Space. A space is called by different names, an auditorium, a garden, a room, a closet. Space, the one where you are standing or sitting right now and reading this, has a name you call it, has memories of someone you know, or stranger you don’t know, or maybe yourself. Otherwise, It is about to create some in the future. A space has stories, and Architecture is the language in which you hear them more distinctly. Be it a strong voice of rebel or a silent emotional connection; it is sketched, drafted, and brought into physical forms or voids via spaces. These stories are what create moments in human life. Active or Passive, they leave humanity with something more than just a geographical location. Of course, this could be a generalized description of the impact a space leaves through architecture. The specifics change with the stories each user or non-user perceives from the space itself.
The Passive Language
One evening, just when the red sun was about to set. I was on my way back from hill temple when I found a kid helping another who had injured his leg. The little group was taking a pause on the landing, and the one seemed to have forgotten the pain a little; they spoke, breathed the view of the town spread in front of them with the cold breeze, and then climbed down. They simply went on to continue with their lives. A space as simple as a landing on a staircase timed and slotted in the course perfectly can create an impact. In this particular case, maybe not to start a revolution but spread kindness. In the 21st century, we know the latter is as important as the former.
The abstract from this common man’s perspective is that the daily space you see, you feel, have stories to tell. Different stories to different users. Even some spaces might tell you more when people are not using them. These kids did not come to the temple; they came for the view. For the stairs to be specific. Despite their religion and age, it had a seat for them to unravel their innocent life complexities as they watched them roll down the hills. This beautiful sight encouraged the people from the temple to let their grounds for other activities too—community competitions for the kids and other social activities where everyone is welcome despite their differences. Architecture is commonly misunderstood as it is not only about heavy arches, luxury bathrooms, or exclusive beautification. Architecture is also as simple as a perfectly planned staircase landing. The impact of it could lead towards community reformation.
The Active Language
That said, we cannot disagree that this is one of many possible stories that solidified from this space. We could partially agree with the argument that not all spaces could create an impact. And that is where the importance of architecture has to be acknowledged. When we talk about how the perfect design can imprint upon the users, it is hard not to talk about the negative influence it could leave, how a classroom that is supposed to create the future businessmen creates more mental health problems in this country.
How a well-designed campus can leave an impact on the economy. How just the spatial quality of the corridor, from one class to another, induces creativity or regeneration that is needed. When I first walked through the campus of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Like any other film buff, ‘3 idiots’ was replaying inside my head. But the film faded away slowly before I knew it. I was more amused by the Intertwining greenery with the path. The Activity nodes that were placed at intervals along the path, the classrooms that invited more natural light, all attributed towards a healthy lifestyle. I couldn’t help but wonder how the absence of this kind of spatial designing might have easily increased the weight of knowledge on the building and its users.
Architecture, with its stronger footprint in history, as well as its subtle touches in individual lives, has created an impact that lasted longer than the structures that speak them. In the history of time, the changing architectural styles have established power, boundaries, and security. In today’s world, urban planning is aimed to create a better community.
Henry Irwin’s British signature on Madras domes, Mughal architecture seen in Humayun’s tomb, the uncommon arches left behind in Ajmer streets, and thoughtful fenestration in any other building, all together tell the world and its people different stories every day. It makes the users comfortable creative, feel the past struggle or hear the native voice. In one way or the other, these stories create an impact. It is influencing some people to create better societies and encouraging others to live their individual lives better. In a nutshell, It’s the space. That is how architecture leaves an impact; the story a well-designed space narrates.
