Relationship Between Decoration and Structure in Architecture - Essay Example

Relationship between decoration and structure in architecture Introduction Architecture is a branch of building engineering that encompasses the utilization of technology principles and technology in the design of buildings and constructions. In doing this, architectures consider several factors and values in order to facilitate the construction of sustainable and appropriate structures that are both functional and equally economical. The desire to balance the need for functionality of the structures and the aesthetic features of the structures compel architecture to consider the relationship between decoration and structure in architecture (Hume, 1965). Decoration refers to the process of making a construction aesthetical while structure refers to the basic features of the structures that enhance the usability and effectiveness of the constructions. The need to balance between the two is vital owing to the role and relevance of the two features in the appropriateness of constructions. Architectures must strive to uphold the two while recognizing the variation in the priorities that they must provide each of the two features as portrayed in the discussion below. Among the fundamental structural features, that architectures must consider in the design of a construction is safety. Structural, material and functional honesty is an architectural value that guides the operations of architectures as they design and carry out various constructions. Honesty of a construction refers to the ability of the construction to bear the load without self-destructing since such would endanger the lives of the users. The value dictates that a structure must display its true purpose and not be merely decoration. This implies that the value recognizes the need for constructions to be aesthetical. However, it gives priority to the functionality of structures. Before incorporating various decorative features into a construction, architectures must ensure that the structures are safe and uphold their actual value. In case a decoration is likely to threaten the safety of a construction, the value dictates that the architectures must overlook such decorative measures. Honesty as a design value ensures that designers consider and employ appropriate features that will ensure that a structure is safe and stay functional for the time set during its design. When designing a story building for example, the designers must consider such vital features such as the height of the structure, which as well influences the depth of the foundation especially with appropriate consideration to the stability of the location. The stability of a structure is of vital essence. This compels designers to incorporate every feature in ensuring that a structure is stable and resist the elements of weather such as wind especially in tall structures. However, the need for decorative structures further dictates the design and construction of structures owing to the importance and need to construct aesthetic structure. The height for example is a vital aesthetic feature of building. This dictates that as the designers develop a plan for a safe and secure structure, they must consider features that will enhance the stability of the structures while recognizing the need for the structure to be both unique and aesthetic. Material honesty as part of the design value discussed above dictates that designers must always consider the use of effective materials. The choice of the material used in the construction relies on the ability of the material to secure the structure and enhance its stability. Different construction materials have different values and are therefore appropriate for particular functions in the construction process. Architectures must therefore consider the materials they use appropriately in order to develop a structure that will uphold its functionality. Steel, one of the strongest material used in construction has several values in the construction process. However, the material is heavy and may often threaten the stability of a construction. Architectures must therefore always consider different ways of using such materials in order to uphold the functionality of the structures (NESBITT, 1996). The value discussed above just like any other design value provides more importance to the safety and sustainability of the structures. However, they also recognize the need to a structure to remain both beautiful and sustainable. Every material has a particular aesthetic and security value that designers must consider. Both the appropriateness of the structure and the aesthetic features of the material therefore influence the choice of a material. Some materials promise both cost effectiveness and aesthetics on the design of a building. Most modern day skyscrapers have aluminum composite walls. The materials are light and therefore contribute to the stability of the structures since they minimize the weight of structures a problem that arises from the use of bricks in constructing walls. Additionally, the panels are translucent and therefore minimize the cost of maintaining such buildings. Besides the usability and cost effectiveness of the aluminum composite panels, the panels are beautiful thereby contributing to the development of beautiful and decorative modern day skyscrapers. Such materials thus have higher value since they offer improved value to the construction process (Brolin, 2000). The weight of a wall for example makes a structure less stable and more susceptible to the elements of nature especially in tall structures such the modern day skyscrapers. A heavy wall for example makes a tall building less stable especially during earthquakes. The use of the aluminum panels offer a realistic solution to the risks presented by block by reducing the weight of the walls thereby increasing the stability of the structures. Additionally, the composite panels are more cost effective since they minimize the need to use electricity to light the buildings. The panels permit the natural light to infiltrate the walls thereby sustaining the use of natural light. Coupled with the ability to vary the colors and intensity of the panels while still retaining their quality and value makes the materials more appropriate in constructions than many others including bricks owing to the fact that they promise both aesthetic functionality values as discussed above. The development of such movements as the expressionism and Avant-garde portray the need for artistic aspects and self-expression in the design of structures. As a design value, self-expression provides permits designers to infuse their artistic prowess in the process of designing structures. Designers just like any other artist enjoy liberty to relate to abstract forms and express their feelings and intuition. This underscores the importance