Sitting, with a window of 1500 x 1200 mm. sq at a sill of 900 mm in front having dark curtains, glass bottles with blossoming money plants hanging from the curtain rod against the white wall. A double door on the left, set within a pastel green wall, stands half-open, allowing directional natural light to stream into the home’s lazy afternoon interiors. The interiors seek natural light and shape the shadows as the light falls on objects. The kids engrossed in their phones, the adults watching TV, and the elders taking peaceful naps, each person enjoying the tranquil ambiance in their own way.
These types of experiences take place in spaces resulting from thoughtful architectural design, tailored to meet all basic requirements. These spaces accommodate people, allowing them to function, live, and thrive. The design of the space significantly influences people’s sense of belonging and their existence within it.
Take a Step Back
In the beginning of settlements, people used to seek shelter to protect themselves from the climate and animals. They sought shelter in earth’s natural features, like caves, canopies, etc. With evolution and the constant need for humans to protect themselves, people looked out for solutions that they could use to sustain their existence. For that, they started building temporary shelters with the resources that they had.
With time, the needs changed. With it the purpose of having a roof on heads also changed, it evolved from just protecting themselves against climate, animals, and other hazards, to accommodate the basic needs of humans, i.e. Roti (Food), Kapda (Clothing), and Makaan (shelter). With this, the need for basic amenities like a kitchen to cook, rooms for privacy, and a roof to protect was felt. For that, people started building kaccha houses to fulfil their needs.
Humans have moulded architecture as per their needs gradually to incorporate the basic amenities of the present age into society. The resources are utilised to provide comfort and to fulfil the requirements to efficiently use the physical elements to create spaces that are transforming the society. It is necessary so that a society can be shaped, where people can live, establish their existence, and have access to all the amenities that make their life easier and more comfortable.
The Process
In this consistently progressing world, there is an increase in the demands, the things that were considered luxuries once are gradually becoming necessities. These necessities generate opportunities to enhance the infrastructure. This is how human existence is shaping architecture with progressing times.
Humans have created architecture, and it has been nourished continuously over time. Architecture has evolved alongside the human race, adapting to our needs and serving us in indispensable ways. Today, it is an integral part in the process of how settlements and societies operate.
Today, We cannot think of Human Existence without Architecture. Why?
Today, the time has come when architecture is shaping human lives. For instance – The quality of life in a house that is well-designed, and functions well, the infrastructural availability and development in the city. The standard of living in the concerned city shapes human society. As architecture is a form of visual art that affects the functionality, mobility, visual appeal, and human comfort, it plays a significant role in creating an image of the rural or urban settlement.
Today, how does a satisfactory, comfortable, and good life identify?
By the quality of accommodation we have, with good aesthetics and functionality, serving the entire family, and the space feeling like home. Other than that, at the neighbourhood level, it provided amenities like clubhouse, swimming pool, activity arena, and social and culturally rich surroundings. These details decide what lifestyle a person has. When things like these decide our lifestyle then we do understand the role of architecture in planning our lifestyle. In today’s world, the existence of communities is identified in these scenarios. People live, walk, work, relax, and socialise in these settlements.
In both rural and urban areas, a distinct way of living is followed. Whether in rural villages, townships, tier 1, 2, or 3 cities, or metropolitan areas, architecture thrives in various forms, shapes, functions, and aspects, shaping our living environments that influences human existence. This process demands a thorough understanding and efficient utilisation of resources. Every decision is made with human comfort, needs, and desires in mind. All elements aim to enhance human experiences, and these collective efforts are guided by architecture, which shapes our lives.
Senses in Spaces
Human existence encompasses all the emotions and senses we experience. Spaces play a crucial role in evoking these emotions. For instance, after an exhausting day at the office, coming home and tossing bags and socks into a corner brings a sense of relaxation. Entering the home environment provides peace, calming the mind, and quieting the thoughts, worries, and discussions of the office. The effect that the space creates in our minds is profound.
Similarly, Office spaces should evoke a sense of belonging, productivity, and collaboration, and schools should have a sense of creativity, engagement, and curiosity.
Saturday evening, the sky painted in shades of blue with white clouds drifting lazily. Sipping tea on the balcony after a half day at the office, thoughts of ongoing projects, progress, drawings, details, and coordination with site supervisors, vendors, and stakeholders slowly pass through the mind. Waves of thoughts gently tire the mind, a familiar part of the routine.
In the back of the mind, thoughts drift while the eyes stare across the street at a house painted light green, with dark green elevational elements. A huge tree stands beside the building, its branches swaying gently in rhythm, and a cantilevered roof extends over the balcony. Little pink flowers add charm to the scene. Pole cables converge in a flowing pattern. The balcony’s parapet is lined with potted plants, offering a glimpse of an old couple sitting, sipping tea, talking, and smiling. A thought arises: how does this entire setup hold the small, routine, peaceful moments of the people, blending beautifully with nature to adorn the architecture?
Human existence is inconceivable without architecture, as spaces accommodate every aspect of our daily lives. Designing these spaces is a blessing—it shapes our needs, enhances aesthetic appeal, and provides environments for work, laughter, and living within communities. Above all, existing in these architecturally driven societies is invaluable and should be appreciated.
