Architectural Theory - Essay Example

Architectural Theory of Design In order to have a profound understanding of the architectural field it is paramount that one has knowledge of space and form. It is very simple to build a thought in your mind about how you will design a room into a living space however the theoretical structure that borders the design is not quite as easy. This is where an architect comes in whereby an architect is the one who devices this theoretical structure and turns it into a reality. Nonetheless the theoretical structural design differs from one architect to another. The Design theory of architecture is in a continuous evolution whereby architects are coming up with newer and newer ideas every day. This has been accelerated by the technological advancements in the field that has further led to the expansion of knowledge of the design theory of architecture. When looking at the design theory in architecture it is vital we consider the newly founded styles of architecture that is; contemporary, post-modernism and modernism Looking at architectural style of modernism, it is a style that was founded in the early years of the twentieth century. The roots and good qualities of modernist architecture have been safe guarded and are displayed in Marseilles, France at Le Corbusier's iconic Unite d'Habitation. The modernist architects were against the ways of their predecessors who had ornamental architectural designs. These modernist architects were of a rather different perspective of architecture whereby their interest laid creating space and structure exactly the way it’s needed. The design of a simple structure that had a structure of the natural world that surrounded them is a good example of how modernist architects thought. Many a times the building that were designed by these architects were said to be competing with nature due to the fact that they were built in the shape of their surrounding rather than being built to blend in with the surrounding. The famous phrase “less is more” devised by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe who is renowned scholar is understood in the ideology fundamental to the clear, unassuming lines in modernist design theory in architecture. In reaction to the era of the modernist architects came the age of post-modernism. This era came in the early 1970s. Postmodernism was more of a blend between modernism and the era that was before modernism. This was due to the fact postmodernist architects had decorative and ornamental features and additions to their designs of buildings. This architecture was therefore an improvement of their predecessors although it had decorations and unplanned angles. Over the years with the advancement in technology, the discovery of new architectural ideas and concepts and ultimately the expansion of the architectural field, post-modernist architecture has come to be more modifiable and also more sculptural. These properties of post-modernist architecture are a response to the prior modernist architectural look, design and movement. The post-modernist architecture has over time transformed into a more profound, less rigid and sculptural form of architecture for example: the work of famous post-modernist architect Richard Rogers which was design of the Centre Georges Pompidou museum in Paris, France and also the work of another famous post-modernist architect Frank Gehry which was design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. When we talk about contemporary architecture we basically mean all the architecture that was developed in the 1980s. However this architecture has evolved over time due to the advancement in technology, the discovery of new architectural ideas and concepts and ultimately the expansion of the architectural field. Computer advancements have made it possible the simulation of architectural designs which has shed light into conceptual thinking and architectural styles. These computer advancements have taken the theoretical thinking and insight into recent architectural styles to new heights and have brought up a new style that is new and that has never been experienced in the architectural world before.in this contemporary age. Contemporary architecture is very much influenced by post-modernist architecture in the aspects of being a lot less rigid, being sculptural and also has an ornamental and decorative aspect. Contemporary architecture is continuously pushing the envelope looking to formulating something fresh while trying not forget that contemporary architecture has its origin based on post-modernist principles and many a times existing as post-modernist architecture. These periods continuously influence and intersect with each other resulting into fresh and new architectural ideas which architects apply. Therefore the modernist, contemporary and post-modernist theories unceasingly impact on each other they develop from and build off from each other. Ideas that culminate from the design theory of architecture are usually applied or practiced in two ways. Firstly these theories should be practiced through application of the aesthetic aspect of design whereby this aspect mostly focuses on the aesthetic value of the building or structure being designed. This is mostly to do with the decorations to be put on the design the shape of the design and the shapes of the constituents of the design, the ornamental aspect of the design and the general aesthetic value of the design. Secondly is the practical aspect which is usually pegged the actual blue prints of the structure which include the dimensions the overall design and the size. In the creation, design and overall construction of a building a team of experts of different fields are usually hired in order for it to be done effectively. This team usually consists of surveyor, civil engineer, architect and other experts. There is however one aspect that differentiates the architect from all other member of the team. This aspect is the fact that the architect makes decision or bases his or her opinions