Architecture

As you may have read, I've finished the whole first year of Architectural Engineering. I want to become an architect for quite a while now and after the summer my first traineeship will begin.

But, let's talk about architecture for a minute...: What IS architecture?

When one thinks of architecture, the word 'architect' quickly comes to mind.

An architect is (to put it very simple) a person who designs buildings. Here's one of my favorite architects: Frank Lloyd Wright (American). Look up some of his works, I guarantee you'll be amazed.

He wrote the following:

"My definition of Architect:

arch = chief or highest (i.e. archbishop, archetype = Master)

+

tect = technique, technology (i.e. the Know-How)

=

Architect: Master of the Know-How!

Sincerely,

Frank Lloyd Wright"

It made me giggle too, and it's partly true: along with all the creativity an architect must have, you must know a lot about technology too. Think about all the measures and details you must prepare for the construction workers, the materials you should choose, the physical aspects of a building and so on.

But I wasn't aiming at the definition of architect, just the definition of ARCHITECTURE.

'A building is architecture, because it is designed by an architect', one could say. Good point, only: is it safe to call something architecture, when the meaning is so incredibly broad, but at the same time very specific.

Let's put it simple, like I did with the definition of architect: a building is something that is BUILT, whereas architecture defines something that's been influenced by AESTHETICS.

I'm not done there just yet, for it's very tempting to picture a building in your head every time architecture is mentioned. It goes just a bit beyond that.

Let's take something, as simple as a plate... no, no, a chair. You've got a standard chair in front of you, which is being mass-produced. When you take a closer look at the chair itself, you understand its design. You make a list of principles, a list of properties the chair contains. What makes a chair what it is? This list is your foundation for the beginning of a new chair-design.

Why do you choose these measures, why these colours, why this material, why this weight, why no arm rest, why wheels underneath it? What you get, is a MILLION possibilities to make a new chair design, all emerged from the list of principles.

Every single chair-design must oblige to the list of principles that make a chair.

That set of principles, THAT is architecture.

So, is a building architecture?