Architecture: The Art of Designing Experiences 

When people talk about their favourite building, they often say things like, “A lot of thought went into the design,” or “It captivates me with the stories it tells.”. When people talk about their surroundings, they often talk about their reaction to the buildings, their mood inside the space, or how the building made them feel. These subjective feelings frequently precede discussions about functionality, aesthetics, structural integrity, or services While all these factors contribute to the overall experience, architecture is ultimately judged by how it resonates emotionally with its occupants. 

At its core, architecture aims to create meaningful experiences—whether it’s the warmth of a home, the atmosphere of a dining room, the sanctity of a temple, or the serenity of a retreat. Just like artists, musicians, and filmmakers, architects are storytellers, using their craft to evoke emotion and spark connection. There’s an undeniable blend of passion and personal interpretation in every design.

 Just as spaces shape lives, people, in turn, shape the spaces they inhabit.

The Designers’ Lens:

If someone is looking for a new house and visits five different architects, he will have five different options for the same house. They share the same client, budget, location, and neighbourhood contexts, but they have different perspectives on the same “house”. Why?

Each architect’s interpretation of something as straightforward as a “house” varies dramatically. One might place the dining area at the heart of the home, while another prioritizes garden-facing bedrooms. Another might feature a double-height living room. Beyond technical considerations, architects bring a distinct personal perspective to their designs. 

It’s this personal interpretation that sets one designer apart from another.

Designing an architect:

When architects create a space, they don’t just draw upon technical expertise and creative flair; they also bring deeply personal influences. Childhood memories, travel experiences, and inspirations from art, music, or literature all shape a designer’s vision. These elements build the spirit of an architect.

It’s often said that people are the average of the five individuals they spend the most time with. For creative minds, this extends to the art, architecture, films, music, food, and communities they immerse themselves in. From these experiences, architects form their definitions of happiness, awe, sacredness, or melancholy—emotions they later try to weave into their designs. 

Architectural creation is a delicate dance between the rational left brain and the emotive right brain, blending functionality with feeling.

Inside The Architect’s Mind:

Peter Zumthor writes in his book “Thinking Architecture” about a time when he experienced architecture without thinking about it. Over the years, with education and practice, his mental library of architectural atmospheres grew richer. 

Every encounter with architecture leaves a unique imprint on a designer’s mind, shaping their style.

When an architect’s approach becomes more refined and recognizable, it evolves into what is called their signature “style.” 

A Symphony of Interpretations:

Just as artists paint the same themes in strikingly different ways, architects offer varied interpretations of similar concepts. Hopper’s paintings, for instance, often use windows as frames to depict loneliness, whereas Friedrich uses vast landscapes with tiny figures. These narrative differences can also be seen in architectural works.  

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Office in a Small City by Hopper_© httpswww.metmuseum.org
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Landscape With Rainbow by Friedrich_©httpswww.wikiart.org

Sacred spaces, for example, have been interpreted in many ways—from the grandeur of Gothic cathedrals to the minimalist beauty of Chapel Ron Champ, where windows orchestrate light and shadow in a divine dance.

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Altar in Barcelona cathedral_©Artur Bogacki.jpg
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The Chapel at Ronchamp_©WikiArquitectura – The Architecture Encyclopedia

Even fundamental questions, like “What is God?” have been answered through various architectural expressions. Spaces are mirrors of their creators’ minds, reflecting how they define activities, emotions, and experiences.

What Houses Teach us :

In an interview with Tank Magazine, Dr. Ingrid Schroder, Director of AA School in London, describes how good architects think. “When there is a housing problem, the obvious solution is to build more houses. But for an architect, the question runs deeper: “What is a house?” and “What does family life look like in the 21st century?”

A house is more than just walls and a roof; it’s a laboratory of anthropology, reflecting lifestyle, societal norms, and beliefs. For example, traditional Indian houses designed for the strong joint family unit, feature communal kitchens, semi-public courtyards, and arugus opening onto the street. Even the concept of a pooja room speaks volumes about the role of religion in Indian culture.

In contrast, modern studio apartments reflect today’s fast-paced, individualistic lifestyle, with multifunctional spaces that cater to work-from-home setups, tiny kitchens used for reheating takeout, and public spaces oriented around the television.

Every space has a tale. Architecture speaks to the personalities of its inhabitants, whether they are introverted or extroverted, wanderers or homebodies. At the same time, it reflects the narratives of the architects who designed them.

Shift in Perspectives:

Architects, like artists, evolve in their interpretations over time. Van Gogh painted sunflowers at different points in his life, each version capturing a unique emotional narrative.

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Two Cut Sunflowers,1887_©httpswww.vincentvangogh.org
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Sunflowers, 1888_©httpswww.vincentvangogh.orgsunflowers.jsp.jpg

Similarly, the early works of famed architects like Le Corbusier are vastly different from the styles they became known for. As their perspectives shift, so do their designs.

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Maison Blanche_©httpsmaisonblanche.chune-maison-clelang=en.jpg

At its essence, architecture serves as the backdrop for human activities, and as the activity patterns evolve, so should the spaces people inhabit.

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Villa-Savoye_©httpsthearchinsider.comvilla-savoye-an-architectural-sculpture.jpg

Being An Architect: Beyond Walls

From homes to schools, parks to temples, the spaces we interact with are not just physical environments but carefully curated experiences. Architects decide what these spaces will represent. Their designs shape the experiences of those who use them.

Spaces shape experiences, and in turn, experiences shape spaces. Architecture is a reflection of both the creator and the user, intertwining their stories into a single, shared experience.

The cosy balcony, the pleasant walk in the park, and the transcendent atmosphere of a temple all reflect the vision of their designers. Architects are creative minds, with the user’s best interests at heart.

References List:

Zumthor, P. (2017a) Thinking architecture. Basel: Birkhäuser. 

Works of Corbusier -Foundation Le Corbusier. Available at: https://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/en/. 

Murphy, J. (2007) Edward Hopper (1882–1967): Essay: The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Heilbrunn timeline of art history, The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hopp/hd_hopp.htm (Accessed: 30 September 2024). 

How Architects are made (2024) TANKtv. Available at: https://tank.tv/18376/Intro (Accessed: 30 September 2024). 

Author

As an architecture student, Brunda has always been intrigued by Spaces and Sensitivity. She believes designers can foster positive and meaningful relationships using built environments. With interests in narrative building, stories in spaces, and urban design, she hopes to build dialogue on how we look at our environment.