What is Architecture

What is Architecture? What defines good Architecture? Is there something specific that makes it Architecture? Does Architecture change throughout the years and if so, was it better in the past or present? These are a couple of questions that have been asked for years and will continue to be asked. Our world is growing fast with technology and it will continue for years to come. As our technology advances we are able to change the way we look at architecture and how we design today. Many more opportunities for architects will come in the future because we have more advances with technology to support ideas.

            With all of the technology and education these days all buildings don’t have to have an architect design them; contractors, engineers, etc. can design what they want. This whole idea of someone other than an architect designing a building brings up interesting ideas. What is the difference between Architecture and architecture? Is every building Architecture? If we define Architecture as a well designed building; then I would argue that every building is not Architecture. The difference between Architecture and architecture to me is that one is designed to help better someone’s everyday being. Architecture integrates structure and support into the design, while architecture just uses the structure to hold up the building. Architecture is not just about appearance but it is about function. A building can be the most beautiful structure on this earth but if the function is terrible then that is architecture and not Architecture. To be Architecture, I do not think it has to be designed by an architect; I just think whoever is going to design the building needs to consider every detail as an architect would.

            With everyone with busy schedules these days, everyone now has a time crunch……. design and construction are not necessarily on the same pace as the rest of production. With design, it is a longer process because people like things to be custom made for their houses and buildings. Designers and contractors are trying to come up with new solutions to speed up the building process. One solution that they have come up with is modular building. Modular building can happen away from the construction site and be massed produced and then brought to the site. One of the new dorms on A&Ms campus used modular design for their bathrooms and it worked really well. This method can be used on structures such as hotels, office buildings, dorms, and even some houses. Using this method saves a lot of time and money; the bathrooms or inserts can be customized to the likeness of what the client desires for their residence.

            The definition of Architecture is changing everyday. What it is defined as today might change tomorrow. A few things will always be associated with Architecture and that is function, structure, and esthetics. Technology will continue to take us into a new age and new wonders that have yet to have been imagined.  The question that will always be asked; “What is Architecture?”

           

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