How Does Architecture Impact Society?
Architecture has served as a reflection of culture throughout history, representing the ideals, achievements, and ultimate demise of civilizations. We can learn a lot about the people who lived in cities long before our time by looking at the monumental structures, residences, and buildings that make up the city’s fabric. By studying the built environment of the past, combined with modern-day research on psychology and the environment, we’re coming to understand the effects of architecture on people in entirely new ways, which begs the question: Just how does architecture impact society?
The Importance of Architecture
Architecture exists to create the physical world in which people live at the most basic level, but architecture is far more than that; it is also a part of our culture. It is a reflection of both how we see ourselves and how we see the world.
Although the shelter is a relatively simple idea, the style of buildings was initially influenced by a specific area’s environment, the readily available materials, and the culture’s values that built them. The styles evolved as the world became more connected, but even in modern construction, it is still important to respect the built environment’s cultural nuances.
There’s also the understanding that architecture is a discipline within itself. One could argue that it’s equally important for architects to continue to push the boundaries of buildings in new ways for the pure pursuit of the craft.
More Than Just a Building
Architecture has a profound effect on its occupants, not just on a societal level but also on a more personal level. Anything from the layout of the room to the material finishes can impact the well-being, mood, and efficiency of the people who use it. It’s been shown that people who work in well-designed spaces take less sick days, are more concentrated, and contribute more to the company as a whole.
Sterile, concrete landscapes and unimaginative buildings cause higher levels of stress. Designing buildings, as well as cities, to combat this, whether it be beautiful, awe-inspiring architecture, or simply a mindful connection to nature, helps humans to feel more relaxed, happy and engaged
Well-designed architecture and the connection individuals have to it is not something that’s easily quantified. However, we all know the feeling of walking into a space that just feels right. It’s not only functional but resonates with you on a different, subconscious level. It isn’t easy to quantify the impact of well-designed architecture and the emotional connection individuals have to it. However, we’ve all felt the feeling of walking into a room that feels just right. It’s not only practical, but it also speaks to you on a different, subconscious level.
The Architect’s Role
Architecture is both an art and a science, incorporating psychology, sociology, economics, politics, and more. Before any drawings are even begun, HMC Architects spends a significant amount of time getting to know the client, the community, and the environment in which the project will be located.
We strive to learn from previous projects, both ones we’ve done ourselves, and successful projects of similar scope done by others. A successful project is based on the understanding that the spaces and buildings we love most stir up feelings in us that are difficult to measure but are generated through the process of gathering and applying all of this knowledge and research.
Technology also plays a role in the practice of architecture and its social effects. Our access to global data, research evidence and the ability to communicate instantaneously with anyone anywhere in the world have drastically changed the profession. Architects will work on projects on different continents and draw from a global workforce, allowing for diverse ideas and cultural backgrounds to influence a project.
Technology also has changed the way we design: computer-aided drafting, BIM modelling, and virtual reality, to name a few, have made it much easier to bridge between vision and reality, create unique and complex shapes and convey information in ways that have never been seen before.
We expect technology to continue to significantly affect the future of architecture and its impact on society. Still, we believe we must continue to consider human connections to the built environment. How do we, for example, deal with the increasing disparity between economically diverse communities within cities? Or how do we utilize new technologies to rapidly respond to natural disasters or refugee needs? How do we combat the continuous increase of the world’s population, and make sure that our cities retain our inherent desire to have a connection to the natural environment?
How do we use new technologies to respond quickly to natural disasters or refugee needs, for example? How do we combat the world’s population growth while still ensuring that our cities maintain our innate desire to connect to the natural environment?