Introduction
Architecture is both a science and an art, used to connect structures with people they are meant to serve in specific locations. Architects use their own creativity to bring structures to life, which impact differently on people living in environments where they are situated. In essence, a structure needs to meet the long-term operational needs of its users, to give them a favourable environment to engage in different activities.
Various architectural movements have made their mark on architectural designs and they have influenced the way people view the role of architecture in their lives. These movements have made an impact on the way architects conceive their ideas in relation to structures they design in different locations. Some architects are more focused on giving structures they create unique identities, to make them stand out in different locations they are situated. Modernist architectural designers have argued that form follows function. They have taken the view that function needs to be a primary consideration in architecture to influence the way a structure performs different functions (Kruft 1994, p. 65).
Function and form are not mutually exclusive considerations in design. Conditions in a location a structure is going to be situated influence the modes of design used to create it. Kruft (1994, p. 89) reveals that architects conjure several meanings out of their designs, which go beyond the physical interpretations of structures they create. Architects balance various elements to influence the way structures are visualized in locations they are situated.
The scientific dimension of architecture seeks to streamline the utility needs of a structure with expectations of users and other parties who are affected by its construction. Function is a major consideration by architects because it makes them utilize their expertise to create structures with the required levels of stability.
The role of architects in design and construction has been given a lot of attention by modern theorists. They have argued that architecture goes beyond the functional design of a structure; an effective design needs to go beyond the arrangement of different elements in a structure. Oscar Niemeyer argued that structures need to satisfy the functional purposes they were created for first, before they express their aesthetic qualities (Niemeyer 2007, p. 78).
He was a modernist architect who argued that architects bring structures to life by materials they use, to give them the intended level of functionality. Niemeyer was influenced by the need to create architecture that serves all people irrespective of their social status. His influence is evident in the government buildings of Brasilia, Brazil’s capital. His structural designs were a mix of spirals and curves, using reinforced concrete as their main material. His work was futuristic because the structures constructed seemed to defy gravity.
It is necessary for architectural designs to maintain unity and balance between different elements, incorporated into the final concept of a structure. Effective architectural designs are simple yet they satisfy complex technical parameters, which determine the way structures function in different locations they are situated. Modernist architects have argued that simple designs need to use local materials and techniques to create structures that satisfy purposes they have been created for.
This makes such structures relevant to expectations of people in areas they are located. Such structures are aesthetically appealing and radiate different values, which architects intend to convey (Niemeyer 2007, p. 82). Modernist architects have argued that structural dynamics need to spur architects to create structures that are not limited by logical functions, to make an impact in locations they are constructed. They need to focus on the feasibility of their designs and how they impact on usage patterns of a particular structure.
Architectural design needs to be a product of logic merged with other ideas to create a structure that is able to satisfy, purposes it was created for, in the location it is situated. Feasibility, sustainability and maintenance are primary considerations that need to influence the way architects perform their work. These ideas are closely related to civil engineering, because they determine the technical parameters that need to be considered before a building is constructed.
Architects have to imagine concepts that conform to functional requirements that need to be considered, before settling on a particular design. This makes them aware of the criteria they need to include in their structural designs to make them suitable for users’ needs in areas they will be situated. This enables them create structures that relate well with other factors within their natural environment. Therefore, beauty and design follow important architectural considerations that determine the way a structure will be used in a particular location (Huxtable 2008, p. 73).
Modern architects have used their own creative skills to come up with designs that defy conventional structural principles. They have used unique spatial arrangement techniques, to create designs that are aesthetically appealing. This has made them use modern approaches which conform to important technical parameters that influence the way such structures operate. Huxtable (2008, p. 81) notes that effective structural designs fulfill different technical requirements, which influence the final shape of a structure in a particular environment. The materials used in a building’s construction influence the shape it takes, which conforms to its initial structural design.
Therefore, the final shape expresses the purpose of a structure and gives it the aesthetic identity required to make it fit in a particular location. This makes it perform the purpose it was created for within that particular environment.
Modern architecture has focused on maintaining balance and unity in the final shapes of structures, created out of different architectural designs. Structures need to express their functions in locations they are created to make them suitable for purposes they were created for. Architects need crucial technical and scientific skills to enable them design structures that stand out in environments they are situated. Structures need to be connected with other surrounding objects in their natural environments to create continuity between different elements (Bauer, Mèosle & Schwarz 2010, p. 87). Connections between a structure and other objects in the surrounding environment influence its usage patterns.
This enables a structure satisfy unique expectations of users within the environment it is situated. A structure needs to have balance with other objects in the area it is situated, to make it more appropriate to users there. This enables an architect to create a structure that does not conflict with other objects in the location it is situated.
Architecture needs to satisfy both practical and aesthetic needs of users of a particular structure. A good architectural design needs to accommodate potential future needs, which may require a structure to be expanded or modified. An effective design needs to allow structural modifications to be carried out without threatening a building’s stability. Architects need to estimate the life cycle of a structure by evaluating the strength of materials used in construction and their level of durability.
