Architecture? What is the whole talk about it? Is it that important to talk about? Does it make any difference in our lives? If you have the following doubts this article is about to make it easier to acknowledge what is the impact of Architecture on our lives. Architecture is more than the buildings, physical form, shells, blocks, and everything we know of. It is just not about the physicality of the structures, as it can evoke emotions, it can move your thoughts, it has a soul to it too.
We often ignore how a space makes us feel more secure, happy, depressed, scared, surprised, calm and all the possible emotions a human can feel. It has more to it, as every space, surrounding is made to make you feel some or the other way rather than just serving the function and purpose it was made to serve. It is clear how profound is the impact of architecture on human beings.
Architecture education
Architecture is much more than the five years of degrees you seek. In our current times, while studies have gone digital and classes being taken online, the field of architecture which is all about exploration, and experiencing while being out there in the field is going to make a huge difference in the mindset of the students and learners that will directly impact the process of their learning and then reflecting in the field. Maybe we become more sensitive towards it or maybe not. Whatever the learning outcomes are going to be we need to develop self-learning skills to be able to bring in the change for the better and understand our roles being architects, or designers and the impact of architecture on our society. We are going to be the creators, people of influence who will transform the current scenario in the field of architecture.
How architecture evokes varied emotions?
We often see public spaces, some of them are lively, full of people, and some are dull, or just there serving the purpose. So, it clearly says there are differences, and these are the outcomes of the architecture of those spaces. Architecture gives a space a sense of belonging, an identity, and experience. Architecture can make a huge impact on how a space is being viewed by the public or user of that space. There are interactive spaces for public, community areas serving the people of any particular area, everything is made as per the needs of the user. Impact of architecture is so as an open space with proper landscaping, street furniture, focal point, seating spaces right from which allows people to have a space of their own even while being in the public space, or a seating which allows a group of people to sit together and have a conversation which gives you validation and makes you a part of the community, it does not happen just like that, it is planned to be like this through architecture. Spaces like these make you feel secure, impact your mental or physical health, make a positive impact as human interaction is the basic necessity to survive. Whereas some spaces like taller buildings along with fast moving traffic roads make you feel less secure and keep you at a distance when it comes to human interaction as the more you move above the ground the more you lose human interaction.
What plays a major role?
Sizes and dimensions also play a crucial role in impacting our thoughts about a place. The presence of geometry in the space and the arrangement of the building or structural blocks, patterns of the forms affect our mood. It moves us psychologically. A space has the ability to even promote security or either encourage criminal activities, such is the power of architecture. It is both artistic and scientific amalgamation to work things out. Space that is open to nature or allows greens into it becomes warmer, welcoming, and calms down the mind and body and brings out productivity if that is applied to work spaces because they let you give a break from the computer screens, opportunity to have a conversation with you colleagues and be by your own self for a while.
Being social
Social interactions, social connections can be improved by the right design, thought process, right application. We are affected by the sizes, shapes of the constructed environment that architecture has given us. Architecture impacts the different areas concerning climate, environment, culture, social ties, in different aspects. It is the impact of architecture that lets us connect to our history, culture, heritage, etc. A good environment leaves a great impact on everyone who experiences it.
We as architects have the ability to change the community, spaces for the community. We need to develop that sense of understanding, awakening, and work towards the overall development of our society and make it more inclusive, and more humane in nature while transforming the quality of the environment, livability, to reach well to better.
