Architecture is the art or discipline in which, through different techniques, buildings and monuments can be planned, projected, designed and made. Through it, an organization of the space can be achieved, giving it its full value; it is about giving shape, utility and beauty to the physical environment in order to meet and satisfy certain needs that human beings experience. The person in charge of designing the buildings is called "architect."
What is architecture
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It is understood as the art of planning, capturing, sketching and executing a construction project of the structure of a building. For this, the person who executes the project (architect) takes into account the environment, the needs, ornamental but functional elements and, above all, the use of spaces. This concept can also be generalized as the modification of any area of the earth's surface, so that it is adequate to meet the needs of man.
This combines a series of knowledge, in which the architect will be able to analyze and meet the requirements and needs of those who require the structure to inhabit it or for the development of various professional, entertainment or other activities.
Through this art, architects express the aesthetic precepts they want to reach in their construction, taking into account the structure of one space within another, with balance towards what is needed, ordering the space in the most efficient way possible. physical where the construction will be carried out in order to take full advantage of it.
In this sense, it is understood that within the world of architecture there must be a fairly close relationship between man's own need for a building, the space intended to do so and the technique used to obtain the best and most aesthetic result, in addition You must take into account the rules necessary for good construction and the traditions on which it is based.
The etymology of the word comes from the Greek arch which means "chief, who is in command" and tekton which means "builder". The history of this word comes from Greece, where its inhabitants called the chief in charge of directing a construction site "architect", which means that they were in charge of carrying out those building construction projects or different structures.
History of architecture
This dates back to the times of prehistoric man, when he had to build his own refuge, which had to be practical, light and easy to transport due to his nomadic lifestyle. However, later when making their settlements, they incorporated more resistant and heavy elements. Similarly, construction began for other purposes, such as religious temples.
Greek architecture
Of the civilizations best known for their architecture were the Greeks, who began to build buildings organized in polis. During Greek architecture, the role of the first urban planner in history was given to Hippodamus of Miletus (498-408 BC), who was the one who created the system of creating streets by arranging them in such a way that they created square blocks, a system that maintains to this day.
Roman architecture
Roman architecture has various characteristics such as the resistance and the extraordinary exterior of the constructions, their rationality and functionality, their intentional gigantic majesty as a term of the empire and supremacy of Rome in front of the conquered populations; basic elements in the construction such as the arch, the dome and the vault, the creation of the portrait in the sculpture, the historical, perennial and descriptive relief.
Mayan architecture
An architectural curiosity are the pyramids, which civilizations such as the Mayans and Egyptians built them as great monuments, without having contact with each other. Mayan architecture, in addition to these great works, stood out for being guided by astronomical positions for its constructions. These architectural works are even preserved to this day, and the techniques used in their construction were similar.
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture, which originated in the 5th century, was a combination of Roman, Greek, Oriental and Hellenistic modalities. It includes some specific characteristics, the central and square silver churches were designed according to the Greek cross and not the ordinary Latin cross that Gothic cathedrals have, the central domes have a great height that rises from a square foot, half-round spikes, clerestory windows and mosaic decorations, columns with middle eastern inspired decorations blocks.
Gothic architecture
Master builders carry out design and construction work, especially in religious structures, since the Catholic Church held power, so Gothic architecture was born in the 12th century, which was characterized by its symmetry, the presence of crooked columns, creation of optical illusions, ceilings, walls, verticality, large amounts of windows and curved lines.
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture, which arrived in the fourteenth century, marked a before and after in this art by being considered as the proper example of fine arts. It was characterized by its search for technical perfection, the presence of horizontality, it sought a total vision of the structure from all points of view inside and a formal beauty.
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture, which was born in the seventeenth century, characterized by its symmetry, unification of architecture and painting, sensation of movement, among others, very similar to Gothic.
Neoclassical architecture
With the advent of the industrial and intellectual revolution, neoclassical architecture arrived in the 19th century, dusting off architectural concepts from ancient Greece. The architect Vitruvius (80-15 BC) in his treatise "On Architecture", has scattered ideas about the principles of this, establishing that the works must have beauty, firmness and utility, and on the other hand order, disposition, proportion and distribution.
The neoclassical is characterized by its simplicity, having greater architectural importance, the presence of columns, domes, vaults and mathematical proportions in all its elements.
Modern architecture
In modern architecture, which arrived in the 19th century, the function and refinement of buildings was given importance rather than ornament, which had been so important to civilizations in previous centuries. Elements with a simple design, with greater importance in function, transparency, linearity and uniqueness. This gave rise to trends such as minimalist architecture, presenting simplicity and few details, simplifying the works.
Contemporary architecture
Contemporary architecture, which arrived in the 1970s, and is preserved to this day, is characterized by its innovation, it is not pigeonholed in the same current or form, it is constantly reinvented, personalized, geometric shapes and symmetry.
Types of architecture
There are three types of architecture according to their functionality, which are the following:
Religious architecture
It is the one in charge of the construction and design of the prayer temples or sanctified cults, as well as mosques, synagogues, churches, stupas and sanctuaries. Various cultures have donated large amounts of money for their religious architecture, which makes their sacred sites and worship areas impressive and durable.
