What does an individual envision when thinking about Architecture?
From ordinary individuals’ perspective, it is evident to envision a solid entity which comprises concrete, wood, steel, and brick which only serves as an enclosed physical structure to users. Honestly, I, too, in the past shared a similar simplistic perception about Architecture.
On the contrary, it is evident to mention that I have been prone to perceive and analyse buildings, surroundings, and space in unconventional ways after enrolling into architecture discipline. To elaborate, Architecture is a threshold to invite individuals to experience its unique multi-layered journey where It Is more than its physicality. Adding to the previous point, it is an amalgamation of various stories, histories, and emotion, embedded to the fabric of its design.
As mentioned earlier, the built environment is storytelling itself which has the ability to capture the history of a place and tell that story through spatial narratives by architectural professionals. Further, this data has mentioned a few urban illustrations to prove this term that architecture is an archive to the history, past and for the future.
Architecture as an Archive
After blending myself into this discipline, students and professionals have found that urban narratives are captivating subjects. In this realm, its foundation poses a profound question:
What is design for people which truly preserves history?
Evidently, urban is an extensive domain which involves spatial arrangement, appearance, functions, landscape, networks, preservation of history and it goes on…. Predominantly, it is an outcome to foster community engagement in which people live, engage with history and experience the journey which has been created by the people for the people. Indubitably, there are several ideal illustrations to demonstrate the notion of architecture as an archive. It is undeniable to say that archiving history does not mean It should confine within the library.
Considering the illustration of Tower Bridge, this structure has its own identity. It is obvious to say that it would be unjust to restrict this architectural archive and its significance within the pages of book to its rich heritage.
The above-mentioned images demonstrate that architectural students and professionals are prone to comprehend the built environment with a third eye lens.
The Power of Design Narratives
Throughout the time, Narratives have transformed my perspective dramatically. Mainly, Narration is the formation tool of space in order to deal with two distinguishing questions: Does architectural narrative create meaningful design? If yes then, how one could achieve narration driven designs?
Delving into the depth, narration is a creative art of telling a story, however, every individual has a distinctive manner to convey a story whether it is related to architecture or not. It can vary depending upon who is experiencing but the set of narration in architecture remains the same.
Still the question remains the same: what is Narrative?
Architectural narratives are an analysis of relationship between spatial relations which includes surroundings, the ground, the sky and formal relations which includes physical connections and visual connection. To elaborate, while interpreting stories spatial relation remains the same, however, formal relation would change. To create an intriguing narrative, an individual has to identify the parameters such as history, built environment, physical characteristics and list goes on…….
But why tell stories? Why Narrate?
There are various ways to answer these questions. To start with, it is unobvious that one could have analysed that each and every architectural narration offers different dominance in design. First and foremost, where nature, surrounding or context dominate the spatial organisation and.
Above mentioned images of the acropolis museum are an ideal example of nature-driven narration which has been totally designed by integrating history into the contemporary design.
Secondly, the design where there is a human domination where community engagement plays a pivotal role. Mostly, it is evident to mention that this design domain has mainly focused on the residential and urban sector.
Above mentioned image of social housing in Madrid is an ideal example of community-driven narration. Last but not the least, the narration which is driven by the harmony, emotion and art of journey. For instance, Islamic architecture where the beautiful patterns and the spatial organisation creates a journey for users which is spectacular and harmonious.
In essence, one could conclude that architectural perspective is way more different from ordinary perspective, it is truly legible to comprehend that it involves two different parameters such as tangible and intangible elements which formats a narration for the people by the people. Additionally, it has been said that all cultures and histories offer different narratives which could have been interpreted differently. Architecture is the same as the above-mentioned theory and illustrations.
References:
- Kiełbasińska, A., 2023. Storytelling in design: the secret role of narrative. Future Processing. Available at: https://www.future-processing.com/blog/storytelling-in-design-the-secret-role-of-narrative/
- EPTDESIGN, 2023. Weaving a narrative: How storytelling shapes design across scales. EPTDESIGN. Available at: https://eptdesign.com/weaving-a-narrative-how-storytelling-shapes-design-across-scales/
- Claus, P., 2021. Athens Acropolis Museum reopens to the world. Greek Reporter. Available at: https://greekreporter.com/2021/05/14/athens-acropolis-museum-reopens-to-the-world/
- Borson, B., 2013. Narrative as design process. Life of an Architect. Available at: https://lifeofanarchitect.com/narrative-as-design-process/
- Yuan, B., 2019. Narrative-driven architecture: Design with storytelling. Medium. Available at: https://bhys.medium.com/narrative-driven-architecture-design-with-storytelling-a42af942b925
