The Fundamentals of Architecture

Subject matter is important. Understanding your subject matter can be just as important. My endeavours with this project did not come concept first- I am not drawing a series of "things" to flesh out my concept. Instead, this project started "thing" first: buildings and architecture. Concept was made to follow. 

I have always had a certain fascination with architecture, particularly "older" forms of the art. They have occupied my sketchbooks and camera rolls for years. While I don't disregard modern visions of building, there is a certain character that lies within buildings made at a time when economics was not so heavily at the forefront of decision making, though I understand cost has always played a part. However, I don't see the government hashing out the funds that would be necessary to recreate architectural and artistic mammoths such as the Notre Dame Cathedral in our modern economy. Space today is determined almost solely through cost, which is why concepts such as suburbia exist.

Looking at cost, Notre Dame Cathedral and the One World Trade Centre would be historic and modern examples of mega expensive monster buildings. The OWTC is considered one of the most expensive buildings in the contemporary world.

Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris) - my own image

The One World Trade Centre (New York City) - https://blog.allplan.com/en/most-expensive-buildings

Basic observation shows that architectural trends have shifted in favor of more simple and streamlined facades. The maximalist chaos of older architecture is what has captured my heart. 

But aside form all that, since architecture and buildings are at the core of this project, what is the foundation (ha- get it?) of architecture? The who, what, where, when, why, and hows? What does my subject matter mean? It is important to note that I am looking at architecture as both an extension and integral part of simple structure making. Architecture seems to split into two major categories that appear in every answer: function and aesthetics. 

Using my meager, non-architect, art-focused noggin, these are the answers I have come to. I would consider them to be musings beyond any concrete (again- ha) answer.

Who is architecture for?

Well... I would say the rich.  

Architecture in its most simple terms contributes to the creation of shelter that humans use to protect themselves from the elements (So yes, technically animals [think beaver dams or bird nests] participate in architecture but I'll be focusing on human creation to save myself from writing a novel on architecture here). Therefore, architecture is made by humans for humans as basic protection.

But architecture as an extension of shelter structures moves into the realm of aesthetics, where aspects of the building no longer serves just a basic function but operates as a luxury. Architecture in many ways operates as a display of wealth. Money = opulence. Architecture then becomes a means for a person to invest in a display of wealth so that they can signify a kind of class to other people. 

What is architecture?

Our good friend Merriam Webster defines architecture as "the art or science of building" with the subnote: "the art or practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable ones" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/architecture). I would consider the science half to take care of making materials withstand gravity so that we can exist in structures knowing that they will not collapse on our heads at any given moment. The art half deals with the aesthetics, the creation of style, or to turn a building into an artistic object. The science part makes sure those things are structurally possible.

Where be this architecture?

Everywhere that holds human inhabitation. Different forms of architecture exist differently in different areas. Think: what buildings may look like in a lower-income community vs. a gated community. A city like Paris contains a lot of original historic architecture due to Haussmannization and as such has an "older city" feel, while a city like Shanghai in comparison looks like it belongs in the future.

https://www.france-pub.com/city-paris.php

https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1194295.shtml

When?

Like everything, styles change over time. Refer back to my example of Paris and Shanghai. Shifts in societal values and again, economics, affect how architecture is made and what it looks like. So long as humans inhabit the earth, architecture will be a part of it. 

Why architecture?

Besides its basic function, architecture exists as a means for humans to continue to beautify our spaces and surroundings. I believe that to be an integral part of what makes us human and why architecture is considered to be art. 

How?

Don't ask me, I'm not an architect!