Architecture of the moment : an examination of the relationship between problem and the solution in architecture

Abstract

Any work of Art is expected to convey some kind of a message; a message that is useful for the human kind. Thus all Arts are expected to be expressive and meaningful other than merely being beautiful. A message implies existence of a theme; a theme evolved based on an issue. Meaning in a work of Art is determined based on the meaningfulness of the message conveyed. A message to be meaningful, it should evolved based on a meaningful issue. Correctness and relevance of the issue for the realistic situation and its contribution towards the benefit of mankind is one way of determining the "meaningfulness" of any work of Art. Architecture is an Art. But it also not an Art...... ; It is far more beyond than that. In that sense it is a utilitarian Art that has a utilitarian value, apart from the artistic value. Any work of architecture is evolved due to a 'need', a need to in-house some kind of a human activity. Thus, to be meaningful, any work of architecture should necessarily facilitate this function. It should provide the correct kind of atmosphere to in-house and facilitate the intended function. Apart from that, like any Art any work of architecture is expected to be expressive. Thus it is expected to evolve based on an 'issue'. Issues with relevant to a work of architecture is termed here as problems. Thus correctness and relevance of the problem, and its contribution towards benefit of human kind. (Users of the building) makes a work of architecture meaningful as an Art. In most of the buildings today, it is found that quantitative requirements of the utilitarian aspect are found to be fairly successfully achieved. But artistic aspect and qualitative requirements thus evolved are found to be more or less ignored. This has affected badly on products and has made them 'incorrect' to perform the intended function, Further it has degraded the value of architecture as a "utilitarian art". This has given rise to a critical crisis called 'Alienation in architecture', where buildings have become 'not fit' for its users, places and functions. The reason is found as ill consideration paid on real needs or real problems allied with different architecture situations. Such ill consideration paid on real needs-problems of people, context and function have made buildings lifeless, dead enclosures, and not meaningful works of architecture. Several examples studied in this study shows clearly, that a work of architecture can become meaningful in terms of artistic and utilitarian functions and more expressive as an art, if evolved based on "real problems" of the moment. Comparing them with other buildings, thus the study is aimed at revealing "how and why a product could become more meaningful and relevant when "Spurred on" by a vital problem".