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The Musical Pillars Of The Vittala Temple in Hampi
Image
source: http://www.themysteriousindia.net/singing-pillars-hampi/
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A glance at bunch of flowers on a tree or in a vase brings
in joy but only if one has time for that glance. The joy could be doubled up by
sparing time to experience the fragrance, colours and freshness of those flowers.
The point I am trying to make is that there are so many beautiful things around
we can seek enjoyment by appreciating those.
Travel brings in opportunity to explore many new things such
as places, food, culture, people. ‘Built structures’ is an inseparable part of
this list. I am sure there are many such buildings or structures that you have
visited and you cherish those memories. Those structure have left some impact
on you. Digging dip if you try to find out what is that element that has
contributed to make it a lasting memory in you? May be form of the overall
building or its hugeness, or the intricate carving. It may happen that you are
not able to analyse what is it? You could just feel that you enjoyed being
there so much that even if you are not there physically just by closing your
eyes and recollecting that experience it. You can re-live the joy you had then,
being there in that structure.
Without knowing anything about how to appreciate
architecture many of us have experienced this which I am sure could be enhanced
with little know how of architecture appreciation. It’s a misconception that
only those who have keen eye towards visual art can understand and appreciate
architecture well, ‘taking’ interest is what matters. I believe anyone and everyone
can train themselves to appreciate architecture. One has to make conscious
efforts towards it. I would like to discuss few parameters here regarding it.
‘Built structures’ includes man made buildings for domestic
or commercial purposes as well as structures which are not for human occupancy
such as bridge, dam, tower, gate, stadium, tunnel, underwater habitat,
monuments etc. Structures could never be designed in isolation without any
influence of society. There are many contexts like cultural, historical,
political, climatic, material and technological innovations, current trends
etc. If we understand context broadly the meaning or thought behind the
building design starts unfolding. We understand the reason behind why it is
built the way it has been. Why the openings are small or big, why form is
rectangular or curvy, why those colours and textures and so on. The journey
inside and outside the structure becomes more meaningful!
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Matrimandir Auroville
Image source: https://www.yoninja.com/listing/auroville/
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Lotus temple, Delhi
Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/495888608960839255/
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The beauty of structures lies in proportions. Proportions
are relation of its parts with each other and with the whole structure. Relation
of its length to width and height is proportions. Balanced proportions give
inherent beauty to the structure as well as spaces created. Embellishments like
carving, paintings, textures further compliment this beauty. Keen eye to
smallest details of joinery, materials, finishes makes structure look perfect.
Scale of the structure as well as space is another aspect
which contributes to psychological experience. Scale is the size of structure
compared to human size. Huge scaled structures like Eiffel Tower or Taj Mahal
makes one feel it’s grandeur while small scale structure like a tree house makes
one feel warm and cozy.
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Eiffel Tower
Image source: http://tower-engineer.com
/index_files/Page1040.htm
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Taj Mahal
Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/
The_Taj_Mahal%2CAgra.jpg
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Innovation is another factor which makes us appreciate the
structure more. Innovation could be in any aspect like technology or design philosophy
of the designer or treatment of spaces. Golden gate bridge, musical pillars of
temple of Hampi are examples of innovation in architecture.
To summarize contexts, spaces, proportions, scale, detailing,
innovation are aspects which one can look for to appreciate any built form. I
hope this read helps many of you to seek joy and happiness by appreciating
built forms that you visit next time!
Some useful links:
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