Historically, architectural or building styles survived for long periods of time, gradually evolving over hundreds, or even thousands of years as empires expanded and then contracted. In the UK, design and construction of buildings periodically incorporated the ideas of dominant European civilizations such as the Romans, Vikings and Normans, and later the more peaceful discovery and absorption of the sophistication and beauty of continental architecture, notably at the time of the Italian Renaissance. Many splendid Victorian structures were built by the entrepreneurs of the Industrial Revolution to demonstrate their new wealth and self-importance in society. The use of materials and structures typical of time and place, described as vernacular architecture was familiar to designers, builders and users, unifying the built environment and creating a certainty in the way in which it was understood.
During the twentieth century, however, design and construction changed rapidly as ideas, materials, technology, transport and communications developed and opened up new possibilities.
Perceptions of what buildings are for and what they can look like has changed too. Since the 1960s, leisure centers, supermarkets and out-of-town hypermarkets have been invented, precast concrete high-rise housing has come and gone and the design of industrial buildings has been transformed from mere ‘sheds’ into buildings of ‘award winning merit’. We now have mixed use buildings, combining commercial, leisure and residential functions, and redundant buildings being transformed by changing their use to suit contemporary demands. The design of each building type, however, is simply an assembly of elements, and it can be argued that the quality of these buildings has resulted from the ability or failure to recognize the true significance of all the relevant elements at the time that they were designed and constructed. For example, the swift demise of the pre-cast concrete, deck access, urban tower blocks, constructed in a hurry in the 1960s and 70s was perhaps predictable because so many elements were ignored or plain wrong. Radical theories about function associated with inadequate technology and management, created an inevitable time bomb, and many of these developments have already been demolished, some within a mere 20 years of their first being occupied. Learning from mistakes has been a very painful and expensive experience for everyone involved. Interestingly though, the sweeping condemnation of the buildings of this era has recently been reviewed, and a number of examples from the period are now been restored and listed as being of architectural merit.
It is always easy to criticize of course, and with the advantage of hindsight, every building would be perfect. It is said that ‘history is a good teacher’ and everyone involved in creating new buildings would do well to study past successes and failures so that the same mistakes are not repeated. This can only be achieved by understanding as far as practically possible the true requirements and purposes of buildings so that significant elements are not ignored or forgotten.
They can be grouped into the following broad categories.
Basic physical needs
Buildings generally provide a sheltered, warm and secure enclosure or interior environment, appropriate for sustaining anticipated human activity.
Cultural influences
The way that activity is undertaken includes consideration of present-day attitudes, beliefs and political organization, the meaning of historical precedent, the desire to express symbolic values and the extent of current legal constraint applicable to development.
Means of construction
Creating appropriate environments requires the selection of suitable structures, materials, fixtures and finishes to maintain shelter, warmth and security and to withstand the effects of the local climate and the wear and tear of the regular use.
Appearance
Structures and finishes can be seen and have a visual impact, both on the external and internal environments. The appearance of materials may be naturally finished or decorated, and will almost certainly change over time.
Project-specific matters
The way that any new building can be created depends on the demands of the building type and the constraints of the site on which it is to be located. The requirements and expectations of the client and the costs of construction are factors unique to each and every new building.
Perceptions of what buildings are for and what they can look like has changed too. Since the 1960s, leisure centers, supermarkets and out-of-town hypermarkets have been invented, precast concrete high-rise housing has come and gone and the design of industrial buildings has been transformed from mere ‘sheds’ into buildings of ‘award winning merit’. We now have mixed use buildings, combining commercial, leisure and residential functions, and redundant buildings being transformed by changing their use to suit contemporary demands. The design of each building type, however, is simply an assembly of elements, and it can be argued that the quality of these buildings has resulted from the ability or failure to recognize the true significance of all the relevant elements at the time that they were designed and constructed. For example, the swift demise of the pre-cast concrete, deck access, urban tower blocks, constructed in a hurry in the 1960s and 70s was perhaps predictable because so many elements were ignored or plain wrong. Radical theories about function associated with inadequate technology and management, created an inevitable time bomb, and many of these developments have already been demolished, some within a mere 20 years of their first being occupied. Learning from mistakes has been a very painful and expensive experience for everyone involved. Interestingly though, the sweeping condemnation of the buildings of this era has recently been reviewed, and a number of examples from the period are now been restored and listed as being of architectural merit.
It is always easy to criticize of course, and with the advantage of hindsight, every building would be perfect. It is said that ‘history is a good teacher’ and everyone involved in creating new buildings would do well to study past successes and failures so that the same mistakes are not repeated. This can only be achieved by understanding as far as practically possible the true requirements and purposes of buildings so that significant elements are not ignored or forgotten.
They can be grouped into the following broad categories.
Basic physical needs
Buildings generally provide a sheltered, warm and secure enclosure or interior environment, appropriate for sustaining anticipated human activity.
Cultural influences
The way that activity is undertaken includes consideration of present-day attitudes, beliefs and political organization, the meaning of historical precedent, the desire to express symbolic values and the extent of current legal constraint applicable to development.
Means of construction
Creating appropriate environments requires the selection of suitable structures, materials, fixtures and finishes to maintain shelter, warmth and security and to withstand the effects of the local climate and the wear and tear of the regular use.
Appearance
Structures and finishes can be seen and have a visual impact, both on the external and internal environments. The appearance of materials may be naturally finished or decorated, and will almost certainly change over time.
Project-specific matters
The way that any new building can be created depends on the demands of the building type and the constraints of the site on which it is to be located. The requirements and expectations of the client and the costs of construction are factors unique to each and every new building.
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