Everything you need to know about Architecture. Consider the well-known phenomenon of tree growth. It all starts with a sapling, which is then nurtured and nourished until it becomes a healthy tree. Consider the sapling’ to be the field of architecture’, and the questions we ask, the water. Architecture expands in many dimensions, just as a tree can have many branches. The most important thing is that the Tree begins at ground zero. Its basic food is water. We cannot nourish our wisdom if we don’t ask the right questions. Let’s begin with the most basic question:
Architecture: What is it?
Architecture design can be described as life, music, poetry, or practical poetry. It is also an expression of values. These can also be very philosophical. It’s amazing how people differ from one another, and yet it explains how you can anticipate the term “historia de la arquitectura“.
What’s architecture?
The idea of architecture can seem like an ocean, even though it is difficult to explain. We will attempt to capture the essence of architecture so you can get a complete picture. These will cover everything you need to know about architecture.
Iconic Architecture Design
There are many instances where architecture developed as early as prehistoric times. Each era has contributed to the evolution and appearance of architecture over the course of human history. Some architectural wonders are extraordinary because of their scale or engineering or material or ornaments or construction techniques.
- Iconic Roman Architecture
- Gothic Architecture
- La Sagrada Familia, Spain | Gothic Architecture
- London: St. Paul Cathedral
- The Leaning Tower Of Pisa (Italie)
- Mughal Architecture
- Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral
- Temple Architecture
- Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba (Spanish)
- Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
- Empire State Building, New York
- Sydney Opera House, Sydney | Modern Architecture
- Fallingwater, Pennsylvania
- Le Centre Pompidou, Paris
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai
These beautiful buildings are sure to intrigue you! These are the wonders that man has created! It has been a noble profession since antiquity, and it is rightfully so. Let’s talk in detail about architecture as a profession.
Introduction to Architecture: A profession
It is both technical and artistic, as you probably know. It intersects with many disciplines and fields that require leadership and management skills. The architect must engage with all stakeholders, including owners and authorities.
Additionally, practice in architecture design requires technical knowledge in engineering, logistics, geometry and building techniques. Architecture serves both aesthetic and utilitarian purposes. It can fulfill both expressive and practical needs. It is also required to solve humane problems.
You often play the role of an architect’s leader or mediator within a group. We have made it this far and can now look back at different eras. This is why architecture requires a variety of specializations. We now have Architects as well as Urban planners and Urban designers, Landscape Architects and Lighting Architects. Restoration Architects are also available. Research Architects are available. Political Architects are also available.
As self-learners, history has taught us that some of the greatest architects have been born as self-learners, such as Frank Llyod Wright and Le Corbusier. However, the architectural schools offer a practical and introductory guide to becoming an architect. It is not for the faint-hearted. Darwin was right when he said: Survival of the fittest.
It is a long and difficult journey to become an architect. You will need to complete internships and take the exams. It is a different story to get into the real-world “competitive market” after graduation. The journey you take is rewarding and well worth it in the end.
If you want to be an architect, then you should be curious what it will feel like to study in an architecture school. We are now on the next step!
A quick sneak peek into Architecture Schools
Through five years of architecture school, you will be a future architect. You will learn through study, experimentation and research. Architecture schools are also less rigid than traditional schools.
Through workshops, discussions, group work, and group work, you are encouraged to interact with others. It helps you to develop both your intellectual and social skills. You will need to work consistently due to the extensive syllabus. You will learn a variety of skills, including drawing, sketching and building models by hand.
It will be obvious how many classes you take. You will be able to take classes in history and theory, design studios, construction classes, professional practice, just to name a few. While the school environment can seem daunting and difficult, it prepares students for the demands of professional life. You will be a confident, creative, and passionate architect because of the challenges you face in school.
You are now ready to enter the practice arena as a freshbie after completing five or four years of bachelor’s degree in architecture.
When you get out on the field, you will meet people who’ll ask questions like
Why do we need Architects?
Imagine a world without architects. It would make a huge difference. What other effects could it have? What would happen if all the planned cities, systems and architectural wonders were destroyed? Crazy, right! Imagine a world without architects. Consider the contributions architects make to society. If you look out, history is an open book.
It is possible to wonder what the architect’s insights are like. Managers and stakeholders often don’t have the technical knowledge of an architect to fully appreciate the complexity of a project.
Because they are involved at every level of the project, architects have a unique perspective on the system. In order to realize a vision, architects interact with analysts, customers, product managers, and executives. It is better to have a skilled person who knows the intricacies of design and execution for the greater good.
