We form perceptions of everything we come across; time and again, emphasis has been given to the dynamic architectural fashion and the outlook towards it. Our immediate response to viewing modern-day infrastructure has an array of perspectives, like sustainability as a response to climate change issues has gained popularity among the architectural community. The people you live with, that is, your friends and family, the work you seem to do, the physical feeling of the body and the type of space you are confined/exposed/surrounded with contributing to the perception. The type of space carries with it the type of architecture, architectural language, which in turn is the functionality, convenience and comfort of the space.
It is undoubtedly clear to say that perception of anything is very subjective and also depends on varying intensities. It is likely that any field or expertise you are into lets you expand your thinking in a different way. In the case of Architecture, it sometimes makes you think about how a small product is made from scratch, how systems are formed, how anything big or small is produced and the amount of time that is spent in its production. More specifically, every built form an architect comes around, be it a high storied building, a statue, or almost any small structure, probably catches his attention, and it feels like a rush to have known about it more and more. Starting from the history, context, need and functionality to its final form, vibe and importance.
Absorbing architecture | Architectural language
Space can sometimes be transcendental and offer you with experience so deep that it makes you think of its creation. Human beings are composed of connections; with a friend, work, things, spaces and more. The perception of elements relating to architecture tends to lay an impact on the observer, and this impact often creates an impression of belongingness to the space. In a way, it makes you feel one with nature. When you go deep into architecture, one realizes that it’s not only:
- Tall skyscrapers but great heights that someone thought would be impactful and adventurous
- Big palaces but made of marvellous materials carried, laid and composed in proper proportions
- Colours but the feel they transfer to the mind, body and soul
- It’s not just the placement of housing plots but rather creating genuine scope for interaction between communities.
- A piece that is not just a form but a work of art
Role as an architect
Architects are taught to be bold humans. For an architect, even a small room feels like a frame of creation, like a movie scene where we know that every bit has been paid attention to just to get that perfectly composed frame that the director has at the back of his mind. Quoting Winston Churchill, “we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us” the line suggests the importance of building, creating or placing things as and when required, where and where not, with what, all and without what.
The ideologies, lessons, and principles taught at an architectural school make them the thought provokers of the inevitably changing environment, hopes and needs of the coming generation and inceptions.
We all are familiar with architects being called observers, but they are also realists who dwell on trying to make meaning out of things on a daily basis. It is of utmost importance for an architect to have his own view on subjects, dig into the aspects of creation, and channelize it the way out through his power of planning and design.
An ever-changing perspective
It is fair to say that the perception of humans develops after gaining an interest in architecture. In relation to any space that they occupy themselves with, they tend to spot differences, identify changes and can elaborate on how different things in nature work in accordance with each other. The architect knows he is responsible for turning the landscape upside down, playing with its landforms and ancient routes.
Christopher Charles Benninger, in his book “Letters to a young architect” (Christopher,2011), said, “architecture is history as it is a part of a behavioural pattern which persists over time. It is a process in the present, which draws on the past and creates the future” which perhaps tells us what is referred as true architecture in the simplest way and how it says something about the human condition that is unsteady. An architect seeks to offer every building with proper character that goes in harmony with the context of the site and also to which the people relate and examine on their own.
Agenda for future | Architectural language
It is, in fact, a play of art and a duty of an architect to create important places for the people who perceive them. The architect’s honest understanding of the world, its past and the various subjects draw inspiration which gets reflected in understanding the indulgence in his design. With the growth of new architectural ideologies like sustainability, net zero building, green roofs and certain others, it is indeed the best time to extract the best of architecture and pour it into the amazing canvas of the ever-beautiful landscapes present in interesting space as the architectural language.
