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| Evolving Architecture |
The science of planning, designing and constructing structures be it physical or otherwise (as in software) has come to be recognized as “Architecture”.
To remain congruent, we restrict our scope of the word to constructing buildings and structures. It includes the following:
The basic premise of architecture has always been to make any place fit for human habitation which may include things not directly involved with day-to-day living but which never-the-less aids in the same to a large extent like dams, roads, airports etc.
Till about 500 years in the past, the science of architecture was more to do with creating structures for the wealthy and the powerful be they Kings, Chieftans or the likes with the majority living off the land in subsistence form. This is reflected in the various architectural sites dug-up all around us be it in India or outside. It was more to do with power projection than utility.
In the west, it was Rome with its democratice set-up around 500 BC which for the first time built structures keeping in mind the entire population instead of a few.
In the present times, with everything of material value either being in short supply or being available with conflicting interests, the goal of any architectural endeavors is to design and construct space and ambience to reflect functional, technical, social, environmental and aesthetic considerations. One can no longer be a lone ranger and needs to work within specific limits laid down by law.
One entity who seems to defy this order of aggradisement is the great Maratha King, Shivaji Raje Bhosale. True to his “Jaanta Raja” image, he lived amongst his people as one of them instead of being one above them. His forts (mind you not palalces as was the wont of his contemporaries all over the world then!) strategically inaccessible as they were, were rather democratic with facilities being made available without exception to all those who stayed there.
Architects in Pune seem to take it from this one great institution in that there exist architects like Soverign Architects who not only cater to the high and might but also those who aim mighty high.
To remain congruent, we restrict our scope of the word to constructing buildings and structures. It includes the following:
- The art and science of designing, and constructing structures be they buildings or things of utility. IT may vary from structures on a macro level like urban design, landscape architecture etc., to things on a micro-level like detailing interiors of a room.
- Styling these construction to reflect their uniqueness.
The basic premise of architecture has always been to make any place fit for human habitation which may include things not directly involved with day-to-day living but which never-the-less aids in the same to a large extent like dams, roads, airports etc.
Till about 500 years in the past, the science of architecture was more to do with creating structures for the wealthy and the powerful be they Kings, Chieftans or the likes with the majority living off the land in subsistence form. This is reflected in the various architectural sites dug-up all around us be it in India or outside. It was more to do with power projection than utility.
In the west, it was Rome with its democratice set-up around 500 BC which for the first time built structures keeping in mind the entire population instead of a few.
In the present times, with everything of material value either being in short supply or being available with conflicting interests, the goal of any architectural endeavors is to design and construct space and ambience to reflect functional, technical, social, environmental and aesthetic considerations. One can no longer be a lone ranger and needs to work within specific limits laid down by law.
One entity who seems to defy this order of aggradisement is the great Maratha King, Shivaji Raje Bhosale. True to his “Jaanta Raja” image, he lived amongst his people as one of them instead of being one above them. His forts (mind you not palalces as was the wont of his contemporaries all over the world then!) strategically inaccessible as they were, were rather democratic with facilities being made available without exception to all those who stayed there.
Architects in Pune seem to take it from this one great institution in that there exist architects like Soverign Architects who not only cater to the high and might but also those who aim mighty high.
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About Author :- Vaishali Kawalkar is the head of Sovereign Architects.
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