Language and Architecture
Introduction
Language is the basic foundation of any discipline. The main attribute is the transmission of a meaning. For instance, when one is introduced to a new language, there are difficulties with understanding the meaning of some words and statements before becoming familiar with its complex levels. In this paper it is discussed the relationship between language and architecture with regard to different regions. In architecture the meanings are similarly complex, reflective and express. The complexities of the architectural meanings have come as a result of a set of sequences in architectural processes of production (Ching et al, 2010). Thus, in order to understand the architectural design basics, it’s essential for architects as well as students to master their language. They must know main definitions, types of functions and also other words of general usage.
Language and Architecture
When Modern architects revolutionized the art of construction in the 1920s, they scrubbed most of classical decoration and classical terms and in the process of simplification, a language was established. A new phase of professional language was forged, with words such as discourse, praxis, tectonic, assemblage and panorama. For an individual to be effective in the contemporary architecture, he/she need to understand basic language that conveys architectural information with a lot of simplicity.
In architecture, historical, geographical and environmental background plays a significant role in designing structures. Architecture keeps evolves from time to time as it reflects diverse traditions and cultures of different regions. It involves the use of resources that are available locally to solve the local needs; consequently, this architecture differs from region to region with a resulting language differences. The major conventions made in the region are used to aid amateur in designing buildings with no design training. Earthquake prone zone have some set of standards that must be emulated in every building as a mitigation plan.
Climatic aspects play an important role in building construction. For instance, in high level rainy areas the orientation of the roofing system is slanting and most of the homes are constructed on stilts. The buildings are also designed in such a way that they are not affected by the flows of prevailing winds. Cultural aspects include traditional beliefs, size and type of family unity, family relations and interactions as well as methods of preparing food and eating.
The locally available material influences the preference of that particular material (Halambi et al, 2008). For example, presence of forests means high wood preference. This applies to any other available material. Tectonic and climate features of the region majorly determine the type of materials to be used; therefore flood prone regions have definitely different architecture compared to earthquake prone regions. Taking India as an example, local buildings are found mostly in remote areas and they are made and designed of locally available materials to solve the local demands.
Some of the terms used in India’s architecture are discussed below. Kachcha refers to a building constructed of mainly natural resources (Ching et al, 2010). The building is thus a temporary and it requires periodic maintenance. They use such materials as bamboo, mud, grass, and sticks. A traditional Toda house in Indian is described on the picture below:
Pukka refers to a building designed with the help of the resources that can withstand wear. There are metals, stones, and mortar. This type of building does not require periodic maintenance and may attract more decorations compared to kachcha. On the picture below there is the house in Ettayapuram, India.
Semi pukka is a style that combines both pukka and kachcha. It has evolved as a result of the availability of materials and the need to add the aesthetic and durable pukka elements. On the picture below there is this kind of hut, which is located in West Midnapur district, India.
Conclusion
Architecture has its own distinct language that differs from region to region depending on the culture and tradition of the area. These features of vernacular architecture make it unique and distinct in various regions.
References
Ching, F. D., Jarzombek, M. M., & Prakash, V. (2010). A global history of architecture. John Wiley & Sons.
Halambi, A., Grun, P., Ganesh, V., Khare, A., Dutt, N., & Nicolau, A. (2008). EXPRESSION: A language for architecture exploration through compiler/simulator retargetability. In Design, Automation, and Test in Europe (pp. 31-45). Springer Netherlands.