Architecture can be defined as the design and construction of buildings and structures. Additionally, it may be seen as a language, art form, collaborative process or even reflection of culture.
Great architecture unites various elements to form beautiful and functional spaces that evoke emotions that cannot be expressed verbally; this makes these designs memorable and special.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a broad term encompassing philosophical reflections on beauty and pleasure. This subject encompasses traditional topics from art philosophy, aesthetics of everyday life and environmental aesthetics; while also including discussions around ethics, social political philosophy, as well as philosophical musings on psychology and behavioral sciences.
Attractive design dates back to ancient Greek times when Plato believed beauty stemmed from combining different elements to achieve balance, proportion, and harmony in art works. Modern fashion designers and pattern-makers frequently utilize similar principles when crafting clothing styles; such elements may include color, texture, line lengths, shape volumes.
Architecture may be used to convey various ideologies or notions, such as nationalism, liberation, freedom, cooperation or justice. A government-commissioned building might promote one particular political view while its architect may cede design control at some point to further this goal.
One key question in architecture firm philosophy is defining and classifying works as “art.” Some philosophers hold that only works of art qualify, while others see artifice in architecture as well. Additional issues revolve around how we assess an object’s aesthetic properties or judge its judgment, with some asserting experience should play the deciding role while others believe cognition should also play an integral part.
Structural Longevity
Architectural durability depends on a number of factors. These include material design and its rate of deterioration, construction methods used, climate, usage type and use type (for instance a warehouse that contains industrial materials or uses harsh chemicals will require more frequent and extensive maintenance than retail store).
Functional life span of buildings depends on their functionality and ability to adapt with society and lifestyle changes, including asbestos or seismic resistance regulations. Building design should consider community needs as well as legal responsibilities imposed by legal regulations like those concerning asbestos removal or seismic resistance regulations when planning their design.
Though there is an increasingly disparate gap between culture and architecture, proposals are emerging that acknowledge the needs of elderly people in socialising in ways more suitable to their dignity, making life enjoyable. This also creates opportunities for architects and developers to design quality buildings with long lifespans to meet these requirements and contribute to building societies able to deal with increased longevity.
Energy Efficiency
Architecture plays an integral role in energy costs and environmental impact of buildings. Through strategies to promote efficiency, architects can reduce energy consumption and operational expenses associated with running their structures more efficiently – something which has become particularly significant given climate change and rising energy prices around the globe.
architects can improve new and existing buildings’ energy efficiency using passive design techniques and energy-saving systems, including insulation, window placement and air conditioning use. Their goal should be to minimize energy use without increasing operating costs.
architects can also increase energy efficiency in buildings through alternative energy sources like solar panels. Solar power can power lighting and heating needs within buildings, eliminating wasteful traditional power sources while simultaneously cutting costs and decreasing consumption.
Architecture plays an integral part in global economies and societies, from energy efficiency to comfort to productivity and business expansion. Combining artistic with technical skill, architecture provides the framework for human existence both naturally and built environments – its goal being creating functional structures which meet people’s needs without degrading the natural surroundings or being visually appealing; its name itself comes from Greek term arkhidekston (“chief builder”).
Sustainability
Architecture can enhance our lives in many ways – aesthetic, spiritual, material, psychological and more. It serves as an outlet for cultural expression while meeting human needs and fulfilling desires and dreams. Furthermore, architecture connects art, science and engineering.
Buildings and structures can be designed to minimize their environmental impact and increase energy efficiency, thus lessening their effect on the world. Sustainable buildings employ climate-responsive design techniques like passive solar design, water conservation strategies, regenerative technologies, materials with low embodied carbon content and more control over energy use for increased wellbeing of their occupants.
At architects must have knowledge and practices surrounding sustainability to implement them in their work. Involvement with sustainable construction projects at early RIBA design stages is recommended to ensure sustainability issues are considered and integrated into overall plans, while using the BREEAM certification system which measures sustainability achievements can also provide useful data points.
One of the primary objectives of sustainable architecture is reducing dependence on fossil fuels while encouraging use of renewable energy sources, such as natural gas which emits between 0.6 to 2lbs of CO2 per kilowatt hour, while renewable sources produce only 0.07 to 0.04lbs per kWh.
