Architecture course is not a course that is grand or superb. I rather believe that it is a process of learning. It is not about destination, but also about journey. Maybe i am not rich man one day in the future, maybe not even an architect, but at least i am now learning on the way.
What is architecture?
This seems more to be a boring question that has been asked again and again to architecture students, but the answers to it would be variable with great versatility.
Architecture, runs parallel with time.
Architecture is always a reflection ot the times. It draws its inspiration from social trends, technology innovation, and arts forms. It can be said as the product of the particular period of time because it shows how people live during the period of time. According to dictionary, the term "architecture" is interpreted as the style or manner of building in a particular country or period of history. Long long time ago, humans believed in god and they built giant scaled buildings like pyramids merely to serve their god or religious purpose. When people were heading to greater civilization with more awareness and confidence of man ability, dependence on industrialization and modernization, as well as the wider global connection, the term "architecture" is being enriched and interrelated. Buildings are no more served for dwelling and religious purpose, but stands on this earth for memorial, services, entertaiment, or even with mobility, etc. Life is no longer dull and simple, so as buildings. As long as the bulding is still standing, it can tell the story of its period, because it reveals identity.
Architecture, the body contains of solidity and abstract.
The art and science of bulding, including its planning, making and decoration. This explaination is undoubtedly correct, yet not thoroughly correct. Because, it is not only about building, built by masses of masonry, stones, steel or glass. Building itself is not enough to define architecture, but the quality of space. The space may not be defined by solid materials, or may not be covered, but it has the quality and spirit within. It can either be as simple as a mound of soil, or complex with de-con styled irregular masses. This depends on how people define it sincerely and properly. For an instance, passing by a mound of soil with few rocks or a bar of wood on top, your awareness makes you to feel respect to it, and tells you the possibility that it may be a grave. Fundamentally, the Holy Grail of architecture is to create somewhere spiritual to evoke awareness nicely and properly. That somewhere can be standing permanently, by giving a break or gap to the continuity of time. Because the moment of the "gap" is spent to aware of the quality of space.
Architecture, is by human, for human.
Architecture, is about life, our life. As i said for times, it is not only about buldings. Or, maybe i can say in other mean. A building is not only a product of architecture and a piece of arts, but it must be combined also with humanities by taking considerations of ALL about humans. Proportion, height, materials, functions, etc are all considered based o human needs and comfort. In hospital, bright and well-ventilated room is needed;lounge should not be too low; ramp in front of entrance is a must for the disabled; drops should be avoided for flat interior, etc. Into more details, for example an ancient castle for fortification, the spiral staircase of guard tower was built according to clockwise direction so that enermies who want to attack upwards could not attack nicely due to the inconvenience of central mass that block their right hand movement (most of the people use their right hand to hold weapons).
So, consideration should be taken based on human, but perfection can be only achieved when architecture for human and environment is compromised. A good architecture can only be achieved with firm conviction, sincerity, faith and of course knowledge. Architects should work and bear the responsibility, role and true calling to create a place for human with functions, safety and comfort, that should be able to co-exist with environment. Architecture needs passion and enthusiasm to challenge its peak. So do other courses, of course.
