Role of Architecture
Role of Architecture
“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness” – Frank Gehry
In the same way,the art that we create, music, dance, literature, designs, buildings, anything, is
what makes our mankind immortal. One more form of art,in fact the mother of all arts , is
architecture . Architecture reflects how we present ourselves across the earth’s landscape, and
other expressive mediums.
Architecture done hundreds of years ago still give us knowledge, inspiration and makes us
familiar with the culture of that time. It is by observing the ancient buildings that we come to
know about their lifestyles, habits, resources, availability of technology, etc..
Architecture in ancient times didn’t start as a course in a college but, as a need. The need for a
shelter forced our ancestors to think and arrange means of some kind. The very first shelter
made by any early human highlights the fact that we are capable of doing things that haven’t
donebefore. Being on different geographical areas spreadthroughout theglobe, they made
houses, recreational buildings,etc that became the identity of their homeland.
A rectangular pyramid being held up by some pillars situated on a plinth reminds us of the
roman architecture while a wall having a large window of stained glass and elliptical arch
reminds us of gothic architecture.
Hence, it could be rightly said that who we are isrepresented by our culture, our heritage. Being
proud and aware of our heritage is a luxury that we have gotten due to the hard work and ideas
of the generations before us.
But, the job doesn’t endhere. All of this rich heritage in the form of varied architecture makes
us bound to our upcoming generations and mother earth. The earth and the heritage that we
have inheritedneeds to be made better and richer to give something to our children to be
proud of! We owe them this.
As mentioned earlier, that our heritage is our identity, every place or country has their own
type of architecture. It’s been based on the available resources, manpower, techniques,
climate. In former times, there were limited resources and limited ways of transportation.
That’s why people relied more on the locally available materials andinvented their own
techniques. It’s what made their architecture distinct and thus, still represents their era today.
On the other hand, the scenario has changed presently. With availability of easy ways
oftransportation, there is no limitation to the choice of material. Mass communication has
helped a lot in adopting new techniques. We have modernized machines and huge availability
of manpower.
But,all of these new age techniques have taken a toll on the architecture of ourarea, our
identity! The urge of being different and new is taking us away from ourculture. If we
comparethe older and new age architecture, we can easily see a change of materials,colours,
and style with changing borders, but even after travelling todifferent corners of the world, we
won’t find much change in the appearance of the buildings. We lay defeated here!
Nowadays, concrete has become a universal material. Itsmany advantages and easy availability
has made its use extensive. As a result of which, the buildings across the world look the same.
As the young generation, we are to play major role in the development of our country and
being budding architects should make this easier in literal means. We need to be thankful to
our heritage, learn fromit and persevere to build our nation by means of such architecture
that’ll withhold our identity.
Nation building refers to a process of various constructions across the country including big
infrastructures like malls, colleges, schools, stadiums, power plants, etc. A big percentage of the
responsibility of building a nation definitely lies on the shoulders of architects. They design and
build such structures that enable man to walk right into his dream. Now, architecture and
environment are so co-dependent, that only an architect is not responsible for designing
buildings but also the environment.
Every department that involves any type of infrastructure requires an architect. Any kind of
infrastructure should serve basic needs for conducting some related activity . For example,
stadiums are used for sports events. They are commonly visited by foreign players and officials.
So they need to be great in aesthetics, function and structure. Similarly, various power plants
which are the power house of the country need to be efficient in their designs. Also special
emphasis should be laid on safety while designing . Future of any country depends on its
citizens . That’s why architectural projects work for the welfare and leisure of the citizens .
Hospitals and clinics are designed to provide good medicalfacilities. Malls, cinemas are designed
for recreation. Airports are one of the biggest constructions and investments. They are
designed to be efficient, aesthetic and welcoming. Schools and colleges are required to be kid-
friendly and peaceful at the same time so that children are motivated for studying. Many more
other infrastructures like these help in the working of nation and its development.
Being an upcoming architect, not only we have to fulfil our role of developing the nation but
also consider and protect mother earth. With the changing and developing worldand increasing
population, the need for building a greener environment is increasing rapidly. Over thetimes,
the construction of recreational establishments is being done extensively like
malls,cinemas,stadiums, indoor play arenas, etc.. Along with these buildings,projects for
constructing big housing societies,apartments are being taken up at faster rates. With
increasing constructions, more and more land is been taken up and converted into built
structures. These lands which mainly consisted of green areas are now becoming 'concrete
parks'.
These activities have affecting us and our environment a lot and thiswill continue if nothing is
done for its betterment . Hence it becomes the duty of young and upcoming architects to
develop the nation along with taking care of nature .
It’s obvious that land is required for buildings but this problem can be controlled if we decide to
pay back with our buildings.
One such option is green buildings. A building being climate responsive, friendly with its
environment is called a green building. We should encourage designing of buildings that blend
with itsenvironment. That may be through its choice of material or construction techniques.
Some amount of land should be left uncovered in building to ensure absorbing of rain water
and some green area.
Emphasis should be laid on vertical development. Rather than building houses in a row beside
each other, they should be constructed on top of eachother. In this way, less land is covered
under concrete and more area is left for gardens or other open areas.
A big construction done without taking its environment intoaccount, robs wildlife off of their
habitat, kills the vegetation, affecting ecosystem of that area. Climate responsive buildings are
the need of the hour. As, when a building is climate responsive it benefits both, the user and
environment . In such buildings the placement of rooms , and division of area is in a way that
the use of artificial lights is reduced and use of air conditioners is also reduced. All this proves to
be economical for the owner and less harmful for environment. This shows thata building and
its environment are co-related.
This also ensures that the recourses of our mother earth are being used judicially which, as
upcoming generation and architects, is and should be a major concern for us . Recourses have
to be used in a way that we save them for our future ones. It’s been rightly said by Mahatma
Gandhi, “the earth provides enough to satisfy mans need but not for every man’s greed.”
Architects have got the power to shape the face of their nation.Thebudding architects hold the
role in building thenation. It’s our duty to make our nation a place whose infrastructures are
considered one of the best in the world, where the generation continues to conserve and be
proud of its heritage.