Architecture | Field of Innovation
The difference between Architecture and building is a subject that has attached the attention of many. According to Nikolaus Pevsner, European historian, a bicycle shed is a building; Lincoln Cathedral is a piece of architecture. This distinction, however, is not a clear one, and contemporary scholarship is showing that all buildings, cathedrals and bicycle sheds alike, are part of a single continuum that characterizes the built world.
Architecture is an art of designing the built environment. Buildings, landscaping and street designs are the three important elements, which impart both functional as well as aesthetic character to architecture. Building features such as cornices, gables, entrances, fenestrations and textures may be used to soften or enhance buildings with colourful plants and trees. Landscape Architecture is also a vital part of design.
Street side features such as decorative lighting, benches, meandering walkways, and bicycle lanes may enhance a site for passerby, pedestrians and cyclists. Landscaping elements also play an important role in enhancing the aesthetics of the built environment.
According to Vitruvius, good buildings satisfy three core principles: Firmness, commodity and Delight. Architecture can be said to be a balance and coordination among these three elements, with none overpowering the others. A modern day definition sees architecture as addressing aesthetic, structural and functional considerations. However, looked at another way, function itself is seen as encompassing all criteria including aesthetic, psychological and cultural ones.
Most modern day definition of “good buildings” recognize that because architecture does not exist in a vacuum architectural form cannot be merely a compilation of historical precedent, functional necessities and social aware concerns, but must also be a transcendent synthesis of all of the former and a creation of worth in and of itself.
As Nunzia Rodanini stated, “Through its aesthetic dimension, architecture goes beyond the functional aspect that it has in common with other human sciences.
Through its own particular way of expressing values architecture can stimulate and influence social life without presuming that, in and of itself, it will promote social development. To restrict the meaning of (architecture) formalism to art for art’s sake is not the only reactionary can also be a purposeless quest for perfection or originality which degrades from into a mere instrumentality.
Architecture I believe is Kiasma because it is still a dilemma whether Architecture is creating beauty or living beautifully. Is it creating surfaces or is it making spaces? It is certainly a Kiasma to even write about Architecture for an Architect knows what he says is right but at the same time he is also aware no one wants to listen, for it has never been a choice between the right and the wrong, its all about likes and dislikes.
The way of expressing values architecture is very nice.
I agree that the architecture can unintentionally influence social life as well as promote social development. Which is why most developed countries have such a rich social atmosphere.
Tina