As Frank Lloyd Wright has said, “the mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.” Architecture matters beyond providing shelter, beyond fulfilling one needs and being functional. An architectural space is a significant tool which influences individuals’ behaviour mentally and spiritually through the experiences it provides. Architecture begins to shape one’s state of mind before the individual enters the space; however, entering the space evokes greater emotions, and observing the plan of an architectural space permits more understanding of the building.
One begins to sense the architectural space before he or she even takes the first step into it; regardless if he or she is paying
…show more content…
As Johnson (1965) claims, “approach is only one aspect of processional, one moment of feeling. The next is the experience of entering, the shock of big space, or dark space, as it encloses (in time always) the visitor” (p. 168). One can understand from this that moving towards and through a building is all significant as it adds to the experience. As Goldberger (2009) restates this, “the nature and feel of the space within a building can mean as much as anything else about the building, and sometimes more” (p. 110). The purpose of an architectural spaces’ main function is only truly understood, once a person experiences it. One does not necessarily have to be an architect to understand architecture and connect with it, they are still able to “take pleasure in clarity and the rhythm of the buildings constructed” (Goldberger, 2009). Taking a walk inside York University’s Student Centre, one can feel the liveliness of the place, as it is used by many people for different purposes, such as group work, completing work individually, hanging out with friends, having lunch. As a person who visits this place on a regular basis, one tends to disregard the feeling that this place evokes, however, as a person who visits this place for the first time, is able to feel like a warm and welcomed. Also, the sky light in the centre of the building, which invites natural light, and the higher than average ceilings makes the space feel more open, which allow people to feel comfortable and not crowded despite the large number of people in the space. In addition to this, the exterior of this building does not incite a lot of feelings, as the interior does, for there is not a lot of activity on the outside. To conclude, one must enter and move through the space in order to truly comprehend and experience the
...hey have entered the house, and then keeps it as you pass through the disappearing walls, pivoting doors, retractable stairs, and floating floors. It incorporates architecture, interior architecture and furniture design to create a total design that can be modified for different occupants. It truly is functional space.
Can buildings have memories? Buildings inhabit occupants and from that perspective, you could make the speculation that we as human beings have moments that we hold onto, memories. Nevertheless, if we have those moments inside of a building, t...
Over the last four years of studying architecture, I have seen the power that it has to shape communities, shape lives, and to create new ways that people interact with each other. The way architecture can help enhance living and allow for creation of new interactions of people is one of the reasons I find the subject so interesting. The way architecture can shape a whole culture and the way that the culture then in turn shapes the architecture is fascinating to me. Architecture is also not a static subject, it is constantly evolving and adapting with time to take on new forms, create new spaces, and to provide commentary on the history of our time on Earth. The depth that architecture has, and the evolution of the subject is something I have fallen in love with through my study of it. However, when I first started out studying architecture, I had no idea of the depth that the subject had, and it was an incredibly daunting realization; however, it was as equally exciting. I have always had a love for learning and architecture has just fueled that fire. Even after completing my bachelors degree, the learning has not stopped. I get to learn something new about architecture daily, and getting to say that is an opportunity I am thankful to have. It is not just about the learning however, its
Architecture, the practice of building design and its resulting products, customary usage refers only to those designs and structures that are culturally significant. Today the architecture must satisfy its intended uses, must be technically sound, and must convey beautiful meaning. But the best buildings are often so well constructed that they outlast their original use. They then survive not only as beautiful objects, but as documents of history of cultures, achievements in architecture that testify to the nature of the society that produced them. These achievements are never wholly the work of individuals. Architecture is a social art, yet Frank Lloyd Wright single handily changed the history of architecture. How did Frank Lloyd Wright change architecture?
...mselves into the buildings to really experience the space, material, lighting and colors, and then cerebrate laboriously and practice repeatedly to find the answer.
Frank Lloyd Wright has been called “one of the greatest American architect as well as an Art dealer that produced a numerous buildings, including houses, resorts, gardens, office buildings, churches, banks and museums. Wright was the first architect that pursues a philosophy of truly organic architecture that responds to the symphonies and harmonies in human habitats to their natural world. He was the apprentice of “father of Modernism” Louis Sullivan, and he was also one of the most influential architects on 20th century in America, Wright is idealist with the use of elemental theme and nature materials (stone, wood, and water), the use of sky and prairie, as well as the use of geometrical lines in his buildings planning. He also defined a building as ‘being appropriate to place’ if it is in harmony with its natural environment, with the landscape (Larkin and Brooks, 1993).
definition is not only an implication of its chronological order in architectural history, but the
The author explains architecture as an identification of place. Architecture starts with establishing a place. We define ‘place’ as a layout of architectural elements that seem to accommodate, or offer the possibility of accommodation to, a person, an activity, a mood, etc. We identify a sofa as a place to sit and relax, and a kitchen as a place to cook food. Architecture is about identifying and organizing ‘places’ for human use.
