Human Existence without Architecture

Imagine waking up on a sunny day with the sun filtering in through the window. You get out of the bed and walk to the kitchen which is right next door and make yourself a cup of coffee in the kitchen counter. Your dining room has a majestic view of your city and you are sipping your hot cup while relishing the view through the window. Sounds fun right? Will human experience of space be the same without the architecture surrounding you?

Architecture plays a critical role in our lives. The subtlety of the discipline makes it almost incognizable to the common eye, and its impact largely neglected. Nevertheless, it is a huge factor in catalysing our existence. To understand the corelation between human existence and architecture, lets dwell deeper into what architecture has meant to human existence since time immemorial. This can be understood in two ways, architecture as a cultural identity, and architecture providing a platform to foster cultural identity.

ARCHITECTURE AS A CULTURAL IDENTITY

The evolution of architecture as an cultural identity in itself can be seen in the way it has progressed from being a basic need to an ideology in itself. Cultural identity here refers to how architecture has fostered and passed down indigenous knowledge systems throughout generations. These knowledge systems have been an important component in human existence as they aide in the very survival of humans. Architecture also provides the cultural identity to a space. through history, it  been seen as an artistic expression and has been part an integral part of various movements as well. As Martha Thorne rightly said, “ Architecture is created by people! the most successful architecture goes beyond just being a shed or a box for living… the most important architecture as we look back over history are buildings or environments that have done so much more in a variety of ways- be that innovation in building and construction, or buildings that have pushed the discipline to get us to think about our environment in different ways, or just incredibly beautiful buildings that have lifted the human spirit in addition to housing our activities and our lives.” (DL, 2022)

ARCHITECTURE AS A PLATFORM FOR FOSTERING CULTURE

architecture acts as the stage for culture, which helps in fostering connections and communications between a diverse population. As said by Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, “Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual.” (Man as a social animal, 2022) Humans, other than food, water, air and shelter, have the fundamental need to socialise, interact and learn from each other for their survival.

THE SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECT

This directs us to the role of architecture in its contribution in the sociological aspect of a public hemisphere. Architecture does the job of facilitating it, thereby giving meaning to human existence. it goes without saying that architecture plays a vital role in catalysing interactions and interactivity between people by not only setting a stage for facilitating interactions, but also by removing tangible and intangible barriers. Our cities are a heterogeneous mix of identities. In such a setup, the need to establish relationship between different groups becomes a core idea for the very functioning of the society itself. It will facilitate the setting of what can be termed a tranquil society, stemming increased shared values and trust. Architecture has time and again proved to help in this by acting as a binding medium, laying ground for social interaction between varied groups as well giving people the flexibility of exploring their individuality.

CASE OF ARCHITECTURE BRINGING ABOUT INTERACTION

An interesting example to support the claim of how architecture brings people together can be understood through the design of KMC corporate office building in Hyderabad designed by Rahul Mehrotra Architects. The building has a green façade which requires to be maintained by 20 gardeners. the process of which leads to interaction between people of different backgrounds and economic groups which otherwise wouldn’t happen.

Similarly, architecture is also capable of generating activities which can lead to more interactions. A case of which can be seen in aranya housing. The planning was of the township was done keeping in mind not only the physical features of the site, but also the sociological aspects, hence leading to more integration of different income and social groups. Not only that, a typical street can be seen as a hub of varied acitviites, these acitvites are generated by the different needs of the people, therrby bringing different demographics closer in the process of fulfilling them. (Khatri, 2022)

Similar case can be seen in the design of the Waterfront clubhouse by Abin design studio, which was essentially a for the people, by the people project. The design has now become a community recreational spot that also is a cultural symbol, People of different ages groups are seen coming together and celebrating and collaborating their skills. (Abdel, 2022)

Be it promoting social justice, uplifting the besieged or tackling mental health, architecture has something to contribute to the larger discussion. Human existence depends largely on coexistence, with each other and surroundings, culture being an essential part in the process for passing down the knowledge of existence. Architecture facilitates the process of this and provides a platform for interaction, thereby playing an important role in human existence. If done the right way, it may as well pioneer the change the world needs.