Social & Psychological Impacts of Architecture
Power and desire are unconsciously integral factors to architecture’s design and construction. It is an important component that determines human interaction with a structure and inherently drives individuals to create and design astonishing works. Architecture has an underlying duality- it can inspire power, strength and durability, to the scale of imperialism and monumentalism, as well as inviting cooperation, relaxation and revivification. Whether it be architectural styles or components, power and desire drive individuals to build, dream and create.
In architectural designs, elements such as color, placement and design can influence our beliefs and feelings. Tom L. Smith wrote in his 2005 book “Designing With the Mind in Mind” that the science of psychology, “focuses on the emotions and feelings surrounding the physical environment and the functions that take place in and around the structure”. In other words, our emotions and feelings drive the decision of how to build certain structures, and what components to put in them.
Through centuries, architectures have been crafted to create desirable images and symbols for political, religious and scientific reasons. During the time of Ancient Greece, powers of patronage and generosity translated within the architecture and culture. This can be seen through the Parthenon, an iconic structure of such importance it is known today. The building was used to convey political and religious power, in which Doric columns created a defined and monumental outline for the Gods at its audacity.
Imperialistic structures such as the Taj Mahal, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, although extremely different in design, still held a powerful presence that could unite a nation and remain as symbols to its people. The implementation of architecture such as symbols of representation or independent ideologies, still drive individuals to commemorate their people and create unity. Such was the conception of the Louvre Palace in Paris, in 1672 by Louis XIV, as a symbol of royal identity amongst France.
Powerful architecture can manage to draw people in, particularly seeing as the external appearance of a building invites interaction and encourages discoveries. Allowing people to approach and interpret a building, gives them the ability to influence their feelings of power and desire, offering an equal playing field in human interaction.
In modern infrastructure, users can continuously interpret fascinating designs, exuding celebration, from towering skyscrapers, to local monuments and parks. Evidence of power and desire is still seen today, in architectures that offer excitement, mystery and eclectivism. Such is the case for some of the world’s most recognised structures, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Reichstag in Berlin.
Ritualistic & Geometric Designs
Traditional rituals and geometric concepts are also used as vehicles to create strong psychological feelings within a structures design. These intricate designs provide a strong connection between power and desire through its complexity and shapes in its designs.
In the architecture of first nation’s societies, such as Indigenous Australian cultures and those found in North and South America, structures are crafted to honour sacred rituals. Design elements such as circles, squares and triangles have been used for centuries within the aesthetic design of spiritual structures, used to represent individuals and stories to the world. Such is the case for the Willandra Lakes Horseshoe, a 6 km theatre of sacred stones and ridges used by tribal Australians for millennia.
These constructions comes in the forms of tumuli and kurgans (earthen mounds), which were associated with tombs of their ancestors. These monuments are seen as vessels of power, giving the importance to religious ceremonies, cultural inheritance and maintaining long-standing cultural principles.
The use of geometrical shapes also provide a sense of balance, both spiritually and aesthetically. Balanced designs create central compositions, based off of shape proportions and equations, as seen through Islamic art and architecture. The Heptagon Mosque, located in Isfahan, Iran and constructed in 1611-12, includes such geometrical elements that create a link to power and desire. This is intended to boost human spirituality and encourage followers to receive the power of these inner designs.
Aesthetics & Civic Structures
The aesthetic appreciation of a building can also create a powerful pull on building’s onlookers, as it is seen to evolve over time, with culture and movements. Abstraction is also one of the main factors in architecture, as shapes carry personal interpretations; such as the works of Zaha Hadid. The architect’s use of curved lines, sharp angles and abstract shapes speaks to a large public and draws the public’s attention.
The design of civic structures, such as libraries and plazas, evoke power and desire to the public, allowing users to interact with a setting. Professionals design buildings such as these, with the aim of creating communal gathering places, as well as providing them with an overall sense of power.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, completed in 1972 by John Carl Warnecke, was constructed with the idea of fostering power by giving citizens of the District of Columbia space. It was constructed in such a way that it resembled a castle, full of symbols that reflect strength and power.