of decoration in the process of designing and constructing structures (KAUFMANN, 1955). Artistic expression motivates architectures to manipulate and vary the different artistic features thereby ensuring the design of a unique structure. Uniqueness is a design principle that motivates designers and architectures just as any other artists to develop natural prototypes. The development of such buildings as the empire state building in New York and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai proves the artistic nature of the design guided by the need to maintain the honesty of the structures. The tall buildings uphold safety as a basic value and use their heights among other natural features to ensure that they are beautiful. As explained earlier, decoration refers to the art of beautifying a structure, in architecture decoration comes naturally both as a fundamental principle that influences the design process and as a finishing process. The design should have some aesthetic value just as discussed above. Additionally, after designing and constructing the structure, it becomes vital to beautify the structure in order to increase its usability and value. Interior design is a fundamental aspect of decoration that compels designers to consider different features of the structure in order to increase the usability of the building. However, just as discussed above designers must consider the appropriateness of the material they use in decorating both the interior and exterior of the building in order to strengthen the usability and safety of the building. Such features of the building as the ceiling, doors, windows, lighting and the painting are fundamental features of a building that contribute to the beauty of the building (Heynen, 2004). However, designers must consider the usability and appropriateness of the material they select when developing such. Such material as timber is a preference in the construction of both the ceiling and doors in most building. However, the designers must consider both the decorative features of the materials and the security features they offer. The weight of the entire building as discussed earlier is a vital security feature that designers must consider. This influences their use of the wood. Cork and even steel among many other materials that designers may consider in the construction of windows doors and thee ceiling among other exterior and interior features of the house. Paint is yet another important aesthetic feature of design. Just as with the many other features, designers must consider the type of paint to use in order to minimize the weight of the structure and the safety of the entire building (SILVESTRIN, 1999), oil paints for example sustain the spread of fires; designers must therefore consider such security features when decorating buildings. This implies that while decoration is a vital aspect of architecture, the designers must provide adequate considerations to the safety and functionality of the buildings before making any decision on the type of decorating materials to use. Other vital design values that influence the factors to consider in decorating and designing structures include time and regionalism among many others. The need to remain original and equally functional is a fundamental feature that influences the design of structures. Different times, have varying cultural features and intellectual expertise that may influence the both the safety and decoration of buildings among other types of constructions. Designers therefore consider such factors when making such vital decisions as the height and size of structures in order to uphold the security and suitability of the construction materials. The use of steel, aluminum composite panels and cork among other contemporary construction materials has influenced the types of buildings in the modern society. Additionally, the increase in expertise in structural engineering has influenced the construction of modern day skyscrapers in which architecture ensure that they consider the safety and aesthetic features of similar structures in order to develop functional structures. Safety overweighs aesthetics in design; architectures must therefore consider such features as the size and depth of the foundation, the shape of the structure and its height among other vital features that contribute to the safety of structures. In doing this, architectures consider the fact that such vital factors further contribute to the beauty thus decorative features of buildings. The balance between decoration and structure in architecture thus remains precarious since the two complement each other and contribute to the usability of the building. In a summary, decoration and structure are two interrelated concepts. Architectures consider the need to develop aesthetic buildings while in the same sense considering structural factors that will enhance the security and sustainability of the buildings. However, the need for structural and functional honesty outweighs the decorative features in a structure. The principle thus permits architectures to overlook the decorative features of a house in case they threaten the safety and stability of a building (WHITELEY, 1993). Decoration makes a building among other constructions functional. From such simple features as the variation of paint in the structure to such complex features as the size and shape of the building, aesthetic remains a vital design feature that motivates architects to design unique and functional features. However, while considering such valuable aesthetic features in construction, designers must uphold the safety and functionality of a building. Every aesthetic feature in a building for example should contribute to the usability of the structure. This requirement thus influences the type of materials used in decorating buildings and the extent of aesthetic value when designing and constructing structures. References Brolin, B. C. (2000). Architectural ornament: banishment and return. New York: Norton. Heynen, H. (2004). Avant-garde. Encyclopedia of 20th-century architecture. R. S. Sennott. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn. Hume, D. (1965). Of the standard of taste: and other essays. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company. KAUFMANN, E. (1955). Architecture in the age of reason; baroque and post baroque in England, Italy, and France. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. NESBITT, K. (1996). Theorizing a new agenda for architecture: an anthology of architectural theory 1965-1995. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. SILVESTRIN, C. (1999). Royal Academy and AD International Forum, Something or Nothing: Minimalism in Art and Architecture 8. IN TOY, M. (Ed.) Aspects of minimal architecture II. London: Academy Editions. WHITELEY, N. (1993). Design for society. London: Reaktion Books. Read More