Behind the Scenes
Architecture has been practised and visualised as a mathematical, creative and social integration of any structure’s creation. The domain’s working is defined through its basic principle of understanding and serving the community, adhering to this statement it transcends beyond the word creator which interjectionally is its Latin meaning, and describes itself through the contribution towards the soul, the community.
From the Parthenon to Habitat 67, architecture’s evolution has been exhilarating and ecstatic for the public. Though humans share the same senses, the “panorama” of architecture for every kind is discrete. a crossroad at Vijay Nagar Square, Indore, connects to public and private facilities like schools, pathology lab, cafes, and offices. For commute provision, there are bus stops and auto rickshaws; currently, the metro line is under construction. Though the crossroad connects to all these facilities it cannot fruitfully serve the pedestrians, even though people prefer private vehicles to travel a shorter distance. It is not just regarding the pedestrians but also the city’s essence, which comes through its urban planning.
The city of beauty is situated in the foothills of the Shivalik range, Chandigarh. It’s one of the best creations of Le Corbusier, he designed the entire city in a grid to ensure throughout traffic circulation in the city. He created 7 defined roads and referred to these as 7V’s for vehicular movement, bicycle paths, and pedestrian or footpaths. For any city to function efficiently the stream of traffic plays a prime role and cities like Chandigarh prove to do the same. Including traffic circulation, certain spaces contribute towards a social and functional urban space.
Urban spaces are meant for the community and should serve the same adhering to this statement by Claudina De Gyes an architect from Mexico “Many things contribute to an identity. It’s not just language and food. It is also in urban surroundings”. This statement epitomises a place in Copenhagen that harbours an ecstatic surrounding. Formerly known as Superkilen park, the park has various names Red Square, black market, and green park. The space purpose was to bind the diverse community of 50 different nationalities that reside at that beautiful city in Denmark. The architect, Bjarke Ingels, and the team did a local survey on what all locals and immigrants have in their nationalities’ architectural backgrounds. It even accomplished the same by installing Moroccan fountains, Jamaican speakers, and Mexican benches that are curved in shape and circumscribed around palm trees that belong to China and work best for Denmark’s climate.
The Frame
Relatively the field of architecture and its frontmen are considered small but the panorama is tremendously diverse and versatile. One’s interaction with one’s sensibilities and the spaces around them amalgamates in sustainable architecture. Though one’s definition of sustainable architecture might vary but its crux is alike i.e. serving the community. Sustainable architecture is generally defined through structure or space’s energy conservation though it does have a broader panorama.
As stated by Lewis Warren Jr in a TED talk on 7 April 2020 that “Sustainable architecture is not just energy conservation but also site sustainability, social engagement, medium density housing and economics, if you can’t pay for it, it can’t stay”. It is true though, Aranya township, a low-cost housing designed by BV Doshi, accommodates 6500 dwellings for the weaker economic section and delivers a transcending connectivity through its open spaces, courtyards and hence connecting the different groups and not alienating them because of the purpose.
Despite its misinterpreted perspective, the hysterical part of architecture is that everyone has been a part of it. Architecture and community share a symbiotic relationship, community demands a space, architects and the community together create an integrated space welcoming the whole being. There is a cultural centre in Vietnam, Bat Trang Ceramic Community Centre designed by 1+1>2 Architects, the whole structure was built to devote the ceramic community of Vietnam which wished to achieve a time-space intervention between craftsmen in different eras. The structure’s panorama creates a sense of belonging, harmony, and unity; moreover the texture and façade’s material portray the whole craftsmen’s community.
From drafting to designing one’s first project an architect’s journey begins much before that. The day one decides to be a part of this fraternity a sense of unity and integrity starts developing after seeing a space with the panorama it upholds.