The concept of providing citizens and communities with power is also seen in plazas, parks and statues and memorials. Central Park, designed by Frederick Law and Calvert Vaux, provides a communal space for citizens of New York City to relax and imbue their sense of power. This power of gathering and interaction is mirrored through the centralized memorials and statues of renowned city leaders and icons.
Functionality & Energetic Connection
Functionality and energy connection are paramount for powerful structures, as it creates a productive and exciting environment. The energy experienced should be adjusted depending on the scale and size of the building, the climate of the environment and the output of energy needed throughout the structure.
A great example of a triangle model that creates a sense of power is the Chladni plate, an acoustical device used to project sound. The design of the plate forms a triangle, creating a series of exciting and vivid vibrations that has gained scientists distinctive respect.
The focus on energy is also very important in design, particularly when discussing its relationships with people. These relationships are also key to creating a powerful building or monument, as it feels alive and has a strong connection to its people. This is particularly seen in cities like Istanbul, which combine the use of technology and energy with the city’s intrinsic cultural character.
Technology & Sustainability
Throughout the years architecture has been challenged with the use of technology and environmental sustainability. This has pushed professionals to create structures with efficient energy use and new levels of architecture.
The age of modernity brought a surge of technological advancements that changed the game for architects. With the emergence of materials such as glass, reinforced concrete and steel, to the use of computers and laser measurements, construction of power and desire become easier in the realms of understanding.
Assets such as sustainability efforts, green materials and passive energy management, challenge the development of power and desire in architecture. Professionals must strive to build structures that remain in sync within their environments, ultimately preserving the power of the setting.
The “Edificio Mirador”, a high-rise residential tower located in Madrid, Spain, is an exemplar of sustainable design. The building is designed with thin metallic elements, providing an optimal temperature balance between interior and exterior. With this innovative design, the structure has become an icon of power and desire within the city.
Meta & Contextual Design
Lastly, meta and contextual design also push professionals in crafting profound works that connect with their people and land.
Meta designs refer to the understanding of the broader context, integration of public space and current location. This allows architects to entwine their design with the cultural characteristics of a certain area.
The world’s longest bridge, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China, embraces this idea. This 164.8 km long structure aligns with the Yangtze River Delta topography, creating an immersive experience for observers. What makes this bridge so iconic is its ability to connect passengers with the surrounding environment.
Contextual design also plays a huge part in infusing structural power and desire. This type of design communicates its surroundings, creating a mix of tension and also harmony with existing structures. The Masjid al-Haram Mosque situated in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is a great example of balanced architecture, providing harmony and balance, reflecting power and desire.
The mosque towers over the Kaaba, a square shaped building, with a golden girdle running around the top and middle. The design of the mosque mirrors that of the Kaaba, creating a unified structure and sense of power.
Ephemeral Experiences & Connectivity
The ephemeral experience that comes with architecture is a vital role in its power to project desire. Ephemeral experience can come in the forms of both visual, tactile and atmospheric stimulation and a feeling of strong connection within a structure or monument.
The deep collaboration of light, shadows and reflections can create extraordinary moments within a user’s experience. These 3 components offer users a powerful experience of the structure, making it even more memorable. Examples include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the City of Arts and Sciences and the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Connectivity is also a precious ingredient in creating powerful and desirable architecture. This can be seen through memorable stories and works such as the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, the AIDS Memorial in Hudson River Park and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Through such works, authority and respect was created, as users were allowed to connect and interact with a structure that fuelled power and desire.
Conclusion & Relations
Relationships can also play a big part in powerful architecture, as the cooperation of elements, such as technology, geometrical shapes and aesthetics, create a powerful message that drives people. Pioneers such as Zaha Hadid allowed for curved lines and symmetry to reach a broader audience, changing the fundamentals of modern architecture and also connecting with wider communities.
Through emotion, aesthetics and functionality, architecture is crafted to incite power and desire. It is a vehicle for success, humbling us to the parts of the world that crafted them, and pushing us to create something equally powerful in the future.
Whether it be the inception of a single building or the expansion of an entire city, the appreciation of architecture illuminates the power and desire of those who created them, all of whom know the weight of their legacy upon countries and its people.
