Role of New Architectural Icons in Defining Cities - Essay Example

Role of New Architectural Icons in Defining Cities Since antiquity, humans have built and constructed various different physical structures, in order to acquire shelter, as well as, fulfill the purpose of social construction. In addition, it has always been the habit of humans to design the surrounded environment in a creative manner, which has resulted in the creation of term ‘architecture’, and a broad perspective of such term has achieved by different other integrated terms of urban planning, landscape architecture, etc that are some of the most imperative aspects of modern architecture. (Ching, pp. 11-12, 2007) Moreover, since antiquity until present, humans have advanced significantly in every sector, and so, humans have achieved pinnacle by the advancement in architectural designs, which can be noted by observing existing modern architectural icons, as well as, designs and plans of future architectural icons that are being built in different parts of the globe. It is observed that technology has become an important tool of humans, which is being used intellectually and imaginatively by ingenious and inspiring architects around the globe. As time is passing by, more and more improvement is being made in technological sector, as well as, in the architectural sector. On the other hand, environmental resources are reducing rapidly due to excessive utilization of humans for their personal purposes. (Ford, pp. 34-37, 2004) In this regard, it is a debatable topic whether new architectural icons will be able to carry the same intrinsic and natural role that was carried by historical architecture in the absence of technological tools and tactics. Studies have indicated that a number of factors are affecting the architectural discourse, such as technology, economy, and especially, culture. All these factors are shaping the contemporary modes and designs of architectural outcomes, and this paper will discuss whether new architectural icons that will be outcome of these factors will be able to acquire an intrinsic value, or natural relation will eliminate in few years. Experts have indicated that culture plays a significant role in the creation of any architectural icon, as it facilitates the specific place in expressing its cultural identity to other parts of the globe. In this regard, it is very essential for an architect to relate with the historical architectural icons, in order to continue the relation according to some experts. On the other hand, some other experts argue that it is not essential to relate with historical architectural icons, and a new manifestation can fulfill the same cultural purpose as well. One of the similarities between historical architecture and the modern architecture is materiality. Although technology has been able to change the form of materials; however, the same mother earth is used by the humans presently that was used by the historical architects in the past. In this regard, it is likely that new architectural icons will be able to continue the intrinsic value with them. Another study was carried out to examine the architectural development since 300 years, and it was observed that humans have always tried to advance in terms of developing new materials; however, such endeavors have often resulted in the deterioration of environmental issues. According to some studies, new technologies has not been able to bring a drastic change in human perspectives related to architectural designs, which is not a popular notion due to its rejection by the majority. Some of the experts have noted that the difference between historical architectural icons and contemporary architecture can be related with the difference of technique and technology. (Colquhoun, pp. 23-25, 2002) In addition, this relative difference will facilitate us in understanding the prospects of intrinsic value by new architectural icons in a better manner. In specific, scientific study and implication of a subject is referred as technology, and such implication has been observed in different parts of the globe, especially the Western countries after the industrial revolution. Such implication brought mathematical, as well as, engineering studies that became the part of contemporary architecture. By the introduction of technology, man was able to create the design on a test ground rather than on actual place with the help of mathematical and scientific calculations. On the other hand, technology has largely been related with experimentation, rather than calculation. (Vidler, pp. 19-20, 2002) Moreover, unscientific information can be associated with technique in contrast to technology. In this regard, some of the professionals have indicated that new architectural icons are being built with the help of scientific knowledge and calculations, and thus, it will be more up to the required environmental standards. Moreover, it is specified that scientific calculations allow humans to distribute the available resources in a balanced and constructive manner. On the other hand, it is argued that technology has made man fierce and passionate, and thus, all the steps are being taken by architects to try out everything that has not been tried in the past due to efficient tool of technology. (Wright, pp. 63-67, 2008) Such passionate ambition to reach the sky limits by any means can be the cause of reduction of intrinsic value that is still visible in historical architectural icons. Another significant notion that can facilitate in better judging of new architectural icons is the relation of aesthetic and environmental desires. Presently, three groups of architects have been observed in which, one of