The exterior design should serve the aesthetic purpose of a structure by conveying meanings which are related to its outlook. Bauer, Mèosle and Schwarz ( 2010, p. 92) state that a structure’s exterior should take into account other aspects of the surrounding environment, which make it suitable for users’ needs. Fences, parking spaces and plants need to fit in with the landscape design chosen for a structure. This helps to improve the atmosphere in and around the structure.
Significance of Form
Form follows function. This argument was advanced by Adolf Loos and other architects who made modernism in architecture become a reality. These architects took the position that ornamentation is not a necessary aid to design and does not help a structure’s functional needs. Modernism influenced peoples’ attitudes towards architecture and allowed architects to take note of various elements, which contribute to the final design of a structure. Therefore, the artistic element of design that creates visual appeal in a structure is only important, if the design of a structure satisfies basic criteria that influence how it is used.
Louis Sullivan and other modernist architects integrated decorative aspects of design into their concepts, which resulted in structures that were visually appealing (McNeill 2009, p. 79). This allowed Sullivan and other architects to create structures in American cities that were guided by functional logic in their designs. They created structures which were socially acceptable because of the way they expressed different elements.
Form enables a structure express its purpose and meaning in relation to the surrounding natural environment. This relationship is symbolic because it enables an architect develop an aesthetically relevant structure. McNeill (2009, p. 83) reveals that form is mainly influenced by the artistic vision of an architect who conceptualizes a design able to meet the needs of its users. The work of an architect is interpreted by focusing on different dimensions which influence structural design. One aspect of a structure cannot be given more attention over other aspects because of the way they influence form and function. The social dimensions of architecture are balanced with physical elements, to create a structure that takes note of its origins, to reinforce its value in a particular area.
Ching (2007, p. 90) argues that form in architecture provides a connection between the appearance of structures and real life ideals, from which they derive their meaning. This makes structures convey different ideas, which are interpreted in the context of their relevance to people living within a particular society.
The form chosen for a structure should suit the nature of activities to be conducted there. A structure with a unique design stands out in its environment because of the way different elements are portrayed by its outlook. Its exterior makes it possible for people to understand the value it has within that location and the functions it serves to its users. Materials used to construct a structure convey a lot of meanings related to its functions. These materials convey different perceptions regarding a structure’s strength, durability and interior spatial design.
Architects design the exterior outlook in a way that stresses the significance of functions performed within a structure. For instance, the exterior walls of churches are designed in a way that shows it is a house of prayer. Most churches have high walls with a distinct cross at the entrance which explicitly shows activities done in there. This form is used to invite Christian worshipers to pray in the inner spaces of this structure to give them a tranquil holy environment.
This design is symbolic because it allows them to relate with their inner spiritual thoughts and experiences (Ching 2007, p. 103). Many churches are conspicuous in environments they are built because their outward appearance marks them out as distinct Christian places of worship. This outward appearance is related to the arrangement of different objects inside the church which improve a religious believer’s experience.
. A structure’s exterior and interior makes it easy to relate different aspects of function and form. This determines the architectural character created through design. Spatial continuity between rooms is achieved by joining vertical and horizontal aspects of a structure during construction. These ideas were advanced by the revolutionary works of Frank Lloyd Wright, whose structures had unique architectural attributes.
Wright used unique materials and colours to create structures that captured important elements of architectural aesthetics. His designs have a good relationship with surrounding environments because of the way they radiate different characteristics as captured by their exteriors. Architects need to understand the relationships between different elements of form to know the value they add to a building and its functions (Hendrix 2013, p. 67). This makes them understand the essence of the design conceptualized and how the final form of the structure fits in the natural environment of a particular area.
Architects need to relate different aspects of form with the spatial arrangement in a structure. Modernist architects have argued that architecture is a living form and creations of different architects need to be treated that way for them to have an impact. They argue that this helps to distinguish architectural forms constructed in different environments. In essence, the outward appearance of a structure expresses the purpose it was created for in a particular area.
Hendrix (2013, p. 79) states that form has an impact on symmetry, balance, unity, contrast and colour in a structure. These elements have an impact on the general aesthetics of a structure and they influence relationships between different objects in its inner and outer spaces. Many art museums use natural light to make objects on display look real and appealing. Most art museums have glass windows which filter ultra violet rays from the sun to ensure they do not damage works of art on display. These works of art have complex colour schemes which are easily distorted by powerful ultra violet rays.
Form influences other important aspects of structural function such as ventilation, energy usage, accessibility and spatial demarcations. Some buildings have openings which may look ornamental from outside but allow ventilation to occur in their inner spaces.
These openings make it possible for users of these buildings to get fresh air from outside without straining. The openings may be designed in a way that makes a structure aesthetically appealing to the eye but serve a bigger purpose of allowing natural ventilation to take place. Some buildings have roofs which are constructed with translucent materials to enable them pass sunlight used to make inner spaces more visible (Rendell Hill, Fraser & Dorrian 2007, p. 82). Therefore, such materials are used to give the roof of a building a glossy appearance, while making use of daylight to help conserve energy.
