Meaning : an examination of the relationship between meaning and architectural language

Abstract

What is Architecture? It is proper to identify architecture with beautiful buildings and non architecture with an ugly building? That architecture is beautiful building and non architecture is ugly building does not explain anything, because 'ugly' and 'beautiful' are relative terms. The most exact definition of architecture that can be given today is that which tkes in to the account "spatial quality" created. Good architecture would then be architecture in which the space attracts us, elevates us and dominates us spiritually, The good architectural space should attracts us, dominates us, spiritually, and elevates us. Therefore "it never simply exists, it also communicates, it has content, it has meanings, it convey messages"(1)(Stanely Abercrombie-Architecture as Art) A work of architecture conveys many levels of meanings. In the creation of architecture, the architect responds to the generators of his choice. The more the architecture responds to them, in the correct manner, the higher the level of complexity generated in Architecture. So, different levels of meanings generated in Architecture. But good work of Architecture communicates these different levels of meanings allowing for different interpretations, without loosing unitary identity. In essence, architecture represents a form of communication, like language. Architects employ; Architectural language to communicate the particular meaning required by him. The degree of mastery in using the architectural language leads to the clarity and subtly of different levels of meanings.