Architecture, as distinct from construction skills, is the art and technique of designing and building. It is a discipline that satisfies both functional and expressive needs, and, as a result, it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic goals. Although these two ends can be distinguished from one another, they cannot be separated.
Winston Churchill once said, “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.”
In this way, architecture has been shaping our societies from the first caves we built to the tallest buildings we have today. Throughout history, it has been a symbol of society, showing the ideals, victories, and eventual downfall of civilizations. At its roots, architecture is the physical environment in which people live, but it also plays a significant role in shaping societies. It serves as a metaphor for how one views themselves and how one views the world.
Humans have always coexisted and developed with architecture. From the fabled ancient structures to the contemporary wonders of the 20th century, architecture has evolved into a means of expressing human culture, development, and identity.
Influence of Architecture on Individuals
Architecture has unquestionably expanded the human perception of viewing spaces. Spaces are experienced differently by each individual. Population, culture, and time all have a role in shaping this phenomenon. Things that were once regarded as shelters are now regarded as pavilions, skyscrapers, or infrastructure. People have given them new names as their needs have changed over time.
Humans have always perceived space through their senses, and these perceptions affect them psychologically and physiologically. Architecture and the minds of people are the most important parts of a successful civilization. Mental health can be negatively impacted by one’s surroundings, but this is rarely acknowledged. What humans do and how they feel are profoundly influenced by the built environment, and this is true regardless of their emotional state. Most people don’t know how the places they spend time affect their mental health, which leads to an unnecessary problem.
Actual design success is determined by occupant contentment, as discussed in the following examples:
Perceiving Public Spaces
Built environments affect our cognition, decision-making, emotions, health, and social engagement. By surrounding yourself with positive influences, you can do better work, maintain your health and happiness, and keep yourself motivated to stay focused.
The creation of what we call a city and the connections that form inside it are intrinsically related to the existence of public spaces, which breathe life into unused urban areas. Public areas in a neighbourhood have a significant impact on the strength of bonds among its residents. As gathering spots, they can help with political mobilisation, direct action, and even crime prevention. It is perceived that the quality of the urban environment can be improved through people-to-people interactions and the ideas they foster. The psychological and physiological benefits of beautiful public spaces are well-known. A well-designed public area celebrates differences and facilitates coexistence, providing the foundation for long-term stability and encouraging residents to spend time in the open air.
Recent building projects in big cities have led to the construction of a lot of new tall buildings. If the two must coexist, it is important to know how the locals feel about these buildings.
Skyscrapers improve the urban landscape in numerous ways: they are aesthetically pleasing; they serve as a landmark for locating the city and as a symbol or icon for the entire region; and they are often connected with forward movement, modernism, development, and power; but there are many reasons to think that skyscrapers detract from cityscapes by obstructing views and damaging natural environments. They impede the effectiveness of naturally occurring features like lighting, shading, and ventilation.
Statistics show that architects have a slightly more positive view of skyscrapers than the rest of the population, but most people think that skyscrapers are bad for the cityscape.
However, as the population continues to increase and land remains a scarce resource, skyscrapers must be planned with consideration of their negative effects to exist within the urban fabric.
Elements Affecting the Visual Perception of Architectural Spaces
Perceptions are understood through knowledge and experience, and sometimes through instantaneous emotions and recollections. The most important component of perception is visual perception, which involves the sense of sight. To design visually appealing spaces that affect humans positively, we must understand the elements that affect the visual perception of a space.
Intangible Elements Affecting Visual Perception in Space
- Dimension Perception
This sort of perception is concerned with the sizes of objects, the relationships between sizes, and scale, and it represents the effect of scale on the experience of space. Scale in space may refer to its relationship to other locations, objects, or individuals. Since people use places and things, it’s important to think about their size when designing.
- Proportional Perception
When creating a space, the use of mathematical computations, geometrical shapes, and proportions alters people’s perceptions. By using abstract math to design concrete shapes based on an abstract proportion, a unique feeling is created.
- Perception of colour
Colour is the effect of light on the eyes, which depends on the structure of the light and its dispersion among objects. When physical, physiological, and psychological conditions are met, colour perception occurs. Different colours are perceived differently, with warm colours evoking a range of emotions, from warmth and comfort to anger and hostility. Blue, purple, and green are examples of cool colours that reside on the blue side of the visible spectrum. People often say that these colours are soothing, but they can also make you feel sad or uninterested.
- Perception of Light
Light is the physical energy that allows living things to perceive objects and colours with their eyes. In addition to the physical stimulation, the sense organ and the observer’s subjective state influence light perception. Light plays a crucial function in imparting meaning and expression to the environment.
- Reflection Perception
Reflection in space generates vitality and highlights space’s important traits. In other words, an architect accentuates the significance of a distinctive feature of space by reflecting it in the space through various techniques. Utilizing water components and mirrors is the most effective means of reflection.
- Perception of Nature
Nature has two effects on the sense of space: the first is the utilisation of nature as an elemental aspect in space; and the second is the creation of a perception of nature through designs that depict nature. To get this effect, water, trees, and flowers must exist in their natural habitats.
Tangible Elements Affecting Visual Perception in Space
- Perception of Form
The exterior look of an object is its form. The things that shapes bring to a space, like coziness, movement, and comfort, can make the space feel a certain way.
- Perception of materials
Natural and synthetic stones, terracotta, natural and synthetic wood, metal, plastic, and glass are frequently employed in the design and construction of interior spaces. Each of these materials has distinct effects on interior environments. When many materials are used, their characteristics and compatibility must be taken into account.
- Perception of Texture
The textures of surfaces primarily influence the visual impression and how a space is perceived. The optical texture of space relates to its visual pattern, whereas the tactile texture refers to its physically touchable things. Texture is a fun way to interact because it stimulates both our sight and touch.
Conclusion
Throughout the history of architecture, a variety of fascinating spatial effects have been achieved. It is the responsibility of architects to carefully assess each project, site, client, and function before deciding what kinds of spaces to design. Architects must never lose sight of the fact that the structures they create serve to confine space, and that strong spaces take precedence over intriguing shapes by a wide margin. Users should take advantage of the chance to perceive the spatial qualities architects produce, as architecture is one of the only professions that creates space. By doing this, architects have the ability to redefine the importance of their contribution to the ideation, design, and construction of an architectural item.
