Architecture is the profession of designing buildings, open spaces, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, typically concerning their aesthetic effect.
Architecture often includes planning, designing, or selecting furnishings and decorations, supervising construction work, and examining, restoring, or remodelling existing buildings.
Furthermore, Architecture is about creating buildings and spaces that inspire us, help us do our jobs, bring us together, and become, at their best, works of art that we can move through and live in. And in the end, that is why architecture can be considered the most democratic of art forms.
As a student and practitioner of architecture, it is essential to develop your understanding and philosophies about what architecture means to you, both as a designer and an inhabitant of architecture.
ALSO READ: What is an Architect?
Table of Contents
Types of Architecture
Below is a list of branches of architecture for you to consider:
1. Landscape Architect
Designing outdoor landscapes, encompassing infrastructure, public areas, agriculture, and forestry, is crucial for creating the connections that unite our urban and rural spaces.
It is also, and perhaps more importantly, essential for responding to globalisation and climate change. Landscape architects are involved in stormwater management, environmental restoration, and the design of recreational areas, among other responsibilities. If you enjoy working with and in the natural environment, this could be the path for you.
2. Urban Planner
As a result of a rapidly growing percentage of our population moving into urban areas, the conditions of urbanism are constantly in a state of flux.
The dynamic state of the urban environment presents an exciting path for architects to explore, encompassing everything from economic and demographic shifts to sustainable development.
It’s an essential responsibility within our profession, but a challenging one; it requires adaptability and problem-solving on a large scale.
3. Restoration Architect
Our society’s heritage and history, as presented through architecture, are not only beautiful glimpses into the past but also crucial to understanding our culture as a discipline.
Conservation and restoration of buildings is undeniably a challenge; it is never possible to please everyone. The media often targets the act of restoration as a “heritage massacre,” despite the usually excellent solutions.
4. Research Architect
With the current wave of digital design and the constant advancement of digital tools, our methods of representation and expression are undergoing dramatic changes. Information technology has had a profound impact on architecture that is far from over.
These constant improvements are in part made possible by the exciting research being conducted by architects, not necessarily involving the design of buildings, but focusing more on how these new tools can enhance our work.
5. Lighting Architect
Light has a profound impact on our mental and physical health, as anyone living at high latitudes can empathise with it. Delving into the architecture of lighting entails enhancing the quality of our experiences, improving our health and well-being, and promoting the sustainability of not only the natural environment but also smaller spaces, such as our work environments.
6. Extreme Architect
With the current development of climate change, extreme weather conditions such as floods, heatwaves, and hurricanes are predicted to intensify.
Existing extreme environments, such as deserts, are likely to expand due to phenomena such as desertification. Being an architect who specialises in extreme weather conditions is, therefore, not only an incredibly fascinating way to tackle the subject, but also invaluable for us to adapt to the future of our planet.
What is architectural design?
Architectural design is a discipline that focuses on meeting the needs and demands of its clients, creating living spaces, utilising specific tools, and, above all, employing creativity.
Therefore, the aim is to combine the technological and the aesthetic, despite the general belief that architecture is only a technological task.
Similarly, it combines design, understood as the creative process, with architecture, which focuses on the creation and presentation of solutions at a technical level.
By combining both disciplines, the architectural design seeks to capture the values and formal qualities of the works through spatial experiences.
In general, we associate it with drawings, sketches, or outlines of a project, and it is one of its fundamental bases. In this aspect of architectural design, other factors, including geometry, space, and aesthetics, among others, are also involved.
After all, architecture, and therefore architectural design, is made up of many elements and processes or phases.
When designing, an architect must analyse to ensure that the design and construction are tailored to the needs and resources, while always considering the aesthetics and technical characteristics, as well as the fundamental principles of construction.
That is why the process, capable of identifying all these variables, must consider that it is necessary to reflect the needs, both artistically and technically, on the paper (or software).
In this case, the lines are the central element of the architectural design, which defines several aspects such as the shape, dimension, and positioning of the different spaces, integrating the project.
Techniques in Architecture
These are elements or principles that can be used to design buildings and other structures. They are independent of style and represent a toolkit for architects to develop unique designs.
Therefore, Architectural Techniques are all about architectural representation—the exploration of drawing, modelling, and digital applications in the design process.
Introducing software as a design tool, the course is designed to help students develop the two- and three-dimensional information necessary for producing architectural renderings and fabrications.
Focusing on the relationship between architecture and contemporary production technologies, the course also provides an opportunity to learn about the history of architectural representation and basic techniques, creating a general background from which to operate.
At the conclusion of the course, students are expected to be able to engage with the required software for architectural design exploration and communication, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Autodesk AutoCAD, Rhino, 3DS Max, and Revit.
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Architecture as an art
Architecture is the art and method of building and designing structures that incorporate artistic elements, rather than relying solely on construction abilities.
The practice of architectural design is used to meet both functional and artistic needs, therefore serving both practical and creative goals.
By this definition, architecture does not fit into the category of fine art because it serves a valuable purpose. However, not all structures are architecturally designed; therefore, choosing an architect is to prioritise aesthetics over pure function.
TO BE CONTINUED……
We hope this article has helped you learn about the various aspects of architecture. You may also want to see the Difference Between Architect and Civil Engineer, Reinforced Cement Concrete, Best Engineering Universities in India | Top courses, and What is Civil Engineering? | History and Functions.
