The one with Architecture or maybe the Architect...

The untold tale of an Architect

It is not surprising to hear someone ask you if architecture was the same as a civil or structural engineering or if you worked with the archeological department. That is how far the common folk is from understanding what architecture is and what architects do. 

A layman walking through the streets might never realize the implication of the grid pattern or the radial pattern in which the street has been designed. To him, all buildings might just be fashioned boxes or just symbols of aesthetic beauty.

Is this gap between the commoners and architects created by how we as architects think? or is it because they never bothered to see the world through the eyes of an architect.

Architects are widely considered the most expensive professionals one can hire. Well, there do exist, well-established architects, as there exists in any other field. This wide misconception can be summed up as the reason for most of them not wanting to hire an architect for their small projects.

Lines that go like - “I want a small house within a small budget, and so I do not need an architect.” and “ I will have to pay a fortune to afford an architect.” are indeed common. Whereas in reality, low-cost housing, sustainable and self-efficient buildings were all born from the very thoughts of several architects. This unawareness might push away the range of the architect among the commoners.

Social media has a big hand in turning tides against architects. The architect portrayed as one who draws unimaginable and expensive designs and that all architects are Picassos do not stand true in any case. The one that architects are engineers who do not know math is yet another of it’s kind though its authenticity is being pondered about. Then there are films that show architect as the cool hero with every strand of his hair perfect and has had more than enough sleep and has time to do all the things in the world from violin classes to boxing or judo. He/she still uses the antiquated draughting techniques and all draughting boards will align perfectly in their luxurious working space. One might even wonder about the existence of such architectural firms in the present day.

We as architects spend time thinking about concepts and design considerations for our projects, but how often do the people connect to these?

If the picture of Falling Waters by Frank Lloyd Wright is shown to a group of people, we are exposed to a wide range of interpretations and comments. People with an artistic side would comment on its greenery, colour scheme, and beauty. People with very little or no taste for art might just look at its practicality, function, and expense.

But an architect would analyze the thought process behind the design, the composition, the blend of design with its environment, lighting, functionality, materials used, climatic aspects and much more. Artists connect to any space or image in 2D or 3D, while the architect might be interested in the levels, boundaries created and the formation of spaces.

Commoners mostly judge a building by its beauty, the finishes used, or the furniture it holds. It is quite rare for someone to be seen appreciating it’s proper orientation or the optimum number of openings in a building.

People do believe that all architects go for an octagon or organic form rather than the regular square to create the variety element. But this does not hold true. We do have architects who create magic with the very same regular squares or rectangles. 

“We didn’t have architects in the past, then why now ?”

It is right we didn’t have any assigned architect during olden times. why is it that we don’t realize the specializations brought about an effective and more efficient change in the built forms and the comfort we enjoy these days.

Cartoonists trying to convey an architect’s side of the story

Source: Leewardists

At the same time, we hear experiences of practicing architects who were approached by clients who had a clear picture of what they wanted and knew a little more than expected. How did this happen?

The evolution of print and digital media has in fact brought people closer to the perception of an architect. Architectural journalism is one emerging warrior to defend this field. It bridges the gap between the architects and the commoners by revealing a little more into the souls of the spaces around them. The more the people are aware of the buildings around them, the more they try and understand this seemingly complex yet simply conceived ideas.

They will begin appreciating the thought process and amount of reconsiderations the architect had gone through.

Clarity and understanding are brought about by effective communication between the common folk and the architect. their perception varies a lot and hence a verbal or written communication is desired. 

Source: Leewardists

A lot of magazines that publish regarding architectural spaces and the latest technologies involved are picture oriented which deviated from the actual objective. At the most, the prices and sources are mentioned. The purpose or the thought behind the architect’s choices are never revealed.

Our country has a handful of magazines that do adhere to the objective and that is exactly where architectural journalism makes its entry. 

A near future when our people acknowledge and understand architects and what they create remains a vision - the one that can be wielded with the pen.

Well, That's all for today guys...

Will catch up soon with yet another interesting article...

Lots of Love,

Reshmy