Essay Alexandra Alvarez ID: 20029843
Architecture and its Aspects "The image of the architect as a singular hero is stubbornly persistent one"1 wrote the English writer Harriet Harriss in her book "Architects After Architecture: Alternative Paths to Practice". The history of architecture explores many expressions of the human being. From the time of the Göbekli Tepe to the current buildings, which are part of our culture. It can be difficult to identify the birth of modern architecture. However, “the architect Louis Sullivan, who designed the buildings for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, became the foundation of modern architects” 2. “At its roots, architecture exists to create the physical environment in which people live. However, architecture is more than just the built environment, it is also part of our culture. It is a representation of how we see ourselves, as well as how we see the world ”.3
For some people, the most important aspect of architecture is what is on the inside, even though this is true, others might consider that architecture is often built around those who inhabit the interior. “It has the ability to affect and influence our emotions and perceptions through factors such as space, light and geometry, even the same materials that are used in its construction”. In addition," it is not just an instinctive feeling either. Scientists have shown that certain cells in the hippocampus region of our brain are attuned to the places and spaces we inhabit ".4
Architecture arose at the beginning of time, when human beings tried to protect themselves from the weather and predators by building shelters. On the other hand, it can be said that architecture and its history can be related to art such as Roman architecture, although it is not the oldest architecture, it is the best persevered. In general, the history of architecture has as many years as the history of humanity, also similar in complexity, one could say that the exact origin of the architecture dates to the Neolithic period, or simply when people stopped living in caves. "The history of architecture has proven to be many things: comfortable, elegant, modern, brutal, indexed, vernacular, and yet one of its most interesting aspects is its ability to reflect the spirit of the time. Its parallels with human history are justified by its strong material presence that serves as the best physical evidence of social change ”.5
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Harriss Harriet, Architects after architecture, 2021, page.8. Lauren Thomann, The Spruce, updated 12/18/20. Available in: https://www.thespruce.com/modernarchitecture4797910#:~:text=Modern%20architecture%20is%20a%20style,usually%20involves%20sharp%2C% 20clean%20lines Accessed: 25/05/21 3 George Vangelatos, HMC Architects. Available in: https://hmcarchitects.com/news/how-does-architectureimpact-society-a-high-level-look-2019-10-18/ Accessed: 25/05/21 4 InterFocus, The Science of Architecture: How Design Affects the Way We Feel. Available in: https://www.mynewlab.com/blog/the-science-of-architecture-how-design-affects-the-way-we-feel/ Accessed: 25/05/21 5 Aquitectura Pura. Available in: https://www.arquitecturapura.com/la-historia-de-laarquitectura/#:~:text=La%20historia%20de%20la%20arquitectura%20comienza%20en%20la%20prehistoria%2 C%20m%C3%A1s,el%20arte%20de%20la%20canter%C3%ADa. Accessed: 25/05/21 2
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