The term architecture is reminiscent of tall bridges, bold facades, and luxurious interiors. However, architectural knowledge is not limited to the dimensions and materials of buildings. Architecture does not just refer to building a space to serve a designated function. It includes sensory perceptions, physical experiences within the space, and its role in developing a universal design strategy. Designing a space involves vast amounts of research, understanding the milieu, and site context, and coming up with a tailored solution to fulfil users’ requirements and enhance their well-being.
1. Set Designing: | Architectural Knowledge
There are various disciplines in which architectural expertise comes in handy. One such specialized field is of designing sets in cinema. Architecture compels the audience to acknowledge the credibility of a narrative through surreal settings and structures. Whether it is the majestic Hogwarts castle of the Harry Potter series or the legendary Stark Tower of the Marvel Universe, impactful movies invariably involve a significant role of the sets in which they shoot. Hence there are specialists like Set Designers and Art directors present throughout the shooting of a realistic narrative in the form of a film.
2. Fashion Designing:
The Fashion industry has also given architecture due importance in developing timeless designs. In the words of Coco Chanel, “Fashion is Architecture, it’s a matter of proportion.” These creative fields originate from Art. Design as the primary element and significance of principles of contrast, geometry, and form in both industries provides testimony to an undeniable relationship between them. Various fashion designers seek inspiration from magnificent structures to create chic outfits. This fusion of fashion and architecture is termed Architectural Fashion and is an experimental style that evolved with the worldwide acknowledgment and appreciation of architectural marvels.
3. Virtual Reality and Gaming: | Architectural Knowledge
The technology brought into play in the gaming industry is continually enhanced by Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Architectural knowledge and expertise brings a plethora of opportunities for creating a vivid gaming experience. Sundry games like Assassin’s Creed and Unity visualize pragmatic monuments and structures like Big Ben and Notre Dame to authenticate the user’s experience. Players pay a lot of attention to the arena, sometimes in search of guidance or admiration for the surreal and exquisite surroundings crafted for them. Graphics in video games have come a long way, considering iconic games of the 2000s era like GTA Vice City, which did not incorporate realistic architecture.
4. Archaeology:
Archaeology is the study of the human past using material remains. It includes understanding ancient wisdom and practices followed by a particular ethnicity or a group of people by analyzing the debris and deriving conclusions regarding their living standards. Like architecture, it is an interdisciplinary field and requires the contributions of various specialists like zoologists, botanists, scientists, architects, etc. Preservation and restoration interventions by organizations like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and UNESCO World Heritage Sites call for a consultation from architects. The awaited renovation of the Colosseum, with the addition of a retractable platform, featuring replicas of lifts and trapdoors used in the Roman Empire, has a prerequisite of architectural consultation.
5. Product Design:
A similar field extensively utilizing architectural knowledge is product design. It involves creating design solutions for daily life problems with the implication of ergonomics and anthropometry while designing products like shoes, pens, chairs, tables, etc. It ensures comfort and aesthetics without compromising on the function it serves. Efficient product design includes vast amounts of research and observation. It is an evolving process, generated by a concept and progressive experimentation, model-making, and supervising prototypes. Some iconic product designs that greatly influenced human life in little ways include ballpoint pens, which solved the problem of bleeding fountain pens, and Fitbit, which revolutionized health technology by accommodating a pedometer, clock, and an altimeter and sleep tracker in a sleek design. To devise design solutions to cater to human needs, knowledge in a design-related field is beneficial.
6. Aerospace Architecture: | Architectural Knowledge
Astronauts who enter the hostile atmospheric conditions of space, such as zero gravity, zero pressure, and extreme temperature changes, have adverse repercussions on their mental health. To mitigate these impacts, a safe zone must be established in which they can live their lives comfortably. Since the 1960s, architects and industrial designers have played a significant role in this field. The Soviet Union’s Vladimir Chelomey’s studio created the Salyut 1 space station, launched in 1971. Aerospace architecture refers to the amalgamation of aerospace engineering and architecture. It includes creating livable and inhabitable structures and surroundings in aerospace-related facilities, habitats, and vehicles. This metier comprises scientific platform aircraft and aircraft-deployable systems, space probes, space stations, habitats, and lunar and planetary surface construction bases, as well as Earth-based control, experiment, launch, logistics, cargo, simulation, and test facilities. The aesthetic attributes of these facilities impact human productivity and well-being, as well as optimize function and production through textures, color palettes, and patterns.
The above references add an interesting coda to the established versatility of spheres utilizing architectural knowledge. These fields evolve advanced solutions to the user’s complication, retaining their aesthetical exquisiteness and functionality. The apprehension of this field is also beneficial for the laic to understand notable topics like sustainability, efficiency, and green buildings, which are a primary concern for society, and hence choose sustainable options in their day-to-day lives.
References –
Online sources
- G, A. (2021). Significance Of Architecture In Video Game Design – Architecture Lab. [online] Available at: https://www.architecturelab.net/architecture-in-video-game-design/#:~:text=Architecture%20in%20the%20gaming%20world.
- Baher, I. and Farahat (2014). اﻟﺪوﻟﻲ اﻟﮭﻨﺪﺳﻲ اﻷزھﺮ ﻣﺆﺗﻤﺮ ﻋﺸﺮ اﻟﺜﺎﻟﺚ THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FASHION AND ARCHITECTURE. University Engineering Journal, JAUES, [online] 9(6). Available at: https://www.bau.edu.lb/BAUUpload/Library/Files/Architecture/Publications/THE%20INTERRELATIONSHIP%20BETWEEN%20FASHION%20AND.pdf.
- Anon, (2021). BECOME A SPACE ARCHITECT | SpaceArchitect.org. [online] Available at: https://spacearchitect.org/how-to-become-a-space-architect/ [Accessed 21 Jan. 2023].
Images/visual mediums
Citations for images/photographs – Print or Online:
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- Image 1- Access URL: https://www.bethanyschool.org.uk/harry-potter-trip/ [Photograph].
- Image 2- Access URL:https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/at-home/master-the-magic-of-set-design/ [Photograph].
- Image 3- Access URL:https://29desires.com/en/news/2062004758 [Photograph].
- Image 4- Access URL: https://assassinscreed.fandom.com/wiki/Notre-Dame [Photograph].
- Image 5- https://simpleandinteresting.wordpress.com/tag/colosseum-rome/
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- Image 6- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/italy-plans-install-floors-colosseum-1-180976635/ [Photograph].
- Image 7- Access URL: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a5440-10-most-influential-product-designers-of-all-time/ [Photograph].
- Image 8- Access URL: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-launch-of-salyut-the-world-s-first-space-station/ [Photograph].