The implementation of iconography, sacred geometry, and the refined semiotic use of symbols, signs, and religious motivations are common in religious architecture.
For centuries the construction of new spaces for the Christian religion began, being at the beginning temples of small spaces of a single piece, which was also used as the seat of the civil government. Depending on the function and its size there are 4 types:
- Hermitages: generally divided by other constructions, it has a four-sided roof and a rectangular plan. The hermitage is a solitary place and separated from the altar of the remaining temple by means of the placement of an arch.
- Churches: due to the increase in population, the old hermitage becomes a great temple. The façade is enlarged, tangent arches are made on both sides of the presbytery, thus making two new altars, the part of the center is extended backwards, giving a shape to the Latin cross plan.
- Chapels: it is usually next to a house of authority, it is small and they are usually square, made with a wooden roof covered with tiles. The façade is made up of a simple carved arch. In some, bell towers are placed, but this is not common.
- Convents: they were built and based on the architecture of the Roman villa, with simple dwellings located on the second floor, the interior setting was specially equipped for the reflection and isolation of the nuns and they used to have murals painted on their faults.
Military architecture
This branch is responsible for the study and execution of works and structures for military purposes. Its main functions are to protect a territory and a people from a threat, such as an invasion, an attack or any type of threat against the well-being of civilians and the military.
In other words, their role is that of defense. This type of structure represents a strong physical barrier, which is designed by architects supported by military engineers to know specific technical details for their purpose, since these designs must be completely different from other types of structures.
This type of structure can be permanent or temporary, depending on its use, but in this type, permanent ones are convenient. To do this, they must be very resistant, both to the enemy and to the weather. Among the main types of military structures are:
- The walls: it is a wall of great size and thickness, whose function is to protect a specific perimeter or territory, enveloping it. The walls are adapted to the relief of the territory where they are and serve as an impediment to the adversaries to pass. They consisted of two parallel walls built in stone and in the middle they were filled with other materials, such as clay and masonry.
Later, the stone was replaced by adobe, a material that allowed greater resistance to impacts. These structures also counted on many occasions by lower levels for the transit of the troops that defended them.
- The fortresses: these have two functions, which are to protect and to welcome a part of the people. Many times, cities grew around them, erecting new walls to protect the settlers and the surrounding territory. In the Middle Ages these were castles. This fortress protects a group of soldiers who defend and protect that place where it is established.
- The towers: these can be defense or lookouts. The defense ones are attached to the walls to avoid a possible direct attack. The lookouts are removed from the city and their objective is to have a broad vision beyond the site they protect, in this way they could warn the rest of the troops of an imminent attack.
Civil architecture
This is the best known, since it is the one that plans, designs and builds common buildings such as hospitals, buildings, houses, schools, shopping centers, among others, for the daily activities of man. In addition to that, it is in charge of street planning under the regulations of the city where they are organized.
This type of construction will vary according to its location, society, culture and also over time. It will use different materials according to the climate and trends, as well as the architectural styles and utility they have, but always obeying the statutes in force at the time of construction.
In civil structures are recreational sites such as theaters, museums, cinemas, shopping centers; public works, such as government buildings, churches; great monuments like arches, columns; among others.
Degree in architecture
To be able to carry out this type of work, it is necessary to take a career in an architecture school, in which the student will receive the basic concepts and tools to apply their knowledge and manifest their talents.
The student of this career must also possess some skills, such as creativity, the sense of aesthetics, drawing, knowing how to work in a team for the effective execution of projects and be very thorough.
In addition to the degree in this art, there are other similar ones such as the degree in Landscape Architecture.
Subjects
In this career there are different subjects that cover various skills that students of the architecture faculty must develop. Among the main subjects that are seen during this race are:
- Town planning.
- Basic and special facilities.
- Architectural drawing.
- Descriptive geometry.
- Landscape design.
- Construction systems.
- Landscape design.
- Construction materials.
- Strength of materials.
- Concrete and steel construction workshops.
- Sustainable projects.
- Quality and productivity in design.
- Models and mockups.
- Structural systems.
- Works budget.
Architects' functions
The functions of a professional architect are multiple, among which the following stand out:
- Create the project from the beginning, for which you must: plan the ideas you have, make a sketch, budget, take into account the technical details, consider the legal codes for its execution and make a presentation for the client who has the requirement.
- Sell your work to potential clients, through a portfolio of previous projects that will serve as a standard for the quality of your work. Also, you should search for new projects; And once you do, you must make proposals, negotiate costs, and enter into the contract.
- On-site supervision of the work on site, once the project is approved. To do this, they must have direct contact with the engineers in charge of the construction and the other workers, to give them guidance on the structure; and at the same time, with the firm's lawyers to verify that the permits are up to date.
- It carries out inspections to the structure, evaluates it and makes the decision of its habitability or if, on the contrary, adjustments must be made.
Work areas
He can practice both in private and public institutions, but can also work independently in his own architectural firm. Among the main positions that can be exercised are the following:
- Architect.
- Director of works.
- Designer of interiors, facilities and structures.
- Scenographer.
- Consultant in various areas such as acoustics, lighting or security.
- Professor in different subjects related to this career.
- Writer for publications on architecture.
- Urban planner.
- Restorer.
- Landscape.
- Designer of different specific structures, such as swimming pools.