the groups favors aesthetic desires, and the other favors environmental requisites. On the other hand, the third group has been neutral, trying to combine the two perspectives in a collective manner. It is very important to analyze this notion, in order to predict the prospects of new architectural icons. It is observed that as the humans have advanced technologically, a modification is observed in the meaning of intrinsic value that is the focus of this paper. According to one school of thought, intrinsic value has been related with aesthetics, and it is specified that something that embraces aesthetic experiences, and provides a platform to experience the same, then it has kept carrying the intrinsic value in defining cities in a similar manner like historical architectural icons. In contrast, the other school of thought has related environmental sustainability with intrinsic value, and it believes that it is essential to build an architectural design while maintaining the sustainability of the surroundings and environment. In this regard, new architectural icons are being built by considering the two schools of thought; however, meaning of intrinsic value plays the crucial role in deciding whether these architectural icons will keep carrying the intrinsic value in defining cities. (Swirnoff, pp. 59-62, 2000) Specifically, cities are composed of people, and a particular city denotes a specific culture of humans. In this regard, aesthetic school of thought has connected cities and places with people and individuals to justify their point of aesthetic experience. On the other hand, opponents of such justification have argued that cities cannot be maintained by ignoring the environmental resources and surroundings, and thus, it is very imperative that new architectural designs should be created with such consideration. Such school of thought has given rise to the term ‘environmental architecture’. (Filler, pp. 45-47, 2007) According to them, an architectural icon considering environmental issues and environmental-friendly will automatically provide an aesthetic experience to the people. (Hagan, pp. 5-6, 2001) In this regard, different arguments have continued regarding the prospects of new architectural icons in debate of their intrinsic value. According to some of the experts, both notions can be placed besides each other, and even if someone decides to approve one school of thought, then he/she will have to consider the other school of thought as well due to their strong relation with each other. Now the paper will discuss the viewpoints of the third group that is not on the either side. According to this group, intrinsic value can be achieved by new architectural icons, if they will be created on the notion of sustainability. This group has not limited their perspective of sustainability to environment; however, it has been linked with economy, physical features, culture, and human values. According to such group, it is very important for an architectural icon to achieve economic sustainability, as intrinsic value will be useless in absence of maintained economy. In addition, this group has signified the importance of culture that plays the vital role in defining the cities, as well as, the individuals residing in it. (Treib, pp. 40-42, 1997) Culture has been the core point of their notion, as culture completes humans, and thus, natural definition of cities will be maintained by cultural sustainability. (Lillyman, pp. 67-68, 1994) Lastly, environmental sustainability and aesthetical sustainability are also imperative from the point of view the third group of modern architects. Until now, the paper has discussed and analyzed different aspects of modern architects that will facilitate in effective decision-making related to new architectural icons and their intrinsic value. It is observed that such notions and arguments have been included in modern architectural curriculum, which will equip the new architects to help keeping the intrinsic value that was kept by historical architectural icons in defining our cities. In specific, some of the significant issues that are being addressed are environmental and economic stability, solar geometry, and materiality. (Hagan, pp. 9-11, 2001) Historically, factor of availability used to decide the choices that were made for the utilization of materials. However, contemporary architects are considering the already-discussed factors to carry out the selection process of materials. In this way, it can be noted that decision-making process of new architects are being influenced by environmental factors at a greater extent, and thus, it is believed that the new architectural icons will be able to carry the intrinsic value in defining cities. Conclusively, the paper has discussed some of the significant aspects of new architectural icons and contemporary architects. It is hoped that the paper will be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. References Alan Colquhoun. (2002). Modern Architecture. Oxford University Press. Anthony Vidler. (2002). Warped Space: Art, Architecture, and Anxiety in Modern Culture. MIT Press. Edward R. Ford. (2004). the Details of Modern Architecture. MIT Press. Frank Ching. (2007). Architecture. John Wiley and Sons. Frank Lloyd Wright. (2008). Modern Architecture. Princeton University Press. Lois Swirnoff. (2000). the Color of Cities. University of Michigan Press. Marc Treib. (1997). Modern Landscape Architecture. MIT Press. Martin Filler. (2007). Makers of Modern Architecture. New York Review Books. Susannah Hagan. (2001). Taking Shape. Architectural Press. William J. Lillyman. (1994). Critical Architecture and Contemporary Culture. Oxford University Press. Read More