Architecture is all around us, from small towns to the biggest cities, and learning how to appreciate architecture can be a very enriching experience. However, this might sound simply too complicated, especially for those without an education in arts or design. It doesn’t have to be this way, though, and architecture, more than alienating and excluding, must be the opposite. After all, people should be able to connect with buildings and spaces around them. This is how you can learn to appreciate architecture and enjoy it.
Embrace Architecture as a Whole
One common mistake that many people tend to make is assuming that architecture only refers to cathedrals, museums, government buildings, and historical landmarks. Therefore, in order to learn how to appreciate architecture, we need to understand this term as a whole. From office buildings to residences, apartment complexes, and corporate facilities, architecture is everywhere we look.
Find the Purpose of Buildings
After we start seeing architecture as a whole, we can start looking for the purpose of buildings. In order to appreciate architecture, we need to think about the purpose of buildings and questioning how well are they working. Thinking about what is the primary job of a building and what additional touch it adds is essential. Remember to think about light, materials, proportions, textures, and the scale of buildings when doing this.
Bring Your Emotions and Tune Them In
An essential part of learning how to appreciate architecture is by bringing your emotions to the table. Thinking about how a building can affect your mood, what you like and what you dislike about them is quite important. Even when it might sound weird, buildings can have a different emotional impact depending on the person. Pay attention to your emotions when you walk into an office building, a museum, or a library.
Look for Transcendent Designs
We can now understand that great examples of architecture are those that achieve their main purpose while having an emotional impact on those who come into contact with it. Therefore, when learning to appreciate architecture, we must pay attention to buildings that are examples of great architecture and those which are simply not. In order to do this, try to consider the impact of buildings in the long run. Ask yourself how will people feel about a given building in 50 years from now, for example.
Look for Complete Designs, Too
Lastly, looking for complete designs is another important part of our journey when learning how to appreciate architecture. More often than we may think, we are likely to come across office buildings and residencies that do not seem to be complete. It might be tricky, but when you look at the front and the back of a building, you could see what we mean. Finding examples of complete architecture can be a fun way to appreciate architecture without having to become a connoisseur.
