How Architecture Changed My Perspective!
What is Architecture for me? Architecture or the study of architecture is defined as the art and science of designing and erecting buildings. This definition is simple to understand. But my definition of Architecture as of this moment has tremendously changed. I used to think the result was important compared to the process but it is vis-a-versa. Thinking about architecture as a team-build exercise changes the overall meaning. that is if you want to build an association suggest a church, it is the process of bringing people together that creates the community to use that church, not the other way round. Before joining architecture, I didn’t understand the value of space and why it was designed. I used to design a structure based on the design briefs, requirements of the users, and so on, without realizing the true meaning of it looking from a vast aspect. Architecture Study has changed my overall perspective.
Change in Perception
From the above image, it is stated that after entering architecture, I merely do not look into space but carefully OBSERVES it. A public space that is a source of entertainment for the general public becomes a source of information and inspiration. After entering architecture, I learned to see the world from a different perspective. It changed my perspective and taught me to think architecturally. Whenever I visit any random public space or a building, my mind starts to analyze the space based on not only its aesthetics but the concept, orientation, climate responsive design, planning, material, user-friendly design, connectivity, green building, and functionality, and so on.
Not only observing the work but there is also a curiosity to know more about the space, the history, challenges faced by the architect, the idea behind the design, etc. Also, there is a special feeling while touching and feeling the material and understanding why it was used. This kind of perspective and observational skillset gets developed once you understand and enter architecture.
Visualization
Before architecture, it was always stated to us to put our imagination into WORDS to explain it to someone else. After coming into architecture, the most basic thing that is demanded from an architect/architecture student is the ability to put their ideas on a piece of paper in the form of conceptual sketches, abstracts, bubble diagrams, quick sketches, conceptual sections, etc. It is stated that an Artist cannot be an Architect but an Architect can be an Artist.
Also, when we look at the best designs around the world, their conceptual sketches can be considered none other than some random scribble on paper which is something demanded in architecture, and throughout an architecture degree, students are taught to put their ideas in the form of sketches (called as random scribbling on the paper). This can be explained through a famous example of a museum by Frank Gehry named Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, whose initial sketches were random scribbling of the thoughts and images he had in mind which he put on the piece of paper which in turn is visible as one of his greatest architectural works of this time.
Random objects as Concepts!
What is a concept? In a general form, a concept is defined as something conceived in the mind. It can be understood as abstract ideas. Coming into architecture, the definition has advanced. A concept is an idea, thought or notion that forms the backbone and foundation of a design project and one that drives it forward. It becomes the force and identity behind a project’s progress and is consistently consulted throughout every stage of its development making necessary alterations in design and planning.
Diving into architecture made me realize that any object can be visualized into a meaningful structure and provided a valid explanation for the design. The Rubic’s Cube museum in Hungary is an unconventional monumental structure derived from a Rubic’s Cube that can be stated as an example. The Rubik’s Cube Museum is a tourist attraction in Budapest. Designed by Ernő Rubik, the building was initially envisioned as a symbol of Hungary’s intellectualism and culture.
Architecture is the most important part of construction. The architecture would define how the structure would look like in the real practical world being used by its users, and how it should be built for them. Architecture is one of the most important fundamentals of design and development. Without architecture, a building wouldn’t be complete. Architecture starts with complete planning and creates impressive designs. Good and thoughtful architecture can raise the human spirit to soar heights giving them a new life in the form of heavenly space to experience, while bad design can crush the life out of its users every day while using it. So it becomes the responsibility of the architects to make a space a beautiful place to live with their user-friendly designs. These are some of my definitions of architecture that have advanced in a course of time and will be advancing with more experience in the future.
References:
- https://www.archisoup.com/what-is-an-architectural-concept
- https://getgocube.com/play/rubiks-cube-museum/
- https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/museum/ https://homesthetics.net/45-of-the-most-famous-buildings-in-the-world-that-are-known-for-their-unconventional-architectural-structure/
- https://homesthetics.net/45-of-the-most-famous-buildings-in-the-world-that-are-known-for-their-unconventional-architectural-structure/
- https://mymodernmet.com/webcomic-architects-leewardists/
- https://twitter.com/leewardists/status/1328174779623374850/photo/
- https://blogs.getty.edu/iris/audio-frank-gehrys-los-angeles-part-3-2/
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/best-of-frank-gehry-slideshow
