Architecture: changes in perspective – Architecture is ‘the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones.’, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Some fast-developing cities of today appear to give the impression that the purpose of architecture or the so-called building race is to erect extravagant buildings to yield a wow factor. Architecture school, however, demonstrates that there’s much more to the profession than just highlighting the aesthetic features of a structure.
What Is Architecture? | Changes in Perspective
A more in-depth definition of the term ‘architecture’ could be that it is essentially creative problem-solving in that it facilitates the formation of built environments with an emphasis on functionality and practicality to the users while relating to the context. As an art form, architecture can be emotionally stimulating and open to interpretation. Unlike fine arts, such as painting and photography, which explore a 2D environment, or sculpture as another 3D medium, architecture in and of itself means to be functional and not solely viewed. Art can be interpreted, while architecture can be both interpreted and experienced, as it appeals to multiple senses. And therein lies the primary difference between art and design; design seeks to solve a user problem, while art is there to make observers think. In architecture, the solution is the design of a whole system that is functional through appropriate spatial planning that answers users’ needs and the use of materials and technology that help build the envisioned three-dimensional space.
Responsibility of Architects
Architecture school introduces technical subjects like construction materials and structural mechanics, which train students’ minds to think analytically and understand the physics behind their designs. Part of the curriculum is learning how to appropriately set up a building’s skeleton, which forms the technical framework of the design process, and understanding the importance of the relationship of the building to the site and its surrounding environment. At the end of the studies, the architecture graduate knows how to assemble a harmonious combination of form, function, structure, and materials as he finalizes a project.
‘It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.’ – David Allan Coe
Fundamentally, architecture is a service that aims to enhance the quality of life. Economic, environmental, and social responsibility lies at the profession’s core; as professionals in the built environment, architects seek to establish lasting structures (and communities) that will pay for themselves in the long run. Stemming from creating shelters has evolved into the design of a landscape that adds – functionally and aesthetically – value to the experience of its inhabitants.
Psychological Influence
A relatively new branch in psychology – environmental psychology – further supports the scale of impact that architecture plays in people’s lives. It helps architects understand how people are influenced by the physical environment and put that into practice so that the buildings they occupy positively impact their health. Considering that over 60% percent of the population will live in cities by 2050, this will become increasingly important, as the built environment involves a lot of stakeholders whose needs and well-being need to be considered. On top of that, the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need to live in healthy spaces with access to nature. An occupant-centered approach to design stimulates a better understanding of people’s experiences in these spaces and, consequently, the delivery of healthier communities.
‘The ultimate goal of the architect…is to create a paradise. Every house, every product of architecture… should be a fruit of our endeavor to build an earthly paradise for people.’ – Alvar Aalto
Take the architecture of schools, for instance. The demands of the upcoming generation of students are not reflected in the definition of the current school model, which was developed in the mid-to-late nineteenth century as a response to the Industrial Revolution. Schools back then were primarily standardized and designed to house the maximum number of students. Transitioning from cramped classrooms to alternate learning environments or areas created for a particular learning activity is one of the significant components of school transformation. This shift in perspective encourages the development of a new and improved school model that enhances the learning environment and the well-being of students through flexible learning spaces, outdoor learning courtyards, and a variety of learning settings explicitly suited for various activities.
Designers’ Perspective | Changes in Perspective
Like any design discipline, architects appreciate the creative process behind the built components of the environment and the importance of creating a functional “product” that responds to user requirements. They learn to become more perceptive and observant of the space around them through training – architecture school exercises analytical skills and encourages reflection on personal experiences in different architectural settings. Additionally, learning the relevance of technological advancements, changing demographic dynamics, and environmental issues like climate change pushes architects to anticipate future trends and problems, preparing them to come up with appropriate long-term solutions.
Conclusion | Changes in Perspective
With roots in the act of building shelter to satisfy a physiological need, the architectural profession has evolved into shaping buildings, communities, and cities whose planning and design affect everyone’s well-being. As a designer, the architect’s role is to provide a functional three-dimensional system that satisfies a program that meets a set of needs by its occupants; to create a pleasant environment that positively influences people’s emotions and well-being. As an artist, the architect can make a lasting impression of his three-dimensional artwork through people’s unique experiences and memory of the place. A fusion of these two roles, architecture as a tool, shapes the physical landscape and impacts how people feel and function daily.
Reference List
[1] Eloïse Sok-Paupardin (2021). Creating Healthier Buildings with Environmental Psychology [online]. Available at: https://www.sageglass.com/en/visionary-insights/environmental-psychology [Accessed: 08 October 2022]
[2] Baker, L (2012). A History of School Design and its Indoor Environmental Standards, 1900 to Today. Washington DC: National Institute of Building Sciences.
[3] Perez. B. (2017). Shifting School Design to the 21st Century: Challenges with Alternative Learning Environments. Masters level. University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
