Archi blog

Modern times see the focus shift in architecture and design towards spectacle, natural resource, and digital duplication with no attention paid to the subtleties of human experience. Cities and towns are being constructed while completely ignoring the aspect of psychological well-being of the citizens and the establishment of strong communities. Instead, they concentrate on efficiency, commercial purposes, and the aesthetic appearance. The current article claims that architecture is in dire need to return to its roots since it should serve the purpose of people, as opposed to the architecture that emphasizes the visual perception above the atmospherical one and makes money in preference to providing people with the basic needs. This approach assumes that architectural buildings should not be perceived simply visually but experienced with the use of other senses.

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Architecture exists for human beings and should thus allow for a meaningful interaction between the built space and the person. Such an interaction consists of several aspects including light, texture, sound, movement, and proportion. Additionally, architecture must create a sense of belonging and dignity of people who use it regardless of their age, financial situation, sexual orientation, and disability. Jane Jacobs believes (1961) that dynamic and diverse urban spaces are the key to success instead of controlled and restricted environments. In addition to its intrinsic morality when it comes to human existence, architecture can be called hostile due to attempts to control people and surveil them. Hostile architecture, which does not provide people with the right to inhabit public spaces and even access to them, should be avoided since architecture is supposed to promote and foster human dignity. Citizens themselves are required to participate in the process and get the 'right to the city', as advocated by Henri Lefebvre (1968).

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The sustainability of architecture should extend beyond environmental issues and include such things as cultural value of architecture and construction techniques. Durability of buildings depends not on trends that may change quickly but on the cultural value that it provides as well as adaptability of the building. Evidently, architecture cannot be viewed as neutral as it has a profound effect on the human experience as far as both physical and emotional states are concerned. Therefore, architects should follow a code of ethics and be compassionate to people. They should stay centered on user experience in their designs.