Architecture: A Means to Improve People's Quality of Life

Introduction 

“Architecture is about finding imaginative, creative solutions to improving people’s quality of life.” - Alejandro Aravena

Architecture was born approach back in the prehistoric age, once the first man determined to come back up with shelters made up of twigs and bones. architecture isn't always regarding fancily large museums or towers that reach out-of-the-question heights, its far more in-depth than that. It plays a serious role in everyone’s day-to-day life by choice or accidentally. It’s the backbone for the germination of culture. Thanks to it being passed from generation to generation, architecture nowadays is adopted as a craft. A craft that conveys the timeline of the evolution of man and his traditions. The ancient temples and palaces we tend to see nowadays are all reflections of past glories.

Architecture throughout the ages was related to stunning buildings of grand proportions, intelligently planned, rich in material, often delicate in style, and profound in ornamentation. once you think about cultural parts in ancient structures, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, and plenty of a lot of are certain to cross your mind. however, of these masterpieces are the best of the best which is why they're talked regarding until this very day. Of course, there are various ancient buildings that portray intelligence and meticulous strategy. However, is each ancient building ever designed given equal acknowledgment and appreciation? undoubtedly no. Then why is that only a few specific structures have attained a monumental quantity of glorification? This curiosity led several architects of the later years to mimic and experiment the features of ancient architecture within the name of culture. This pattern caused repetition disguised as tradition.

Many of us and particularly the artists deplore the value of money and the economic differences created by it, but we do not find that all prosperous countries with their balanced economies are contributing on the cultural side which other countries have taken centuries to do. It is almost a law of history that the same wealth that generates a civilization announces its decay. For wealth produces ease as well as art, and it softens people to the ways of luxury and invites invasion from stronger arms and hungrier mouths. It is a popular but wrong notion prevail¬ing amongst us that modern painting, sculpture and architecture have little cultural value. Culture and civilization have no color bar, we find them in nearly equal degrees amongst people of all nations. It is a wrong assumption that a great race makes civilization. It is the great civilization that makes the people.

Present time

Today’s design not only features but relies on culture. it's true that cultural factors are considered for construction to pass on the tradition. aside from spiritual beliefs, there are various reasons why ancient ways are being adopted in today’s architecture. Physical and historical conditions conjointly generate civilization and these traits of civilization stay with man for a protracted amount of time even when conditions have drastically modified. This requires a pattern shift within the adopted methodology. A quandary if culture ought to be maintained or new techniques ought to be approached therefore arises.

In the method of implementing new ways, a creator unconsciously falls within the trap of appropriation. This happens in an exceedingly subtle manner because the ancient design is so complicated and precise that even a minor feature holds a large deal of effort and historical backstories. In present days, investing a hefty quantity of time, wealth and labor isn't nearly not possible however simply not sensible. Also, we tend to lack the resources and talent that were prevalent within the yesteryears. No sort of imitation will much reach to the grandeur of the ancient architecture. Acceptance of this situation led for individuals to adopt fashionable and straightforward going ways that to approach architecture. On doing so the cultural values and art forms suffered to a great extent. Slowly architecture transfigured its image from a liberating art form to a strict profession. This cannot be blamed exclusively on the architects however on the common folks too.

Architecture needs a creative approach however it's nowhere close to individualistic art expression. There used to be a time when artists were architects, and architects were artists. Michelangelo was a painter, sculptor, and architect, as was Giorgio Vasari, who conjointly wrote biographies of his contemporaries. Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini designed palaces, churches, fountains, and piazzas in 17th-century Rome whereas achieving prominence as a sculptor.

In present times, with rapidly increasing specialization, the disciplines of art and architecture have parted ways. Architects design buildings for clients to satisfy their wants with a brief in mind, whereas artists give free rein to their ideas and express them individually. However, there remains among several architects a remnant attachment to the thought of being a creative person, or at least to the idea of architecture as an inventive and artistic discipline.

Perhaps no modern creator takes himself a lot of seriously as an artist than Frank Gehry, 79, who for years worked on non-public domestic commissions before inflicting a sensation along with his spectacular style for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Since then he has made an array of dazzling buildings, as well as the new Peter B. Lewis Library at Princeton, that opened in September.

The working methods of architects differ widely. The human brain is constructed in such a way, that it can simultaneously put forward solutions to problems and evaluate these solutions. The creative architectural work is of such a comp¬licated nature that in order to develop satis¬factory results an enormous amount of drawings and models is necessary. A greater part of this work may seem wasted. In the process of purifying and intertwining the many different parts and functions of a building you usually work with so many alternatives (in order to find the right one) that as much as 90 % of their work might be thrown away.

Instead of complaining of this waste, you can compare it to the wasteful abundance in nature. Of all persons involved in the building process, the architect is the only one whose aim is to create the most ideal conditions for the human beings out of the program and the means given to him. The other participants each has a different niche: the engineers seek to achieve the ideal performance from equipment and stab¬ility from structure, the contractors get the building up and are responsible for the actual construction, and the financiers and the lawyers are in control of the economic aspect and the client provides the program with the basic re¬quirements. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, architecture has played a significant role in the evolution of human culture, reflecting the past glories and traditions of societies. The grandeur of ancient architecture continues to inspire architects today, and cultural factors are often considered when constructing modern buildings. However, the implementation of new techniques can lead to the trap of appropriation and repetition, and the lack of resources and skills compared to yesteryears can hinder the ability to replicate the grandeur of ancient architecture. Furthermore, the disciplines of art and architecture have parted ways in modern times, and the working methods of architects differ widely. While architects design buildings for clients to satisfy their needs, there is still a remnant attachment to the idea of architecture as an artistic and creative discipline. Architecture continues to evolve, and it will be exciting to see what new approaches and innovations will shape the buildings of the future.