The design used to create the artistic form of a structure should not conflict with other elements of architectural design which are important to the way a structure functions. All elements in the architectural design should not conflict with each other to ensure a structure serves its purpose effectively. Rendell, Hill, Fraser and Dorrian (2007, p. 91) reveals that patterns used in designing inner spaces of a structure need to conform to the outer form of the structure.
This ensures that these spaces have distinct characteristics that allow users to carry out their functions properly. This pattern determines which inner spaces need to be exposed and those that need to be hidden. In many houses, the living room has a larger open space which is well lit and ventilated, compared to the toilets and kitchen. The design of these spaces has to conform to outer aesthetics to give users a better living experience.
Formalism in Architecture
The interest in form has increased because computer aided design programs make it possible for architects to come up with different art forms. Contemporary architectural art forms focus on drawing attention to their artistic outlook and rarely focus on other structural elements. Some of these structural designs are futuristic in nature because they incorporate changing trends and lifestyles into concepts of structures to be constructed.
Some architectural designs have focused more on form at the expense of other important aspects such as function, spatial design and structural solidity (Jones 2011, p. 47). This shift has been witnessed in many urban areas where meanings conveyed by unique structural designs have been given more attention than functions these structures are supposed to perform. Some structures have a lot of ornamental designs which make them stand out in the environment they have been constructed.
Statues and other sculptures are known more for their aesthetic beauty rather than their functional relevance. Some large sculptures in different places convey a variety of meanings to people who view them depending on their architectural designs. The dominance of form in design over other elements depends on the intentions of both the architect and the owner of the structure to be designed (Jones 2011, p. 72).
These two parties determine the shape which a structure takes and the meanings they want the final structure to convey. There are many architectural forms which are known more for their aesthetic outlook rather than their functional relevance in areas they exist. These forms relate to experiences of people living within that environment and do not effectively address the needs of users of these structures.
Gelenter (1995, p. 102) reveals that some architectural designs are works of art which display the status of their owners. These serve as symbols of opulence within environments they are situated to make them stand out. These architectural forms focus on attracting attention from different people in areas they are located, to make them appreciate their aesthetic value and design. These designs incorporate different elements to make their final appearance more unique; which strengthens their value as symbols of art. These elements give more emphasis to specific features which make such structures have a higher market value in locations they are constructed. Therefore, this gives them an edge over other structures nearby.
The increased interest in form has been motivated by changes in the real estate market. Some structures attract more tenants than others because of their locations and outward appearance. These structures have large symbolic value because they serve as landmarks in locations they are constructed. Such structures attract high tenancy rates because of their accessibility and unique architectural designs.
Their artistic value takes precedence over other qualities because materials used to design their exterior surfaces strengthen their visual appeal. These structures make it possible to identify various locations which strengthen their appeal to many travellers and tourists (Gelenter 1995, p. 115). Their unique designs make these locations favorable destinations of choice to many visitors. For instance, the London Eye makes the city of London receive more visitors because of its unique design that makes it possible for tourists to get an aerial view of the city.
The shift to formalism in architecture is caused by architects’ exposure to different contemporary designs which have high artistic value. The world has become more connected than ever before and this allows architects to borrow ideas from other places which they incorporate into their work. Therefore, some architects do not see the relevance of designing structures that conform to other elements in their surrounding natural environments (Larsson 1993, p. 97).
They are more interested in expressing themselves artistically through their designs than creating structures that serve crucial social needs. This influence has changed the way people perceive architecture in different places. Changes which are being experienced in the profession have made more architects to focus more on the ornamental aspects of architectural design. Therefore, modern architects are more interested in having unique artistic styles which distinguish their works from those of other architects.
The sensitivity to cultural attitudes and norms has made more architects to focus on form rather than other important elements of structural design. Some clients are more concerned with the outer appearance of their structures rather than the value they add to users. This makes such structures distinct within locations they are based because they have symbolic value to people that live nearby (Warburton 2012, p. 75). This is common with religious shrines and temples, which are revered due to the value attached to ornamental designs that dominate their exteriors. Hindu temples have a lot of carvings and sculptures on their exteriors, which make them distinct places of worship. These carvings have a lot of importance to Hindu believers because they convey different meanings which add value to their religious practices.
Many structures serve as symbols of cultural value in areas they exist. This is because of their relevance within settings they are based. They have a lot of monumental value due to their exterior look rather than social needs they are meant to serve. Therefore, such structures are treated like monuments because they represent unique ideals which are treasured in locations they have been constructed (Crinson 2003, p. 89). Architects have to make designs which conform to these interests to make these structures relevant to peoples’ interests. For instance, the Jewish Museum in Berlin takes note of Jewish cultural values and integrates it with their history in Europe.
Conclusion
Function is a primary consideration in architecture whose importance cannot be ignored. Architects need to be influenced by logical deductions in their designs, to enable them create structures that are relevant in locations they are situated. They need to incorporate simple ideas to create timeless concepts that satisfy users’ expectations.
References
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