Let’s go on a journey to find out more
Organizations and architects doing innovative and excellent work in the field Architecture Design
Architecture does not have to be about huge buildings. It is easy to forget that architecture’s primary purpose, which is to provide shelter, in an age of cutting-edge technology and striking designs, can be easily forgotten. Remember that architects are responsible for society’s welfare.
Here are some examples of such Architects/Organisations that are doing unconventional work on the ground.
- Architecture Sans Frontieres
Architecture Sans Frontieres, a non-profit organization, has the mission of enabling vulnerable communities to access architectural services, research and educational resources.
- MASS Design Group
This non-profit organization’s motto is “Thinking beyond building.” Mass Design Group is a non-profit organization that works in developing countries to develop sustainable, resilient and long-term architectural solutions. This promotes justice and human dignity.
- Urbz
urbz, an experimental and research group based in Mumbai, is a pioneer in participatory planning. They strive to produce innovative models in architecture planning, design, and policymaking.
- ABVM
ABVM Architecture is an architecture firm that focuses on sustainable and social architecture design. It creates inspirational architecture by working with local workers, suppliers, materials, and assists various NGOs to reach their goals.
- Alejandro Aravena
Pritzker-winning Chilean architect is known for his socially conscious buildings that seek to reduce economic inequality in urban areas.
- Active Social Architecture
This practice is located in Rwanda and believes in the social value architecture. They have contributed significantly to the development of innovative and socially responsible solutions for communities. This reinforces the belief that architecture is a fundamental right.
- Shigeru Ban
He has built shelters of high quality and low cost for disaster victims around the globe, primarily using recycled materials like paper and cardboard.
- Anna Heringer
Anna Herringer, an architect living in Germany, believes architecture can be a tool for improving lives and has a vision to strengthen local communities. Her project METI Handmade School, Bangladesh, was awarded the Aga Khan award.
- Dharmalaya Institute
This Indian charity organization focuses on sustainable village growth and the preservation and adaptation traditional wisdom. It supports the locals through creating jobs and training them to be skilled craftsmen in sustainable building practices.
- Rizvi Hassan
Rizvi Hassan collaborates with UN, BRAC and UNICEF to create and build socially engaged spaces in Bangladesh. His humanitarian work for refugees is recognized worldwide.
There are some issues that architects can and should resolve
Architecture can help solve many of the world’s major problems. Architecture should not be seen as a profession. It can also serve to improve the lives of others. Urban areas are witnessing an increase in slums due to the increasing population.
As you can see architecture is about creative, imaginative solutions that improve the quality of people’s lives.
Technology advances as technology evolves. In the past, architects didn’t have any software and would work on sheets of room-sized paper by simply laying them down. Then came AutoCAD, the revolution that brought about the modern age.
Technological Advancements In Architecture
The days of using pencil and paper are gone. While many foundations of architecture will remain the same, it is not unreasonable to assert that technology has made architecture a more transformative profession. There are radical changes happening in how we do things. The 21st Century is synonymous with revolution in design and construction. There are tons of inventions that allow us, as architects and designers to transcend the limitations of traditional construction and design.
These technologies are essential for architects to not only survive, but also to prosper in today’s market. These advanced technologies allow us to communicate clearly, collaborate more easily, and reduce costs.
Let’s take a look at some fundamental technological advances in architecture that make our lives easier.
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)
BIM can be used to keep all parties involved in a project on the right page. It allows the distribution and management of the design stages–from ideation to construction, and even renovation, demolition and recirculation–enabling proper execution with lesser inaccuracies.
These are the most well-known BIM softwares, including Revit, ArchiCad, and Allplan.
- Architecture Parametric Design
Parametric design can be defined as a process that uses algorithmic thinking to encode a relationship between intention and response. Parametric design involves manipulating complex geometries and structures at the elemental level.
3D modeling allows architects to create designs that are controlled by parameters. This makes it possible for them to achieve a design that is both realistic and practical. Parametric design is a great way to create large spaces without columns or walls. Parametricism is a well-known feature of Zaha Hadid’s works.
- Architecture: Generative Design
The generative design mimics nature’s evolutionary design approach to design and uses the power of computations to explore thousands upon options. There is no one solution to every design problem.
Designers input details such as materials, manufacturing methods, and budget into generative software. It then uses cloud computing for potential solutions. This allows it to generate numerous design options. The software then learns and tests what works. Take a look at the Autodesk Toronto office to see generative design in action.