on his or her experience with other buildings. These design theories only change when there is discovery of a new design by an architect or due to the technological advancements that are occurring around the clock. Due to the fact that pin pointing particular theoretical ideologies proves problematic for the reason of corresponding and animate nature of every movement, historians use these definitions and time periods while they lecture or talk about architecture. If a building is said to be contemporary then it would be true to say that the building is also post-modern due to the fact that contemporary architecture culminated from post-modernism. However more clearly defines meanings and definitions should be stipulated for the different styles. Looking at the design theory in the everyday activities of an architectural design manager, he or she encounters various individuals in his work from day to day. Most of these individuals in many a case have some history are knowledgably in the field of design. These groups are really are carrying out a task that is supposed to be in line with the fixed design of the work at hand. Moreover, each group has some share, and may opt to use varied ways to accomplish their portion of the task they have been designated to do. The architectural design manager hence requires a mind that is alert on how to construct the tasks objectives so that he or she can in a matter of time accomplish what seems vague or ambiguous in the business he or she has been forwarded. In addition to other methods we have already talked about in this context, design model and design techniques enhance a guideline to grasp the primary features of that project and therefore enable the manager to develop various policies and measures that all along will enable him to undertake his task in a more refined manner. The most archaic written evidence on design theory architecture is Vitruvius’ Ten books on architecture from the first century BC. After that, architects have been saving and documenting their various ideologies concerning architecture. Such records often document a unique idea (Rowe 1987), showing what architects must execute rather than what they are really concentrating on. Various tiresome scientific researches in design theory are really of recent times, dating their roots in the 1950’s. They are related to systems theory which began out of a requirement to handle the vague tasks that was much more chaotic to managers at that point in time then. Generally, that sector was referred to as design methodology .and during its years of advancement, the knowledge and technical knowhow have been over and time again been reviewed and newer versions have been forwarded back to the design fraternity. Sincerely speaking, I think that it is really humane to claim that our grasp of design theory of architecture is still narrow and really needs to be looked at from a professional angle. Researchers are indeed in a dilemma between two very peculiar methods of design; design as rational problem solving versus design as reflective practice. In brief and precise wording, design as rational problem solving brings about issue of problem breaking down, design as finding, solving problems, and infusing partial solutions to full solutions. Therefore, if it would have been really possible, measurable methods would be better than qualitative techniques as used In this context. Furthermore, design as reflective practice, postulates that the architect continuously breaks and apportions the problem, but at every point of time varying as the urgency takes place, thereby dependent on this fundamental, builds up a design problem, comes up with a partial solution, and in the long run confirms whether the solution is moving in the desired direction. Rational problem solving has a solid theoretical foundation, but really looks much more real to an architect for a comparison between the two, and hence one must put into prior consideration of this before jumping into any conclusions. In essence, it is known that there is accepted and international guideline to explain that design does not in reality indicate that we are not at a gain. As directed to the architectural design managers, it is vital to grasp a number of a wide accepted important tactics concerning design. The major one is that design problems are worst-structured at the topmost level, or even whack (Rittel and Webber 1973). The result is that there is no even one problem break down that will remain from the start to the end; getting to grasp the design schedule that is so much intertwined to making of design solutions. Design groups thus require the ease on the other hand to keep record of all vital issues. Mistrial in conceptualizing always arises and when they occur, there is one balanced or optimally chosen result to this. However, in many cases, it is difficult to ascertain and verify and by this it has resulted to more complex alternate methods for architects to use in order to get the best solution. As already discussed in the previous paragraphs, design methodology in the yesteryears was an infusion of design methods and the scientific design of design. For now, these two areas are considered to be unique, and it is therefore of essence that is vital to discuss about. Design methods are of importance when trying to get a design solution which will really take a matter of time. When the expense of not making it is very high: when the process has to be accounted for: when the design work is very ambiguous and when a vast number of groups are involved in the design project. Design methods are normally a subject of scrutiny for many architects. Many architects dislike discussing on this, about their task schedule in terms of technique used, because it portrays a repetition that supersedes originality. Owing to information and communication technology surrounding us, many architect and architectural companies have commenced testing with other new design methods. For example, the internet has transformed communication structures