Profession of designing buildings, open spaces, communities and other man-made constructions and environments, generally taking into account the aesthetic effect. Architecture often includes the creation or selection of furniture and decorations, the supervision of construction work, as well as the examination, restoration or renovation of existing buildings.
While artists work from the real to the abstract, architects must work from the abstract to the real. Architecture, under all its limits of engineering, safety, function, climate and economy, arouses us with creations in space and light made in the abstract.
The contribution of Vitruvius: from Roman Antiquity to the Renaissance
Architecture is a passion, a calling, a calling – as well as a science and a business. It has been described as a social art and a crafty science. Architecture must be of the highest design quality. Architecture provides, in the words of Marcus Vitruvius, the great Roman architect and historian, “steadfastness, convenience and pleasure. “
Architecture is everywhere. All buildings: home, school, office, hospital and supermarket were designed for their particular purpose. It is vitally important that these buildings, and in turn the environments they form, as well as the neighborhoods and cities of which they are a part, are designed to be the best possible buildings, depending on their context, their use and their users.
Architecture has the ability to significantly influence outcomes: it can affect our relationships with each other, increase business productivity, support communities and neighborhoods, improve health, and even reduce crime.
Architecture also has the power to inspire and delight – it can enhance everyday experiences.
What is architecture?
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures. A broader definition often includes the design of the whole built environment, from the macro level of town planning, urban design and landscape architecture to the micro level of building details and, sometimes, furniture. The term “architecture” is also used for the profession of providing architectural services.
Francis Kéré Architecture’s installation introduces the value of an African gathering in Chicago
Architectural design is primarily guided by the holistic manipulation of mass, space, volume, texture, light, shadows, materials, program, and realistic elements such as cost, construction and technology, in order to achieve an aesthetic, functional and sometimes artistic end. This distinguishes architecture from engineering design, which is usually driven primarily by the creative application of mathematical and scientific principles.
Interior Architecture bridges interior design and architectural practices so that professionals working in the field have training in structures and load management, with an emphasis on interior spaces . The domain is similar to architecture in that it deals with load-bearing structures and walls. It resembles interior design in that it focuses on interior spaces.
There is no single approach in architecture, each construction project must respond to its unique context: site, climate, social, budget and materials.
Buildings must also be able to age well, adapt to changing needs and have the flexibility to adapt to various uses. They also need to be built sustainably, both in the materials they use during construction and the energy resources they need to function.
Architecture is the constructed realization of a particular concept or idea. This idea can be about construction, how people will use a building, or how the building fits into a physical or social landscape.
–Humanity leaves immortal echoes throughout its history using the media of language, art, knowledge and architecture.–
Plus the concepts and ideas formulated by the architect have an imminence for contemporary living, thinking and working conditions. We want architecture to be part of the critical changes that affect our lives and not just provide a backdrop.
Developers, businesses and politicians understand the marketing value of architecture, as long as it attracts attention. But that can’t be all there is. Architects themselves, who devote their ideas and talents to serving the interests of developers, businesses and politicians, more urgently ignore critical conditions. Continuing the fight to understand what architecture is helps keep everyone, especially architects, more honest.
Architecture: between art and science
The balanced integration of artistic sensibility and scientific methodology into the design of buildings and their environments is essential to the creation of quality architecture.
Public domain refers to public streets and parks, where buildings are located. Architecture clearly meets this definition. As audiences, we all interact with architecture. We are affected both practically and emotionally by how a building appears in its context and by its interior surroundings.
The scientific method is used by architects to research and develop concepts at the countless levels necessary for the creation of buildings. These levels include understanding the surrounding context from environmental, historical, stylistic and infrastructure perspectives; and determining the program areas required by users such as interior products, structure, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, technological and security systems.
The orchestration between art and science involves discipline in lateral and linear thought processes. Lateral thinking (divergent approach) uses analogies and connects ideas across a spectrum to create something imaginative. Linear thinking (convergent approach) is a step-by-step idea that keeps us grounded and leads to a specific outcome.
In the simplest sense, architecture is the design of buildings, groups of buildings, and often the space between buildings. But the scope of architecture goes far beyond the simple drawing of plans.
Architecture takes the imagination; the ability to commission ideas and communicate them clearly, creatively (not necessarily artistic ability), a keen interest in human behavior, our habitat and the natural environment, and problem-solving skills.
The importance of architecture
Have you ever wondered why architecture is so important to the society we live in? Architecture is the art that provides us with the physical environment in which we live. It is a profound expression of human civilization at a given time. It will endure and survive us in the form of monuments that future generations will study and strive to understand.
All architects represent a great strength in our society because architecture is also an expression of the strengths of society as well as of their technological progress. Architecture is a form of visual art that creates irrevocable works. Man values this art so much because it is a permanent expression of the values, desires, ways of thinking and ideals, ideology and much more of society at any given time. It’s like a reflection in the mirror, a way in which society sees itself and how it perceives the environment, nature and finally this world.
Architecture can indeed serve as a small time capsule of human history. It reveals to us human thoughts, ideals, ideas, even our fears and worries. All human thoughts and emotions can be reflected in a powerful work of art that awaits us as we stand still, gazing in awe. It reflects our culture, who we are and how we belong to society.
As you probably know, architecture is both an art and a science. As art, it provides us with an outlet for creative expression and enables society to see, create and shape its environment and living space differently, in unique ways. As a science, architecture also covers our functional needs by providing us with a practical and comfortable living space and environment.
Ideally, when creating their work, architectural experts should always equally integrate functionality and aesthetic aspects into the design of their buildings. Thanks to modern technology, the boundaries of architecture are constantly expanding and new wonders can be created every day. Unfortunately, many architects neglected the aesthetics of their work to the detriment of functionality, thus losing the unique difference that existed between architecture and engineering.