The Cambridge Dictionary defines a building as ‘a structure with walls and a roof’. Architecture is what takes a building beyond this uncomplicated purpose, beyond a simple structure to defend against the elements, and turns it into something meaningful, from unique residential homes to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities. Once that building starts to reflect artistic qualities or evoke an emotional reaction, such as comfort or awe, it is architecture with purpose.
In this article, we’re going to delve into architecture at its heart: what it is, its core principles, and why it matters.
A simple yet succinct definition of architecture would be: the art and science of planning and designing buildings and other physical structures.
People often think that architecture is about the aesthetics of a building alone, but there is much more to it than a structure’s physical appearance. Architecture is about form, but it’s also about functionality, safety, sustainability, unity, and storytelling. It incorporates not just design, but the processes of planning and construction too. Good architecture gives a simple building purpose.
Architecture shapes how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. It doesn’t just house people; it influences how we feel, behave, and connect with each other. This is why good, thoughtful architecture is so essential to humanity as a whole, from entire countries to a single person’s lived experience.
Architecture ranges from the design of sustainable homes to highly efficient office units, following core principles to create something harmonious between the structure and the people who use it. These principles can differ, lengthen, or shorten from architect to architect depending on their own philosophies, but many are rooted in the following themes.
The most important aspect of true architecture is designing a building that functions as intended. Functionality must be put ahead of aesthetics – when designing a school, space for classrooms must be prioritised over getting inventive with decorative elements. If the structure does not work for the people using it, inhabiting it, or moving through it, then it has failed in its main purpose, regardless of how good it looks.
Context is an incredibly key aspect of architecture. Successful architecture is thoughtful, considerate, and intentional. Architects will take into account the climate of the area, the culture and community, and the surrounding buildings, but what does this mean for the design and the build?
First, good architecture needs to respect the cultural values and traditions of the community it’s built within. If an architect is designing a public building in an area with diverse groups, they would need to consider the needs of the different people who will use that building. This could be accessibility, restrooms, or any other addition or adaptation, depending on the structure’s purpose. Building design should be welcoming to the existing community and social context it’s being added to.
Second, it means adapting to the surrounding aesthetics, landscape and climate. This is done through choosing materials, features, and other design elements that ensure harmony with the area, its buildings, and its weather, while providing the necessary comfort.
An example would be designing and building a structure in an area of heavy rainfall or flooding: by incorporating sloped roofs, raised foundations, and other adaptations, an architect creates a building that works with the climate. The design and materials, while doing their job to preserve the building against the elements, must also fit in harmoniously with nearby buildings and landscape, so that the structure either blends in or works well in contrast.
Third, successful architecture is accessible and inclusive. The users of the structure must be considered, including their ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The design should respect this diversity and accommodate the users in a way that comforts and welcomes them, as well as functioning as intended.
Visual harmony, though perhaps not always registered by passersby, is incredibly important in architecture. A balanced design helps to create a sense of stability and is done through either symmetry or asymmetry. Whether mirroring the design in perfect symmetry or balancing the weight through elements that are not mirrored, well-balanced architecture should offer a feeling of equilibrium and order.
Architecture uses scale and proportion together with balance to create coherence in a design. Proportion concerns the structure’s shapes and sizes of elements and how they work together for visual harmony, whereas scale considers the size of the elements in relation to humans and/or the whole structure in general. To create a space that feels naturally comfortable to its users, scale and proportion must be applied thoughtfully in planning and design.
With the use of colour, texture, and light, architects will design structures that are visually appealing while still in unity. Too much variety, or using the wrong elements together, will create chaos that can be felt by the building’s users. Too little variety and the architect is left with an uninteresting and monotonous design. Finding the perfect harmonious blend of variety, balance, scale and proportion will result in an engaging, cohesive narrative for the structure. This is successful architecture.
In architecture, it’s important to focus on how spaces are experienced, arranged, and adapted. Architects will pay attention to how the structure flows and how it allows movement through and around it, ensuring intuitive navigation for users through the design and placement of corridors, stairs, and other elements. Hierarchy also plays an important role in creating that sought-after unity a structure needs. It helps to establish importance within the structure, such as a staircase more grand than others, indicating it should be viewed and used as a central feature.
Flexibility is essential to good architecture, especially today with the constantly changing requirements of people, lifestyles, and society. Spaces must be able to evolve and adapt alongside us, which can be achieved through modular design and thoughtful layouts. Successful architecture today looks like a structure that can be used long-term.
Architects may not lay the bricks, but they ensure the materials and construction techniques used are all part of the architectural design. The cost, the appearance, and the durability of both materials and the build itself have to be taken into consideration as part of the planning process – this is part of an architect’s role.
Materials chosen must support the weight of the structure to ensure stability, safety, and longevity. Strength is not the only element that will be taken into account to ensure this – architects also look at the climate, the location, and more to ensure the materials stand up to the task of maintaining the building.
Good architecture will be made of materials that visually align with either the design or the surrounding environment. These could be different if the structure has been designed to stand out and contrast for a specific purpose or desire. Functionally, materials and construction processes will be considered for their energy efficiency, accessibility, and fire safety, especially when concerning structures in or designed for public spaces.
Finally, the cost plays a part in architectural planning and decision-making. There will more than likely be a budget to stick to, so suiting materials and construction efforts to fit both the design and the budget fall into the role of an architect.
On one level, architecture matters because without it, structures would lack what we need, such as safety, functionality, and purpose. On another level, it matters because it is a language that speaks of community, culture, and personality. Many of the most beautiful cities in the world are thought of as such due to their architecture; good architecture can invoke a sense of comfort, awe, welcome, passion, motivation, peace, and ‘home’. It brings people together and gives them spaces that meet their complex needs, all while protecting us.
Here at Wincer Kievenaar, we are client-first designers. We are innovative and strategic thinkers, often hearing words unspoken by our clients and designing spaces they didn’t realise were exactly what they needed but couldn’t describe. We are inventors and thinkers, designing structures to meet complex needs across multiple industries in East Anglia, from innovative structures in the education sector to thoughtfully revitalising and extending listed buildings. If you’d like to discover more of what we can do for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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