“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine
Once a renowned architect said that the first step to understanding architecture is by exploring through traveling. Travelling can teach one much more than any university or college can. Through interactions, people can learn about their culture, habitat, traditions, history, language, and unexplored destination.
Every geolocation on this earth has been existing for ages and has its own story to tell. With history comes the art, culture, and architecture of that place. Our heritage plays a significant role in framing our future. Hence, exploring and traveling to any destination would enrich individuals with tons of unknown facts and knowledge. If we consider India as an example, we can see a vast difference in culture, habitat, climate, and livelihood of the residing people that directly influences the architecture of that place. The vernacular architecture of the Northeast is so different from that of the west or central India.
In an interview, Kengo Kuma was once asked for his advice to upcoming young architects. He simply asked them “to travel the farthest part of the world.” He further added that his trip to a village in the Sahara Desert during his university days influenced him throughout his life. No one has an iota idea about what could impact them for the rest of their life.
Traveling to new places is not only an effective way to explore the world, but it also gives you a chance to see the hidden architecture in every place. Stroll through an old European city with street-level architecture or take a night hike through the Amazon rainforest, where roaming plants and trees reach out for miles. They are available to anyone interested.
If you’ve ever been stumped as to what to do with your free time, why not take a trip abroad and explore the world’s most amazing architectural structures? A Reddit user shared his story of how he traveled around Europe, snapping photos of the architecture he saw. From cathedrals in France to Mayan temples in Mexico, it’s easy to imagine that these awe-inspiring structures would be impossible to reconstruct today. Travelling offers us a chance to see the world beyond our backyard. Travelling opens our eyes to new cultures, new cuisines, and new architectures.
There are many hidden architectural gems in India, and while some may view this country as a hotbed of architectural treasures, for most people they exist in a land of plain sight. For example, take the Madras High Court where not only is the building itself a marvel to behold but it also serves as an architectural example for many other buildings across India. Indian cities are far more than just monuments to poverty and traveling can help one explore them in your free time without needing to leave your own country at all.
Today, architecture is not just about the buildings. It also includes the space around it, the infrastructure, and its surroundings. Whether you’re walking down the street, taking a train to work, or just watching TV at home, you’re surrounded by buildings and spaces that were designed by architects. You will never know what amazing architecture is hidden in your city unless you explore it yourself. Many of us are curious about what lies behind the walls that are often seen in rural India or abroad. It is not just about exploring popular tourist destinations but also looking into the lives of people living there.
India has many ancient Indian architecture hidden marvels. These ancient architectures can be found all over India- from Konark to Khajuraho to Hampi, these Indian architectures are iconic and awe-inspiring but it is not easy at all for someone’s first-time traveler to find these places.
There is a certain charm about traveling and the new experiences that come with it. Traveling allows you to explore and experience different cultures, architecture, and history not just of one’s destination but also about surrounding locations. One of the most interesting parts of traveling is visiting places you wouldn’t normally see if you didn’t make the trip. These hidden or forgotten places hold a lot of history and meaning to those who find them. It’s these hidden treasures that make travel worthwhile because they make each trip unique and memorable in its own right. Documentation of these experiences will be a treasure forever.
The internet is a great resource for exploring the world in its hidden plain sight. While traveling isn’t always possible, exploring architecture can be done from anywhere. There are many articles on the topic of architecture with suggestions for where to start. Some people also enjoy photography and can start from it. We have all heard of famous architects but there are so many more out there who deserve recognition for their work. If you can’t travel, explore architectural gems at home by reading about them or looking at photographs of them instead!
“To experience architecture, you need to visit many places. You are not restricted to one or two buildings in your city. You can’t just walk around Venice and be bored of it after a day. Architecture is everywhere—even the airport!” – Tadao Ando
