Where Will Architecture Lead?

Architecture is often seen as only an engineering science. Best of an art! Its full potential is often overlooked by everyone including architects themselves. From the beginning of mankind's evolution, shelter has been the most important consideration after food and water.

From Caves To Mud

Long ago man moved from living in caves to building its own structures. These primitive structures were often built from mud and adobe, which were kept warm by a series of animal skins and internal fires. This is the birth of architecture. From this time itself man has been making continuous improvements.

Each generation has added something more onto their buildings to suit new methods of cooking, heating, sanitation, lighting, and almost any other commodity imaginable. A lot of architecture has been trial and error until we have reached a system that works.

Esthetics

Building styles and designs has survived through the ages, more to it because it also fulfills our needs and is safe. But this is not the only consideration when designing a building. Architecture is more than simple functionality. It can be expressive, emotional, and insightful. Look at some of the most notable structures of history: The Eiffel tower, Taj Mahal, even the Great Wall. All were constructed by great architects and have great design. Each has a different esthetic appeal and no one can deny their beauty.

Psychological Effect

The buildings we live and work in have a huge impact on our mental health. Research has shown that people respond to light and open-plan buildings, with bright clean colors. This spells doom for the concrete era of the 70s and 80s. Architecture is constantly evolving with us and as our taste and knowledge grows so does it.

Climate Change

One of the biggest pressures on architecture at the moment is climate change. Whether you believe it or not, the impact of the debate means that our expectation from buildings is higher. We want buildings that have such looks which attracts huge number of tourists. There is a need of such buildings that leave an imprint on people’s minds. This is an aspect that has never been considered before the architects and it is them who have lead to some radical designs.

Possible Futures

The future of architecture may be as mundane as a new material to build the same design houses. Or it may reach into the realms of science fiction. No idea is out of reach. All that is required is a need or a demand for such buildings. Architects can dream up cities, which float on water and is powered by waves or wind... Perhaps they are submerged!

The future may see more people living as nomads. We may need buildings that can be dismantled and carried easily. Anything is possible and that is what makes the science and art of architecture so exciting.

Reach For The Moon

A common expression but for architects it may be a reality. Plans are underway to establish a colony on the moon within this century. Architects will have to deal with a whole new set of requirements and problems. There is no part of our lives not affected by architecture, and it is likely there never will be.