Why We Should Think About the Beauty of Architecture

If we think of architecture purely as a mechanism for housing, storage, or production, we focus exclusively on function. That is what Le Corbusier did. We have him to thank for this point of view; it opened up a new way of thinking about houses.

Yet architecture is inconceivable without people. Everything we create awaits the presence — or at least the gaze — of someone who can give it meaning. Architecture exists in a human context: happy and unhappy, growing and aging. We find inspiration in what surrounds us, and more often than not, what surrounds us is architecture.

Even at an age when our mother's breast was the only thing we could see, touch, or smell, even then, the first discoveries we made were discoveries of architecture. Walls reflected light, carried a scent, and reassured us with their constant presence.

A story about architecture is a story about people — about what they consider good and bad, about how one should live, about aspirations and ideals.

The design of the facades that surround a person becomes the backdrop of his entire life. We recognize ourselves in the objects we use. The buildings one passes by, lives in, or works in define one's time and place. It is easier to feel "here and now" when we are surrounded by good things.

The effort required to design a structure, procure building materials, and erect it seems excessive for a task as abstract as beauty. And perhaps only in times of special hardship and crisis do people begin to feel support and encouragement in beautiful buildings. Of course, architecture will bring us only a modest measure of happiness. Excellent architecture will not make everyone happy, and history shows us that crimes can be committed in a house with the most beautiful facade. But we still believe that this happens in spite of the character of the dwelling, in spite of the bright and lofty intentions of the architect.

Talking about beautiful architecture raises the question: what is beautiful architecture today? Where do we find the criteria to judge it? In what style should we build? And what can architecture tell us if it is good? Let's think about that together in the near future.