Human beings are the only species responsible for making some of the most fascinating buildings and also destroying them. We are the pinnacle of evolution on Earth, and over thousands of years, we have been building nations and killing them. In the midst of all this, some relics from the old days are still visible around the world. These are mainly in the form of objects, ornaments and architecture. Furthermore, these beautiful and antique materials of the past symbolise human perfection, which humans admired regardless of the timescale. However, at present, when you look, it’s hard to find beautiful architecture—long gone are the days when people were excited about the buildings. So, what really happened, and why don’t we see much beautiful infrastructure around us anymore? Moreover, let’s see how beauty can shape the primitive and tribal human mind for the better, which ultimately gives hope for the future.
The Need for Beautiful Architecture
What difference does it make whether the building or infrastructure is artful or mundane? In reality, it doesn’t make much difference; both types can sustain themselves for a similar duration. However, there’s one thing that can change your perspective. Each year, millions of people travel to nations with a heritage in Europe to see the relics of the past. Now, come back to the present. What heritage are we leaving for the future? Regardless of our actions and beliefs, we are not leaving art that the future can inherit or cherish. And this is the main reason we need better art, and it all starts with building beautiful stuff.
“A profound design process eventually makes the patron, the architect, and every occasional visitor in the building a slightly better human being.”
– Juhani Pallasmaa
Why Architecture?
Buildings are spaces where the hands of art move and the voice of reason echoes. And if those buildings are not inspiring from the outside, they can never be creative for the people inside. That is why it’s crucial for infrastructure to get the attention of people who are going through the day. It gives them a moment to pause, relax and contemplate life. So, when they return to their lives, they are satisfied that whatever they’re doing is worth their blood, sweat and tears.
“Even a brick wants to be something.”
-Louis Kahn
Ability To Build Beautiful Architecture
With the advancement in tools and technologies, the present generation is capable of building marvellous projects. Still, in the majority of places, it is not the case. All due respect to people in engineering and related projects, the infrastructure is made to be more efficient and long-term rather than beautiful. And it’s not that things can’t be attractive, but it takes more time and effort to achieve the same thing when you try to make it breathtaking. But, the designers and architecture planners of the world, there is nothing wrong with putting some beauty in the work you’re producing. Since it will only lead to your appreciation while inspiring other people around the world
“A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright
Where did we lose?
Human civilisation is at a stage where we’re producing more infrastructure than our ancestors. However, we don’t try to make it beautiful since there is a lot of work and short deadlines. Nowadays, we want our buildings to function rather than seem beautiful. The same goes for any other creation-related niche like movies, books, songs, and art. That’s why we must put art on a par with efficiency because a time is not far when we don’t have any heritage left.
“God is in the details.”
– Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
The Modern Architecture and What it Lacks?
Modern architecture does its job; it’s big, bulky, with all the necessary features and more. However, that’s it; there is no soul to it. It’s not made to inspire or for creative purposes; it’s just there for efficiency and nothing else. And it’s the reason why people can’t relate to the present and need to spend thousands on vacation in foreign lands. Suppose we have better and beautiful architecture at home. In that case, we don’t need to visit other places (there’s nothing wrong with visiting different places) for inspiration.
“When we build, let us think that we build forever.”
-John Ruskin
The Way Forward Regarding Infrastructure
The future of architecture and beautiful infrastructure is at a place where we need to appreciate beauty more than any other aspect. It’s necessary for us to design and promote work that is not just efficient but also good to look at. Only then are they able to leave a heritage of arts for the future, so that they are inspired as well. Not everything needs to be artistic or creative, but there needs to be something worth living to look at!
“We shape our buildings: thereafter they shape us.”
-Winston Churchill
Final Thoughts: Building Beautiful Architecture
There is plenty of beautiful architecture around the world, but at present, not many things are made to look inspirational. Because of this, society can lose its way since there is no art left around for viewing. As a result, these are the times that lead to the downfall of society since people give up on the stuff that doesn’t look good. It’s like having a bad home that needs attention, but since it’s so bad, you’re not interested in it anymore. The same goes for life and art!