and enables the development of design groups spread across the globe that work under a 24 hour system surveillance through the various time zones. Upgrading I CAAD software, to be specific, the parametric modeling also needs varying design policies. Such patterns have an effect on the design stages without persons discussing about these changes in context of design methods. In ADMS, we strive to put in place a unique deciphering of a design method. An item is considered to be a design method when it states a defined objective within the design schedule; when it outlines the various steps and the systematic order of ways; when it can be applicable in more than one scenario; when other persons can facilitate it into their process; and when the outcome of a step are experimental. The application of a design method does not vitally enable a perfect result. A design method by virtue of its wording filters out various dimensions about a design problem that the results must be formulated. What exactly a design method does, it shows by outlining which steps are of the essence, and in which format to carry out these steps. In relation to the architectural design manager, it is very vital to now when and exactly how a design method have an impact on a design group. All those things which do not comply with the necessities of a design method nonetheless can be put into task- we just do not refer to it as a design method. It is thus okay to use a method, but it must not end up into a wrong effect in security since a method always filters out those dimensions which in the long run be considered to be of importance to the task at hand. Moreover, using a method may not make it easy the architect from having a diverse knowhow concerning the design and hence it is advised that methods should only be used by professionals. Severally, in various cases, the tasks explained in this article dwell upon researches in which the architectural design manager met with a new ideology of which he or she did not have enough knowhow concerning it. In the guidelines of design theory, a handful of projects were accomplished on the basis of rank and the groups who had an interest on an ADMS particular job level 2003-2007. In the entirety of this work, the difficulty of the project can hence be traced. In the guidelines of design methods, a handful of tasks were described and explained also in the virtue of list of their dimensions and various appealing attributes they possessed. This thus aided the architectural design manager to grasp and have a firm knowledge of the design stages of those tasks he or she had awarded. The discontent with architectural designs approaching the 20th century resulted in the revolution of the architectural design theory. Architects begun to come up with fresh designs and even changed their perspective of architecture. This served as forerunners to Modern Architecture. It was the opinion of most architects that buildings had converted into excessively decorated and ornamented structures with a variety of styles that were impossible to determine their function. It was their belief that architecture was not about improving the work of past architects or modifying what existed in the past but rather blending in with the needs of the common man. These architects were of the opinion that buildings should not be filled with decorations and ornamental designs rather they should be built to suite the purpose. A good example is the Deutscher Werkbund finished in 1907. With the developing facts in scientific fields and coming up of fresh resources and technology, architecture and engineering started to be considered separate fields, and the architect started to focus on artistic and the humanist features, time and again at the expense of practical characteristics of structure design. It also brought up the concept "gentleman architect" who typically were concerned with affluent customers and focused mainly on visual aspects resulting frequently from historical archetypes, exemplified by the numerous state houses of England that were constructed in the Neo Gothic or Scottish Baronial styles. Proper architectural teaching in the nineteenth century, a good example being in France at Ecole des Beaux Arts, put much importance to the reproduction of attractive drawings and lesser importance on setting and viability. Design architects usually got their training in the workplaces of other architects, progressing to be architects from being apprentices. In conclusion, the design theory of architecture has come a long way. Although, design that is to be used depends with the architect, the period or year and also the culture are also seen to influence the design. All through the 18th century most architects used the same designs whereby buildings were mostly decorated and ornate. Architects were mostly called upon to build castles and palaces for kings. All the designs no matter the part of the world were adorned with expensive decoration and ornaments and were also quite big. Coming into the 20th century building were designed to suite the purpose of design for example factories were built to accommodate workers, building were built in cities for offices. This was different from the previous times whereby huge palaces with adorned architecture were put up as a sign of power and wealth. The culture also influenced the design of structures and buildings. Architects that came from different cultures were influenced with their culture in their designs whereby the designs were based on the structures they have grown up in or of building designs in their community. References Francoise Choay, Alberti and Vitruvius, editor, Joseph Rykwert, Profile 21, Architectural Design, Vol 49 No 5-6 John Ruskin, The Seven Lamps of Architecture, G. Allen (1880), reprinted Dover, (1989) Le Corbusier, Towards a New Architecture, Dover Publications(1985).  Rondanini, Nunzia. Architecture and Social Change Heresies II, Vol. 3, No. 3, New York, Neresies Collective Inc., 1981. 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