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  • Essay / Architectural Theory

    The author says that “the purpose of architecture is to design buildings” is an unsatisfactory definition. Why does he say this? In this case, what, according to him, is the true objective of architecture? Explain. “The purpose of architecture is to design buildings” is not only an unsatisfactory definition, but it is also an understatement. . “It is probably fair to say that the questions of the definition and purpose of architecture have never been settled. These are questions about which there is a lot of confusion and debate, which is strange given that human activity is literally older than the pyramids” (Unwin, 2014). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayArchitecture has evolved over the centuries, started as shelter and protection from the environment, now it is sensitivity, communication , functionality and representation of ideas. It has more importance and meaning because it is part of everyday life. It serves different types of branches depending on the needs and desires of the users. It is an intellectual work of art that is not limited to a solitary abstraction but rather has a specific meaning and purpose. “We cannot contradict this definition, but it does not help much either; in a way, this actually diminishes our conception of architecture, limiting it to “building design”. Although it is not necessary, we tend to think of buildings as objects (like a vase or a lighter) and architecture involves much more than the design of objects” (Unwin, 2014). There is no doubt that design is an important part of architecture, but there are many other interesting elements to it. Because design can be a thought, an idea, an experience or even just a feeling. Saying that architecture is "design of objects" is another vague definition and is also considered a misconception because it limits people's thinking. “Here, the architecture of a building, of a group of buildings, of a city, of a garden…. is considered its conceptual organization, its intellectual structure. It is a definition of architecture that applies to all kinds of examples, from simple rustic buildings to formal urban environments” (Unwin, 2014). Asking an architect “what is architecture?” is probably the most difficult and fundamental question. Because the answer to this philosophical question not only requires different perspectives from people for a definitive answer, but also requires intellectual exploration. In a primordial past, as the author mentions, how humans were introduced into architecture. It was entirely based on human needs such as privacy, protection, etc. Over time, it has acquired different meanings adapted to the diversity of purposes. This is something that has been practiced over the years, each architect had a different point of view and what architecture means to them. “The idea that place identification is at the heart of architecture generation can be further explored and illustrated. In doing so, we can think of architecture, not as a language, but as one, in certain respects” (Unwin, 2014). The author mentions that architecture can certainly be a form of language that expresses the ideas, skills and creativity of an architect or even the person using that space and that design can be a combination of elements to form a vocabulary. The exchange of ideas between architects is also explained by the fact that they understand.