Perceptions and opinions are very subjective to an individual. Similarly, how the architecture of a building can be perceived depends upon the viewer based on their cultural values, daily-life practices, ethics, social environment, etc. Architecture and interior spaces impact the viewer’s mind differently. Some find a place welcoming while others do not. These impacts depend upon factors such as colour psychology, landscape, transitional areas, space navigation, etc. Architecture is not only a profession but a way of living life in its most efficient way.
Architectural Perspective
Culturally India is rich in sustainable construction techniques, vegetable or fruit-extracted colours, limestone plaster, wood and stone carving, mud-house building, thatching techniques, etc. Indians believe in vastu shastra, astrologers, numerologists, architects or interior designers, etc. to design any space. Great examples are found in the history of architects, urban planners, designers etc. One such amazing evidence is the Harappa civilization itself where all the bathrooms were built of burnt bricks and mortar whereas the houses were made up of mud bricks. The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were designed on a grid pattern with streets running in a north-south and east-west direction forming a well-organised layout. The drainage system was so well planned that every house connected to the drain. Drains were made up of mortar, lime, and gypsum. A present-day example of a city designed on a similar grid pattern is Chandigarh in India by the well-renowned architect Le Corbusier.
Does a layman care about such details? They just want their house to be built as soon as possible.
Indian Architecture
Temples in India are an astonishing example of the thought process of our ancestors who were great thinkers, planners, architects, and designers of that time. The architectural impact of that time is unparalleled even now. The Kailasa Temple in Ellora Caves, Maharashtra is an outstanding piece of stone carved by our craftsman in the age of no technology. This temple was carved out of one stone from top to bottom rather than bottom to top without using any scaffolding and the tool used is only a hammer to chisel. The reason why West Indians could carve out so many caves and temples is because the rock here is chisel-responsive by nature.
At this point, readers can connect with the architects and their thought process which is not limited to just completing the work rather than understanding the topography, geographical conditions, material availability, local craftsmanship, layman’s experiences, and ancestral stories of great monuments, temples, palaces, etc. to conclude what form will follow the function for a respective space to design in present time.
Disappearing Cultural Practices
Urbanisation due to the digital era and busy life has become introverted and a similar trend is followed in the urban buildings when built. People want more alone time and to cut off from public interaction there are no verandas or courtyards in the matchbox-style buildings. These transitional spaces make people feel welcome in other people’s houses for a brief talk during the daytime or just to see anyone around is an assurance that you are not alone if there is an emergency. This practice helps people to build a healthy and mentally fit community. In rural areas, verandas and courtyards act as a platform for multiple activities such as cooking, dishwashing, studying, playing, making sweets or rangoli at the time of festivals, etc. According to an architect this space will be occupied by people of different age groups and yet it should cater to each one of them within the day-light. This space is a fluid area where the private and public areas intersect for the family members as well as the neighbours and friends. Today mobile phones are an escape door for youngsters because of this they have forgotten how to talk, how to stay connected with their parents, etc. Psychological problems like- anxiety, depression, irritation, poor sleep cycle, etc. have triggered in the past few years.
Layman thinks that appointing an architect is expensive, which is, yes, it is. Architects or Interior designers can be replaced by contractors easily. Did anyone think that fees they charge include several services mainly- concept design, planning, budgeting, supervising the contractor, cutting down overhead expenses, issuing construction drawings, sanctions, and government permits, vendor coordination, site visits, material quality check, handling of labour, contractors and the client itself, etc. All these tasks are done by an architect to deliver a smooth project within the deadlines.
The layman should understand that their building will be constructed once and it has to be well planned & rightly thought out for the end user. Contractors can get the work done as suggested by the client but do any of them know about the functionality that follows the form and aesthetics required in a specific space? A space is alive only when it has a soul similarly, an architect is an individual who is a thinker and then a doer.
Online sources
Citations for websites:
Vajiramandravi(2024).Town-planning-of-harappan-civilization. [online]. (Last updated 13 August 2024).
Available at: https://vajiramandravi.com/quest-upsc-notes/town-planning-of-harappan-civilization/ [Accessed 16 August 2024].
IndianCulture.Kailasa-majestic-temple-ellora. [online].
Available at: https://indianculture.gov.in/stories/kailasa-majestic-temple-ellora [Accessed 16 August 2024].
Anthika Gattupalli(2022).The veranda a disappearing threshold space in India. [online]. (Last updated 15 July 2022). Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/985402/the-veranda-a-disappearing-threshold-space-in-india [Accessed 16 August 2024].
