Art has been a vital part of storytelling for ages. It has been adapted from primitive cave drawings to intricately designed paintings through song, dance, and theatre, to the grandest of them – Architecture. Architecture occupies a prime position in the wide spectrum of art, largely because of its monumentality. Just as art forms like music, dance, and film help in cultural storytelling, architecture accomplishes this form of storytelling with a sense of longevity and monumentality. This allows for the translation of personal stories and emotions to a grander scale with a more permanent duration.
So, what are the different ways that architecture affects us?
Cultural impact
Since architecture spreads far and wide, from religious centres to metropolitan cities, it has a significant role in supporting the cultural scene of the area. The architecture of the region sets itself up as a landmark, telling stories of the region; stories of victory and wealth, power and pride, love and loss, and many more. Hence, architects help in passing down these stories to present-day society. Besides this, the architecture of the region helps us connect to the past. It acts as a “nostalgic bookmark” of historical eras and tells us the story of the development of society to what it is today, guiding our path to the future.
A good architect integrates a story or emotion into the design by incorporating appropriate visual expressions. One can present this process in the design by showcasing design elements (form, colour, texture, etc.) in the use of building elements (walls, roofs, columns, windows, etc.), keeping in mind certain design principles (repetition, balance, contrast, etc.).
The First Impression
Architecture is the most visible characteristic of a nation. It gives a first-hand impression of the characteristics of the place in terms of its wealth, beliefs, and the general connection to its history and culture. This first image formats our view of the place and subsequently changes our mindset.
We can easily see this when we equate the presence of numerous “modern”, glass and steel, minimalistic buildings in an area as more advanced, while those places that feature a more traditional style are deemed as “primitive”. This flawed mindset usually creates preconceived notions of the places and people of the region, causing further separations in society.
In reality, it is seen that those “rural” areas with a vernacular style of architecture exude more of a community-based lifestyle instead of an individualistic one, where there is often a complete dissociation from each other and the past.
An example of where this is easily seen is the varying styles of traditional architecture throughout the villages of South Africa. These traditional structures comprise a style developed in response to local culture, materials, climate, etc. Each of the buildings here has unique forms and embellishments, hinting at a strong connection with stories from the past. The modern cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, etc., in the country, though functionally and technologically advanced, showcase a style that completely ignores these more vernacular designs and uses a basic and empty set of design modules.
Practical implications
Besides these visual and cultural contributions to society, architecture possesses obvious practical applications as well. The basic use of the building, based on its function and how practically the forms and spaces are arranged to carry out this function, are the main deciding factors for a common user of the building. Visual characteristics of the space, on a more theoretical level, like design elements, concepts, and processes, though visible, are not usually noticed by the average person.
A person would rather be comfortable in using a particular building than being impacted by its story or expression.
This leads us to the major psychological aspect as well. The design of the space can greatly impact a person’s experience. The way the design affects a person’s physical and mental health (mood, behaviour, and decisions) greatly determines the reaction of the users to the building. This factor is largely determined by the functionality, aesthetics, and general comfort provided by design.
Best Case scenario
The ideal model is seen to be a structure that shows a perfect blend of conceptual design features, with an arrangement that will provide maximum functional benefits to the user while succeeding in the storytelling process. Some of the greatest pioneers in the field, design with this mindset. Their designs are usually a result of the direct inspiration from the local culture and help in the telling of a new story of the community.
Hassan Fathy, an Egyptian architect, follows this concept of design. Fathy believed that “culture is the result of the interaction between man’s intelligence and his environment in order to satisfy his physical and spiritual needs”. His style usually includes ecstatic formwork, with great attention to cultural and traditional values. This can be seen in the building elements, material choice, construction techniques, etc. His projects like the New Gourna Village and the New Baris Village in Kharga show his great belief in cultural continuity in terms of design. Inspired by the traditional principles of the villages of the area, he crafted his style as one that respects the surrounding environment and culture and works with said local culture, technology, and craftsmen, with a modern execution of the design.
Architecture, being a universal and age-old field, is seen to impact people in different ways. When a design tells its own story, using the technology and knowledge of the area while still providing complete functionality, a person can be positively impacted by it. In this way, architecture acts as a ‘silent language’. A language that has the power to connect people with each other and the past. A language that will continue to write down the extravagant stories of the people around us for years to come.
References
EI-shorbagy, A. (2001). THE ARCHITECTURE OF HASSAN FATHY: BETWEEN WESTERN AND NON-WESTERN PERSPECTIVES. [pdf] pp.168–174. Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/35469027.pdf [Accessed 16 Jun. 2021].
