ARCHITECTURE AND LIFE
ARCHITECTURE AND LIFE
As I zip past several traffic signals and countless buildings to reach my office, I wonder time and again – can there be a better way to create living environments? Why do we continue to construct buildings the way we see them today? Can there be a different way to perceive the built structures which we inhabit finally? Space is all that we have – a tool – to play with, to create a story that we call architecture. It’s a science that seeks to establish a relation between space, light, air, water, fire and ofcourse, us. The quality of architecture is intrinsically linked to this relation. Just as a good relation amongst different musical notes leads to an astounding piece of music or a song, we come to a conclusion that not a single musical note exists in isolation. The identity of a particular note is therefore not isolated or exclusive. The existence of a note is felt on the basis of its “positioning” and “relationship” it enjoys with other notes in the musical composition. In effect, each note is independent, but also shares a relation to all other notes in a composition. Nothing is absolutely exclusive.Architecture is famously quoted as “frozen music”. In architecture, this ‘musical relationship’ encompasses the air, fire, water, light and space (indoor and the outdoor). The approach of architecture is to create an astounding quality of space and to be able to feel its presence and to establish our relationship to it. Simply put, to organise all internal spaces in such a way, that they are independent in their own way BUT they are also visually connected and related to one another and also to all natural elements and us. People need a balance of privacy and at the same time, a deep rooted psychological connection with the environment around them. This environment means – combination of space, light, air, fire and water and people. This basic need of "striking a balance with the outside world and at the same time maintaining a calmness of the internal world" is a very subtle feeling that sensitive architecture tries to address. It tries to compliment the Inside and the Outside, establishing a symbiotic relation.For Architects - walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows are their palettes to create this harmonious composition and balance of air, fire, water, light and space. The “window” as a physical component is nothing great, but the connection and the linking it provides to the outside environment is architecture. Its not the window alone, but what lies “beyond” the window which is of primary concern to us. This perception and appreciation of changing environment (within the structure and outside the structure) is important to feel, and to remain connected to it and respond to the changes. Technological advances might have reduced our dependence (in architectural terms – our responses) to the outside environment. Structures in highly commercially developed places like Dubai, seem to be totally independent or mutually exclusive from the surrounding climatic environment in which they are a part of. The value of a structure in architecture need not restrict itself to be an exclusive "art" form - something that is to be awed or marveled at from a distance only and not have any relationship with what goes outside. The two systems – internally controlled by artificial lighting and A/C on one hand; and a hot and harsh climate in the exterior seldom strike a dialogue. Studies have indicated that working in such an “absolutely” constant internal environment has some adverse effects on people’s mental health leading to irritability and loss of efficiency in the long run. Apart from the carbon imprint that these structures make a dent on the environment, technological wonders seem to take us away from the basic purpose of existence – to relate to the ecosystem and to appreciate the interdependence. This interdependence results in sustainable approach. To exist, one must take the inputs from Nature and at the same time give back our feedback to It, thereby enriching It. It is to understand that the identity of “Self” is Relative and not exclusive like the “Ego”.Parallels are established in fields such as quantum mechanics. We are led to the conclusions that what we think cannot remain mutually exclusive, but is transferred to the whole of universe. Spiritual discourses seem to suggest that the race for independency and supremacy (read Separation from the Whole) is futile. This role model is obviously against the principles of capitalism and consumerism, but after repeated cycles of financial crunches, it would be worth an effort to start thinking about approaches which are sustainable and all encompassing. The reason that there seems to be a recession is an indication of a highly exclusive system going berserk because of a lack of dialogue and response to the surrounding parameters. As long as the human race does not try to achieve an equilibrium with the surroundings, these recessional cycles are bound to repeat.Establishing an Equilibrium with nature holds the key to almost all aspects of life. To start with this approach, one must try and look for answers beginning with who am I? What is my role in the story of Life? What is my relation to the Cosmos? Understanding the relation means to feel the inter-connectedness between all aspects of life. It is to let go of the concept of Exclusivity/ privacy/ superiority/ ego. It is to be aware of the effects of our actions on the larger spectrum of life, so that every decision made, is a conscious responsible one, taking into account the needs of numerous systems at play. That’s perhaps might be termed as being Human.