- Artificial intelligence (AI), robots and designs guided by AI
Already, AI is replacing manual labor. It was difficult to build a high rise because you had to follow static blueprints and couldn’t move parts. Designers can now use AI and BIM to help blueprints adapt to different parameters, such as weather and equipment.
Hadrian X and Sam100 are two of the most popular bricklaying robots. These robots are mechanical bricklaying machines that can be programmed for a variety of brick-laying layouts and patterns. They work more efficiently than manual labour, as expected. NCCR Digital Fabrication, a Switzerland company, has also created a pre-programmed robot to build steel-reinforced frames autonomously.
Automation and robots are helping us design buildings that are more efficient. This will allow us to do great things in the future.
- Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Virtual Reality (VR).
Imagine being able to present your ideas and concepts in a live-like environment. VR allows architects to do exactly that. VRs are a hot trend among designers and clients.
They offer experiences that help to create user-specific and efficient designs. You see what you believe. It is also true that the reverse is true. VRs can be used to make your vision more tangible and convincing. A VR headset allows clients to simply slide into the virtual world and experience how the building plan unfolds. This provides a powerful architectural experience.
AR also enhances the real-life experience. It overlays the 2D and 3D layers so that the user, or the designer, can feel the materials being used in design. You can find out more about the technology available today. You can check out Fuzor and CURV, Touchable Holograms (Touchable Holograms), Jaunt VR, Shapespark or Google Cardboard to name just a few.
AR and VR offer designers many opportunities.
- Internet of things (IoT).
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to connecting devices and objects to the internet. All data is collected and shared. IoT is illustrated by Alexa, the personal assistant and video doorbells. IoT is a driving trend in construction and design.
For example, sensors can be added to BIM to create a 3D model of a building. IoT can also help reduce carbon emissions and make the world greener by helping us to reduce waste. It doesn’t rely on users turning off machines or HVAC systems.
- 3D printing in Architecture Construction
3D printing is used by architects and designers to quickly create physical models to show off and use in their work. Using a CAD program with a 3D printer is a great way to save time and labor when creating a model from scratch. Few countries have begun to test this technology in their houses. In 2021, India’s first 3D-printed house was constructed by a startup called ‘Tvasta’ at IIT-Madras.
WinSun, a Chinese company, used 3D printing technology to build 10 houses using recycled materials. Each house cost $4,800. The special ink was made of cement, fibre and sand. Next, layers of printed material were used to build the walls. These walls were then assembled on-site.
- Prefabrication
Are you not convinced modular construction has many advantages over traditional methods of construction? You can easily see the benefits. Prefabrication can bring you many benefits, including faster manufacturing, greater predictability, superior quality, lower waste, and fewer workers.
Despite the many benefits, the construction industry still relies heavily on traditional methods. Only time will tell if prefabrication really is the future in construction.
- Architectural Software
We are constantly bombarded by options as we move forward in time. Several architectural software such as Rhino, Archicad and Grasshopper are being adapted to design and construction.
Additionally, modeling software and 3D rendering software like SketchUp, Rhino and Maya have already revolutionized the digital world. The entire planet is available at your fingertips. Google Earth and other applications like it are getting more detailed. Users can now pan around the globe in 3D.
Finch 3D software will be available as a plug in to Grasshopper. Rhino 3D is the home of Grasshopper. Finch 3D will allow you to leverage designs during the early phases of construction. The developers claim that architects will be able use parametric design with no knowledge of Grasshopper and coding. This software helps architects to streamline their workflows, iterate quickly, explore, and deliver solutions.
- Mobile Apps for Architects
It can be difficult to carry your laptop everywhere you go. Mobile apps have made architects’ lives easier over the years. Apps have simplified communication. While some apps are intended for professionals, others can easily be used by anyone due to their simple interfaces and intuitive navigations.
The Future of Architecture Design
Architecture and construction are no longer limited to traditional methods, as we’ve seen. Modern technologies are now available to architects and construction crews. It is constantly changing due to new inventions and advancements.
Smart cities are a solution to urban sustainability. Smart cities are a promising option for the future. They offer renewable energy, Transit-Oriented Development, TOD, smart home energy management systems and access to public amenities.
Green building is becoming the new buzzword due to the increase in carbon footprint and global warming. Green building is an attempt to increase the positive aspects of a building’s lifecycle, while reducing the negative effects from its built mass and construction.
