides shelter and security to the people but also provokes various emotions such as types of mental distress, intimidation, fear, joy, hope, excitement, happiness, etc. An architect plays a major role in manipulating human emotions. The holistic understanding and approach to building a suitable space for its intended users is a very big responsibility to be able to save the world from bad designs. Thus, they iterate until they get it closer to perfection. 

To imagine a world without a place to hang out with, or a place that brings your peace of mind, a world without any kind of institutions, or having the independence to be able to travel to places to clear your headspace is nerve-wracking. It is amazing how the world is so well put together because of architecture. Architecture aims to revolutionize the world. Hence given its expandability and resilience, one can be certain the forthcoming future of architecture is indeed a human-centered one. 

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The Notre Dame glass spire_httpslabel-magazine.comenarchitecturearticlesapple-shop-designers-offer-the-notre-dame-glass-roof

The Impact of Architecture on Human Life

The framework of our lives is modified by architecture. It transforms human perceptions. It is a language used to communicate with society. It defines a city’s values, culture, success, downfall, or standard of living. The architectural influence on society is thus humongous. How humans circulate in space is dictated by the efficient design of the place. The potential of a comprehensive and minimalistic space is immense. The balance between human existence and architecture affects every aspect of human life. 

Considering Human Emotions to Design Splendid Architecture 

Emotion in architecture is connected to how efficiently a structure emanates a sense of space. Architecture has stories to tell. Designing using architectural qualities heightens human senses, such as the use of materials, light, shade, textures, colors, etc. Emotion is the language minds speak. It is the ultimate of human consciousness. 

A Pathway in the Jewish Museum that reflects the Holocaust_httpswww.waivio.com@juecoreeemotional-architecture

Human Existence Without Architecture 

The footmarks of our ancestors for the past decades are proof of human existence and the evolution that has been taking place progressively over time. One of the greatest pieces of evidence of human existence on the planet earth is its architecture. The art of building structures is more than the physical representation of an idea. It represents culture and society at its finest. It showcases the abstract concept of human lives. 

Architecture also marks the beginning and downfall of a civilization. The immense impact architecture has on human existence is astronomical. It defines human lives in the contemporary world. The science of buildings affects the health and well-being of its occupants. Living without the assigned spaces for various activities and numerous emotions driving the human mind just at the sight of the glorious structures seems impossible. Hence, human existence without architecture is unimaginable. 

Author

Aishee Bachhar is an architecture student with a keen interest for researching and writing. The amalgamation of art with technology is something that attracts her towards architecture. She likes to upgrade her skills and polish her knowledge on a regular basis. According to her,” Through architecture one can be immortal.”