As I zip past several traffic signals and countless buildings to reach my office, I wonder time and again – can there be a better way to create living environments? Why do we continue to construct buildings the way we see them today? Can there be a different way to perceive the built structures which we inhabit finally? Space is all that we have – a tool – to play with, to create a story that we call architecture. It’s a science that seeks to establish a relation between space, light, air, water, fire and ofcourse, us. The quality of architecture is intrinsically linked to this relation. Just as a good relation amongst different musical notes leads to an astounding piece of music or a song, we come to a conclusion that not a single musical note exists in isolation. The identity of a particular note is therefore not isolated or exclusive. The existence of a note is felt on the basis of its “positioning” and “relationship” it enjoys with other notes in the musical composition. In effect, each note is independent, but also shares a relation to all other notes in a composition. Nothing is absolutely exclusive.Architecture is famously quoted as “frozen music”. In architecture, this ‘musical relationship’ encompasses the air, fire, water, light and space (indoor and the outdoor). The approach of architecture is to create an astounding quality of space and to be able to feel its presence and to establish our relationship to it. Simply put, to organise all internal spaces in such a way, that they are independent in their own way BUT they are also visually connected and related to one another and also to all natural elements and us. People need a balance of privacy and at the same time, a deep rooted psychological connection with the environment around them. This environment means – combination of space, light, air, fire and water and people. This basic need of "striking a balance with the outside world and at the same time maintaining a calmness of the internal world" is a very subtle feeling that sensitive architecture tries to address. It tries to compliment the Inside and the Outside, establishing a symbiotic relation.For Architects - walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows are their palettes to create this harmonious composition and balance of air, fire, water, light and space. The “window” as a physical component is nothing great, but the connection and the linking it provides to the outside environment is architecture. Its not the window alone, but what lies “beyond” the window which is of primary concern to us. This perception and appreciation of changing environment (within the structure and outside the structure) is important to feel, and to remain connected to it and respond to the changes. Technological advances might have reduced our dependence (in architectural terms – our responses) to the outside environment. Structures in highly commercially developed places like Dubai, seem to be totally independent or mutually exclusive from the surrounding climatic environment in which they are a part of. The value of a structure in architecture need not restrict itself to be an exclusive "art" form - something that is to be awed or marveled at from a distance only and not have any relationship with what goes outside. The two systems – internally controlled by artificial lighting and A/C on one hand; and a hot and harsh climate in the exterior seldom strike a dialogue. Studies have indicated that working in such an “absolutely” constant internal environment has some adverse effects on people’s mental health leading to irritability and loss of efficiency in the long run. Apart from the carbon imprint that these structures make a dent on the environment, technological wonders seem to take us away from the basic purpose of existence – to relate to the ecosystem and to appreciate the interdependence. This interdependence results in sustainable approach. To exist, one must take the inputs from Nature and at the same time give back our feedback to It, thereby enriching It. It is to understand that the identity of “Self” is Relative and not exclusive like the “Ego”.Parallels are established in fields such as quantum mechanics. We are led to the conclusions that what we think cannot remain mutually exclusive, but is transferred to the whole of universe. Spiritual discourses seem to suggest that the race for independency and supremacy (read Separation from the Whole) is futile. This role model is obviously against the principles of capitalism and consumerism, but after repeated cycles of financial crunches, it would be worth an effort to start thinking about approaches which are sustainable and all encompassing. The reason that there seems to be a recession is an indication of a highly exclusive system going berserk because of a lack of dialogue and response to the surrounding parameters. As long as the human race does not try to achieve an equilibrium with the surroundings, these recessional cycles are bound to repeat.Establishing an Equilibrium with nature holds the key to almost all aspects of life. To start with this approach, one must try and look for answers beginning with who am I? What is my role in the story of Life? What is my relation to the Cosmos? Understanding the relation means to feel the inter-connectedness between all aspects of life. It is to let go of the concept of Exclusivity/ privacy/ superiority/ ego. It is to be aware of the effects of our actions on the larger spectrum of life, so that every decision made, is a conscious responsible one, taking into account the needs of numerous systems at play. That’s perhaps might be termed as being Human.
posted by niranjan at 11:06 AM
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