Architecture is basically a combination of science and art in the construction of buildings and the design of different physical structures for human use. A wider definition of architecture includes the design of a constructed environment as a whole, from the macro level of how a building matches with its environmental contexts like urban design, town planning, and landscape architecture to the micro level of physical construction or architectural details, and sometimes hardware and furniture.
Architectural works are mostly perceived as political or cultural symbols. Ancient civilizations are chiefly popular for their architectural achievements. Architects design, plan, and review construction of structures and buildings for public use through creative association of components and materials with consideration to space, mass, texture, volume, material, shadow, program, light, and pragmatic elements like construction limitations, cost and technology, to realize an end which is basically economical, functional, practical, and mostly artistic. This differentiates architecture form the engineering designs. The engineering designs consider artistic manipulation of materials and ways of using scientific and mathematical principles as its primary objective.
Theory of Architecture
One of the oldest books written on architecture is De Architectura. The book was written by Roman architect Vitruvius in 1st century. According to his theory of architecture a great building must satisfy 3 basic principles as:
· Durability: The construction should stand up strongly and stay in a great condition.
· Utility: The construction should function well and must be useful for people living in it.
· Beauty: The construction should enchant and entice people with its design and architecture.
Importance of Architecture
Architecture has a great importance, as constructing minor to huge structures is impossible without proper application of architectural concepts. The kind of architecture and designs that are practiced today are quite different from those practiced few centuries ago. With the increasing complexity of buildings, new engineering techniques and technology are employed. Architecture today has become more multi-disciplinary. It needs a team of professionals to execute the designs properly. In the last two decades, architecture has seen a increase in specialized techniques, project delivery, and technological expertise. Also, there has been a separation of the project architect from the design architect.
Green construction and building is a new concept that is recently integrated in the field of architecture and is initiated to construct environmental friendly buildings and protect the environment from further degradation. A wonderful example of sustainable building is the proposed Dynamic Tower powered by solar planes and turbines.
