As an architect, you design for the present with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown. – Ar. Norman Foster

We all know that no two structures are alike. The goal of construction is to provide a beautiful and inviting environment for people to live in. Architectural style, on the other hand, is more than a pretty picture. It is the human race’s habitat, a secret reminder of how they see the world.

It is impossible to overlook society’s vast construction influence. As a result, the Architect is an enormously powerful user with a lot of influence. Community engineers can renovate buildings and other structures in the same way that architects can. The architect, on the other hand, is the one who will reveal the buildings’ impact on the neighborhood. He is a person who makes something out of nothing while also considering the social and psychological ramifications. This aids in the manifestation of societal change.

We, humans, are predictors – all we must do is build structures that will help us do things. Places to eat, sleep, study, shop, shop, and relax promote healthy living. And it is a subtle way of expressing our thoughts, desires, and emotions. This has led to the birth of various structures at the human, social and cultural levels.

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Impacts on society-@architecture today

Society and Architecture | Impacts on society

Would you wish to spend the rest of your time in Romanesque architecture? The response will be “no.” Why? As a reflection of the past and a tourist attraction, these structures have found a place in contemporary society. Architecture always is ahead of the curve. Architectural style evolves in tandem with societal changes. As fresh concepts for new buildings arise, old buildings are falling out of favor. Buildings will be constructed and demolished by the community.

That said, one can believe that society has a strong influence on society when, in fact, the contrary is true. There is research to back up the claim that buildings have an impact on society. The study was published in the journals World Health Design, HERD, and Environmental Behavior. Buildings in dark regions with attractive structures can be tough to think about. Beautiful and long-lasting architecture, on the other hand, contributes to a serene environment. As a result, it is entirely dependent on the architectural style.

People have come to recognize the power of structures. As a result of this recognition, a nationwide construction initiative has emerged. Everything in natural cities is interwoven into the existing natural environment. Fabricated cities, on the other hand, are built from the ground up to improve the community’s quality of life.

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Impacts on society-La Sagrada Familia_ https://www.theflashpacker.net/visiting-sagrada-familia-tips/

The Positive Effects of Thoughtful Architectural Design

The style of architecture has evolved as public preferences have shifted and discoveries and techniques have been discovered. Some forms were short-lived fads, while others have endured the test of time and have influenced even modern architecture.

The absence of chaos is represented through patterns, which signify harmony and order. Our ancestors’ chances of survival improved when they were able to recognize patterns and forecast what would happen next. Patterns in our brain that detect nature as a benefit to our ancestors elicit a comparable immunological response in us today. It is understandable that confusion or uncertainty, rather than a pattern, can harm our health.

The Negative Effects of Poorly Designed Architecture 

Although the psychological benefits of beautiful buildings are now widely known, there was a period when the traditionally taught qualities of architecture (form, use, and aesthetics) were abandoned to change the landscape, resources, and artisanship. Due to an increase in the number of people from child development after World War II, there was an increase in demand for housing and utilities. As a result, the demand to construct swiftly and effectively developed. Because of the restricted technology available at the period, this meant smaller, smaller homes that focused on the form, utility, and handicrafts listed above. In the 1950s, this resulted in a proliferation of small, decaying dwellings (which is a lack of material that makes us satisfied with our answer) ‘box’ of low-rise housing that was not well thought out in terms of floor layout, space usage, or a design of beauty.

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Impacts on society-A photo of the exterior of the National Taichung Theater_Michael Sú

Conclusion | Impacts on society

In summary, architecture and design can have a significant impact on a person’s thoughts and feelings. Structures that use functional patterns like Nine Square or recreate a sense of security that our ancestors felt in the savanna have a good psychological effect and promote the release of brain chemicals that make us happy. Poorly maintained structures make us nervous by activating our sympathetic nervous system, which is bad for our health. 

The variety of diverse buildings and shops stimulates our thinking, whereas the monotonous repeating buildings frighten us and have been demonstrated to be unpleasant. Furthermore, repeated exposure to these hazardous building materials can be harmful to one’s health because it can cause chronic stress. Fortunately, with all our psychology knowledge and construction technology, both are preventable and reversible. In an ideal world, new structures and urban areas should not only avoid but also seek to mitigate these bad features by integrating the above-mentioned useful design principles.

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Impacts on society-An inner view of the vegetation enclosed within The Eden Project. From The Eden Project_Herry Lawford
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The stressful, overcrowded, and repetitive neighborhoods characterized the age of suburbia. From Image Levittown, Long Island, NY by unknown, 1948, Copyright 2011_Mark Mathosian.
The overuse of cement in this building is representative of the color devoid, overly simplistic, boxy architecture that was frequently used in city landscapes during the post-war modern period. From Image George Square Theater_Andy A., 2011

References:

Russell, J. A., & Lanius, U. F. (1984). Adaptation level and the affective appraisal of environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology,4(2), 119-135. 

https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2850&context=cmc_theses

Fig.1 Architecture Today

Fig. 2 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms

Fig.3 https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelrpf/15329877684.

Fig.4 https://www.flickr.com/photos/herry/3294823869

Fig.5 https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgregory/8087087647

Fig.6 https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaputniq/6113408115

Author

Isha Chaudhary is an architect who combines her technical expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior and emotions to create spaces that resonate with users. Beyond her design work, she is an avid architecture writer who uses her words to convey the thoughts and intentions behind her designs. Through her writings, she shares insights into her creative process, inviting readers into the world of architecture and design. She believes that architecture is not just about buildings; it's about the stories they tell and the emotions they evoke.