Architectural Metaphor – If Architecture were a person rather than a profession, they would be a sculptor beyond the capacity of human measurement – a person who could mold space and alter physicality, someone who would dramatically alter the lives of many people with every single stroke of their hand.
Architecture has always held the ability to change the world. Architects, as a general idea, hold themselves apart from the rest of humanity. Architecture is what has been made for ‘them’, that is, for the public to experience, not the creators. And this is why, being on different sides of the same coin drastically shifts the perception of the environment and the built form around us, something that architects and ‘the others’ come across in even numbers daily.
Experiencing the experience | Architectural Metaphor
Experiencing architecture as an architect oneself is truly a disturbing but somehow still pleasant activity, something like the numbness after playing in the snow. The study of architecture with the notion of practicing it automatically pushes the would-be architect to hyper-criticism – be it architectural, or otherwise. They begin to notice the structure as a possible creator – what has happened well, and what could have been done better, had they been granted the opportunity to design the same thing. Every architectural built-form or designer creation would be scrutinized extensively through a lens of sensitive scrutiny – the architect is both, an empathizer and a critic at the same time.
Architect tends to hold an opinion on everything due to their education, where they are trained and exposed to a variety of art, along with an astute inculcation of the habit of being critical about everything they come across. Architects experiencing architecture puts them into a zone of detail-oriented scouting and in-depth analysis, rather than just enjoying the space as the designer destined for it to be used. An additional instrument that aids a designer is their hypersensitivity to color, ground, as well as texture since their learning and experience imbibes this into their professional and personal knowledge.
This does also allow a different angle to look at the built form. Architects and designers look at any room or the inside of a structure as ‘space’, rather than an enclosure. The leftover and the in-between are what create the experience of any piece of architecture. Architects are able to automatically separate the built form from the unbuilt with the subconscious exercise that allows them to understand the merger of these two at every boundary visible.
Architecture and Humanity
Exposure to Architecture and architectural education influences the perception of people. This form of education also tends to influence our perception of the emotions around us. Architecture teaches patience and belief – it encourages stability in emotion and the feeling for a longer and more fulfilling journey in life.
An architect, with experience in their field, will be one of the most patient and enduring people in a room full of intellectuals. They can sit still for hours, focused on one single act or task. This patience also contributes to an architect’s more tangible skills – talking and hearing. Be it persuasive conversations with clients or just a discussion with the public in general, architects develop astute speaking and listening skills over time, creating a comfortable atmosphere for themselves and everyone in their vicinity. Communication with designers is pleasant, informative, and interesting, and a generous helping of knowledgable titbits and facts definitely helps!
The amount of time consumed by architectural projects teaches practitioners and users alike to plan and visualize better. Architects start out in their career with the understanding that whatever work or project they pick up will take time – and this patience, if not present immediately, will definitely develop soon after the very first project. This allows them to lay down long-term targets which are precisely calculated and usually achievable.
A possible downturn of this effect of architectural education or of being the users of architecture is the false sense of pride and class. Architectural superiority, which may stem from the size of the built forms or the cost of construction of the architect’s or the user’s structures, can lead to skepticism and distrust in anyone but oneself. Architecture can lead to a person’s hyper-inflated egoism or also contribute to someone’s explosive assertiveness. It is an asset that is tangible and yet holds the ability to evoke emotion.
Conclusion | Architectural Metaphor
An architect has the ability to leave behind history – through creating the space we occupy every day, or even sometimes or possibly once in our lifetimes. Architecture and architectural education create men and women with varied perceptions of public spaces, homes, and commercial, which allows the creation of brilliant areas and unforgettable experiences.
No walk of life remains unaffected by the influence of architecture. Built form is used by every individual, and not only the physicality but the mental and emotional ambiance of any place is influenced by the architecture of it. Its impact on our lives is more significant than it is visible – architecture has been as essential to humankind as has the development of industry and agriculture.
References | Architectural Metaphor
- Rand. A. (1943), The Fountainhead, Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company
