Studying architectural history is of utmost significance to students aspiring to become architects. Architectural history denotes the study of architecture as it changed through various cultures and landscapes and across multiple decades. Such knowledge goes a long way in helping students understand and appreciate the craft and comprehend the milestones achieved over time. Architectural history provides a solid platform for learners to improve and innovate in a new era. It permits sustainability, especially in an environmentally conscious world. A discourse in architectural history imparts background knowledge for the profession, offers a collection of essential case studies, and gives inspiration for current projects.
Architectural history essentially gives background information for the profession. New architects and students understand the subject better by learning its history. Architectural history offers insight into the pioneers and their inspirations that can motivate aspiring architects. A correct comprehension of architectural history enables new architects to preserve the values espoused in the profession and even take it to higher, respectable levels (Sabatino 53). Figure one below shows architects’ blending of old and new building designs to create a beautiful mix of the two worlds. New entrants understand that architecture is more than a desire to make a living but critically safeguards cultures, attracts tourists, protects lives and the environment, and leaves a legacy that lasts centuries. By reckoning how past architects made a name for themselves, they also set out to leave an indelible mark in the profession.
Undoubtedly, architectural history is a valuable source of inspiration for today’s architects. Innovation in architecture mainly occurs via incremental enhancements of existing works (Hogle 429). Thus, architectural history resembles art history in many respects. In art, there are vast differences between cave paintings and contemporary realism paintings. Equally, there is a world of variation in architecture between the Pyramids in Egypt and the Burj Khalifa. Even though the pyramids remain a remarkable sight, they inspire the development of impressive modern buildings in subsequent cultures, like the Burj Khalifa seen in figure two below. Hence, architects often expand on existing structures and draw inspiration from various elements from the past to develop new and compelling buildings.
Furthermore, architectural history avails a collection of case studies that enrich the profession. For example, case studies highlight past successes, failures, strengths, and flaws for future generations to heed in their endeavors. Studying the past illustrates the errors that others made in their designs and helps architects design projects that are safe for humanity. Hence, students can learn a lot by sampling the case studies found in studying architectural history. Some of the case studies also depict the importance of culture in developing designs. Buildings reveal much concerning the societies that produced them (Özgüleş 277). For instance, in gothic times, the tallest buildings were cathedrals, showing that religion was supreme and dictated the society. In today’s world, office buildings are among the most elevated, indicating the value of commerce in the contemporary world. Developments in modern medicine also featured the emergence of buildings with more oversized windows that permit the flow of fresh air and natural daylight, as seen in figure three below. The basement floors that tend to be damp became more of packing spaces to avoid respiratory ailments in a more health-conscious world.
Architecture remains the soul of civilizations, and studying its history preserves its quality and profoundly defines architects. The discourse is a source of awe, insatiable wonder, and inspiration for generations. They spark creativity and speak more about people than historical books can. Its study should be primary for aspiring architects as it shapes their minds through various case studies and activates their innovative tendencies. Architectural history remains indispensable to sustain quality in the profession and develop talent that will take practice to new heights.
Works Cited
Hogle, Jerrold E. “Dale Townshend, Gothic Antiquity: History, Romance, and the Architectural Imagination, 1760-1840.” Wordsworth Circle, vol. 51, no. 4, 2020, p. 429. EBSCOhost, Web.
Özgüleş, Muzaffer, et al. “Exploring Student Perceptions and Experiences of Different Teaching and Learning Approaches in Architectural History Education: A Comparative Case Study.” Learning Environments Research, vol. 24, no. 2, 2021, pp. 269–97. EBSCOhost, Web.
Sabatino, MichelAngelo. “Turn Back the Clock.” Architectural Record, vol. 210, no. 3, 2022, pp. 52–54. EBSCOhost, Web.