ARCHITECTURE, BETWEEN ART AND SCIENCE

The majority of new high school graduates have a lot of misconceptions about architecture. It is mainly caused by the stereotype that society assigns to the architect. Generally speaking, society thinks of the architect as a mathematician who does the math to prevent the building from falling apart, or as someone good with rulers and pencils.

People think that architecture is only about fine arts. However, it is much more than that. It has a lot of connected fields to it, which makes it not that easy to master.

A study conducted by Indiana University’s National Study of Student Engagement reveals that architecture majors spend the most time outside of their classes studying. On average, an architecture major spends 22.2 hours a week working on projects and generally furrowing their brows.

If you take a look back in history, you’ll find that architects achieved success in many other connected fields such as mathematics, philosophy, physics, and even sociology.

Mathematics :

Ever heard of the golden ratio?

Some twentieth-century artists and architects, including Le Corbusier and Salvador Dalí, have proportioned their works to approximate the golden ratio especially in the form of the golden rectangle, in which the ratio of the longer side to the shorter is the golden number, believing this proportion to be aesthetically pleasing.

The presence of the Golden Ratio has been found in architecture dating over 4,000 years ago. From the ancient Great Pyramids to the modern CN Tower, the aesthetically pleasing aspects of mathematics in architecture is ever-present. Here are some of the famous monuments that were designed using the golden ratio:

The Parthenon :

Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame :

Philosophy :

The metaphysics of architecture covers a vast range of questions for those who see in architecture as no more than built structures or stones, wood, and metal arranged pleasingly. It involves the nature of architectural objects and their properties and types, the relations of architectural parts and wholes, and the prospect of architectural causality.

For example, Ian Ritchie develops his thoughts through language: poetry and aphorisms influenced by subjects ranging from physics and neuroscience to social concerns, history, and landscape. He then translates these into a visual medium, often in the form of etchings.

sociology :

“We need utopian visions to wake us up from the slumber of the status quo” quotes architect Ian Ritchie.

Architecture is often quoted as a reflection of society. Consider how the great pyramids of Egypt underline their rulers’ power and prestige, the importance they placed in the afterlife, and their enormous value for material goods, even in death. Every era of human history speaks with a distinct architectural voice.

Physics :

Claude Perrault was a French architect, best known for his participation in the design of the east façade of the Louvre in Paris. He also achieved success as a physician and anatomist, and as an author, who wrote treatises on physics and natural history. Aside from his influential architecture, he translated Roman books that held the only surviving Roman work on architecture. Claude also contributed to acoustics. In his later book, he treats such subjects as sound media, sources of sound, and sound receivers.

Architecture is a fascinating profession, it requires artist-level creativity, practical knowledge, and exceptional project management skills. Architects aren’t just identical bricks in the wall. They don’t approach things the same way. It makes every one of them unique.