Remarkably, unlike in the description of art or music, the notion of atmosphere remains largely unaddressed in architecture. Atmosphere, can be argued, is the very initial and immediate experience of space and can be understood as a notion that addresses architectural quality, but the discussion of atmosphere in architecture will always entail, by definition, a certain ambiguity. After all, atmosphere is something personal, vague, ephemeral and difficult to capture in text or design, impossible to define or analyse. Atmosphere, Mark Wigley says, “evades analysis, it’s not easily defined, constructed or controlled”.
“Our experiences aren’t just conditioned by the physical nature, but the condition of others’ experience of the space happening at the same time” (Monteyne). Nearly every decision we have had to make in our lives have been influenced by a shared experience. Where do these shared experiences happen though? Many occur in pieces of the built environment specifically designed for people to relate and share their ideas. In his November tenth lecture, Steven Teeple explains that shared experience is a key concept in modern architecture and explains in order to successfully implement this we must consider three things: materials and concepts utilized in the designed of space, the integration of landscape as a primary feature assisting in flow, and how we approach connecting the public realm to a particular piece/pieces. If all three of these are utilized the public will naturally let their experiences mesh with the experiences of another.
Historically, ideology and worship practices have always been a central inspiration for architectural design. Architecture is the process and product of planning, designing and construction. It is also the dynamics between needs and means. Whether it is size, shape, or structure, each one has a purpose in relation to the practices that will happen inside. As religion impacts its followers, it indirectly impacts each aspect of its followers’ life, including architecture. Therefore, the structures they erect reflect their spiritual practices and beliefs.
Our experiences in a space, shape the way we perceive architecture – the space, structure, surfaces, memory and experiences all play a role in what we may distinguish as spirit of place. The effect this has on us is what shapes our identity, which in turn will be reflected in the architecture. The same qualities can be found in objects, which may have emotional meaning; a catalyst for triggering memories that are significant to us, which differs from the unemotional account of a descendant, to which it is nothing more than a historical narrative, because they were not participant in the past experience, therefore has no connection emotionally. As time moves forward, memories become history; an unemotional, factual account of the past. Nevertheless, history can still have an impact on the way we perceive and use architecture. Uncovering historical artifacts during a renovation, or a visitor with an emotional account of a space, can redefine one’s emotional connection toward a space, expanding both the narrative of the building, enriching our personal experience and creating a sense of connection and “home. As society endures changes, our social values and experiences change with these times. Changing social values in Australia were reflected in the post war period, with economic prosperity spawning the suburban lifestyle, with new modern, forward looking architectural designs gaining popularity – A way to forget the past and focus on the progression of a new wealth. Identity is memory; it is the narrative of who we are. The story of Yallourn shows the damage that can be done when identity is removed from a community. Identity is memory. We use architecture to record our existence, our culture, our heritage. It is the tangible account of who we are, and who we were. To have this taken away from us effectively obliterates our existence – to burn the
Phenomenology aids the integration of sensory perception as a function of a built form, because it provides experience for its users. Every architectural intervention is constructed using physical materials, but it can create experiences that are beyond the tangible world. To do this, I selected three examples of steven holl’s works, he puts forward the tactility of design in practicing architecture. He aimed at connecting the intellect with senses, idea with phenomena and body with environment. For Holl, the experiential potential of architecture provides the discipline to establish such a connection; the connecting dimension of architecture is because of the phenomenal properties of a built form.
Perceiving buildings is a complex process since it not only involves sensations such as seeing but also perception. Experience with other past buildings is also important. We store and recall our sensory experiences when it comes to architecture and buildings through evaluation, decision making, emotions and affect, as well as interaction and movement.
It is something that is being felt before it is understood. He continues by suggesting that architecture, design and layout of the place draws attention. And seduction is a mode of power here that works through curiosity. Yet the degree of this drawing in is also controlled and different in various spaces (Allen, 2006).