Architecture as Cultural Text and Individual Experience
Architecture is an integral part of a country’s and society’s culture. However, it often stands at the intersection between art and politics. While reflecting social trends and attitudes and appealing to individual and collective experience, architecture is, at the same time, a method of control often used by authorities. Due to their universality in terms of impact on communities and individuals, the functions and meanings of buildings in society can change, reflecting the historical trends of a specific period.
The proposed reading by Thomas A. Markus analyzes the relationship between architecture, cultural trends, political dynamics, and social transformations. The author considers the building as a text that carries a specific meaning for people. Moreover, this meaning is most often individual or characteristic of people of a particular community. Explaining his position, the author emphasizes that people’s general ideas about buildings as structures made of concrete or wood often overlap with their individual experiences. Consequently, when visiting public places, such as banks or hospitals, and world-class attractions, people experience different sensations and perceive the same structure in different ways.
Even though a person is formed in society and adopts culture, values, and beliefs from the environment, each community member can understand the essence of buildings differently. A person’s inner world is shaped by various factors, which can differ for each individual. The author explains this concept through the prism of social relations, which have three levels. The first level implies the individual perception of a person, the second collective experience and general cultural trends and values of society, and the third reflects the relationship between the individual and the general. This explanation of the perception of architecture enables us to better understand its purpose and the architect’s task, which is to appeal to all three levels of social relations.
Architecture and Social Change Across Historical Contexts
Additionally, architecture reflects the cultural trends of a society during a particular historical period. At the same time, the purpose and significance of the building may evolve in response to societal changes. Providing an example of the transformation of a monastery into a concert hall, the author highlights how the shift in societal interests and perceptions of the sacred was reflected in architectural design.
At the same time, as religion ceased to occupy a central place in human life, the perception of the subject previously associated with it also underwent a change. Accordingly, architecture, including existing and new buildings, reflects the transformations in society. Given the changing trends in social consciousness, architects sought to design universal buildings that would appeal to everyone at all times.
Architecture as a Tool of Power, Control, and Social Organization
Throughout history, construction has been used as a means of control, and shifts in public priorities have led to changes in the buildings’ functions. At a time when the church and religion were among the main levers of influence on people, churches and monasteries were located in the center of the city. Moreover, the space in them was organized so visitors could feel the hierarchy between the clergy and ordinary citizens. The loss of control by religion over society and the acquisition of power by the authorities were reflected in architecture.
To establish a higher position in the social hierarchy, rulers and governments occupied buildings previously intended for religious purposes. It led to the transformation of churches into courthouses and monasteries into prisons. Moreover, the replacement of the clergy by the government continued the trend of a hierarchical social structure.
At the same time, society, subject to political dynamics, has developed its perception system of architecture. In the community, the building serves as a means of control, allowing individuals to distinguish their own from others’. Having a shared experience creates a common ground and relationship between members of the same community, while strangers will remain on the sidelines.
Moreover, architecture, as part of culture, has become a means by which society influences government authorities. Drawing on the example of the Industrial Revolution, the author demonstrates how construction, motivated by politics, simultaneously carried a significant cultural message that reflected social attitudes. Understanding the factors that influence construction helps to better comprehend the role of architects. In their work, they should strive to create universal designs that transcend time and, at the same time, clearly reflect the fundamental mood of society.
Reference
Markus, T. A. (1993). Buildings and power: Freedom and control in the origin of modern building types. Routledge.