As we have seen, architects are trained in how to use tools and techniques to create spaces for living or working, but they do not just design buildings, they also study science. When creating new designs, whether it is for an apartment complex or a large office building, your architect will consider scientific theories such as physics (the study of matter and energy) and biology (the study of life).

These theoretical concepts can be applied to designing buildings, from determining the most efficient materials used in construction to figuring out what kind of environmental control needed to be put into place so that the space functions properly.

The importance of applying these theories to architecture has been growing steadily over time. It was once considered more of an artistic expression than true science, but today there are many professional organizations devoted to incorporating scientifically sound principles into practice. Some even offer certification!

Today’s architects must be able to apply at least some basic knowledge of both physics and biology to ensure the sustainability and healthfulness of their projects. Even if you aren’t planning on becoming an architect yourself, you should know about this concept because it is increasingly important.

History of architecture

Like any other field, architecture is built upon past experiences, ideas and lessons. During antiquity, architects erected large structures that influenced how we build buildings today, such as The Parthenon in Greece or The Great Wall of China!

Architecture was not only limited to building beautiful shapes and colors, it also had some profound meanings attached to it. For instance, the pyramids were designed with various purposes – to create a feeling of eternity, to symbolize death, to emphasize spirituality and so on.

History shows us many examples of architectural styles, which are characterized by certain features. These include proportions, materials used, decorations, and organization of space. All these characteristics help define the style, and then people apply them to their own designs.

Another important concept in architecture is the use of balance. An architect must be able to evaluate whether something is too much like another thing with which it shares similarities, and determine what needs to be changed to achieve harmony. This process is called contrast.

It’s difficult to find a design without both an element of consistency and contrast. What makes one piece more interesting than another depends on the setting, the audience, and the individual looking at it.

Architectural design

When we talk about architecture, there are two main types of buildings that come up. One is building design, which includes designing new roofs, windows, or floors. These are typically categorized as either being utilitarian (focused on practical uses) or artistic (the look of the structure comes first).

The other type of architectural work is to evaluate and assess existing structures for improvement or renovation. This is called historic preservation. More often than not, these improvements are focused on restoring the original style, improving efficiency, or both.

Both of these types of projects require an understanding of how light moves through space and how this effects your surroundings. Lighting, shading, and shadows play important roles in shaping perception of the area around a structure.

Overall, studying architecture is an art form that relies heavily on science.

Architectural engineering

Like any other profession, there are programs that offer professional degrees in architecture. These programs typically take three to five years to complete.

Within those programs, some departments focus more on specific areas like interior design or landscape design, while others combine all of these areas into one.

Some architects have additional training in civil engineering or construction management. Others are certified in green building practices or safety regulations for working with electricity or plumbing.

These additions to the architect’s toolbox show how much power they have over the future of our homes and workplaces.

Organization of architecture

Like any other science, there are tools to organize and understand how architects structure their work. These organization systems help us describe different aspects of architectural practice and classify things according to content or discipline.

These organizational frameworks come in many forms such as genres, styles, concepts, materials, techniques, and processes. An architect’s choice of tool depends on what they want to learn about themselves or their field.

For example, if an architect is trying to develop their drafting skills, then using pen and paper to create diagrams would be more effective than drawing free-hand. If they wanted to hone their conceptual understanding, then looking at examples of buildings from various periods would be better than just studying historical documents and gospels.

When it comes down to it, no matter which system you choose, the important thing is that you feel like your ideas have consistency and make sense to you.

Fashion in architecture

As we have seen, architects are trained in how to use certain styles to create buildings, but they also study how colors influence perception, shapes inspire emotions, and materials emphasize content or image. These concepts go beyond aesthetics- they apply to everything from marketing strategies to psychology!

This concept is called fashion in architecture. Just like people who design clothes, furniture, or other products that appeal to people’s senses, it is possible to pick out features that will make an appealing building. For example, using bright, pastel shades would work well for a child’s room, while darker neutral hues would be better for a college dormitory.

There are many ways to implement fashionable elements into your designs, so take some time to look up examples of successful applications.

The use of materials in architecture

While not every building needs to be designed using scientific principles, all buildings require an understanding of how matter works. Materials, or components as they are more commonly known, play a major role in shaping the look and feel of your home.

Architects choose their material for a project by considering both their looks and whether they are practical and cost effective. For example, glass is very beautiful and elegant, but it can be expensive to source and maintain so it is better saved for larger windows or doors where you can see through it.

Other common materials used include wood, steel, and concrete. Different types of these materials bring different qualities to a space- soft woods like oak or pine work well in a bedroom, strong metals such as brass or copper add some style, and dry cement makes a good sturdy base that also works well in a variety of settings.

These similarities make them useful team members when creating a house. By having several types of materials present, you achieve a unique looking house that fits with your aesthetic.

Types of architecture

Speaking as someone who has studied both architectural theory and practice, I would say that what most people refer to when they talk about “architecture” is actually just one type — namely, theoretical or conceptual design.

This is not wrong, but it is limited.

Architects also study two other types of architecture: practical (or applied) design and construction.

However, these are usually ignored by non-practitioners, because they seem like less important parts of the field.

I disagree with this assumption.

Practice makes perfect!

The more you include of any kind of architecture in your life, the better you will understand it as a discipline.

Furthermore, practicing some element of the field takes away from the stigma many feel towards architects, which is that we are only good at drawing pretty pictures.

Design principles in architecture

Over the past two centuries, architects have gathered up a wealth of knowledge about how to design buildings and landscapes. This body of architectural theory is quite large and includes such concepts as proportion, symmetry, color schemes, and so on.

These are referred to as “design principles” because they represent basic rules that apply to most things designed in the domain covered by this theory. For example, all of the proportions used in classical Greek architecture were found to work well for many types of buildings and spaces, which is why these proportions remain popular to this day.

When applied to building designs, these fundamental precepts help make your final project look good and feel solid. They also play an important role in establishing parallel lines, relationships between elements, and overall harmony or balance.

However, just like any other type of science, not everyone who applies these theories produces the same looking results. Some may put more emphasis on certain features than others, while others may find their own personal style when it comes to applying these rules.

That said, there are some universal guidelines we can use when designing anything beyond pure decoration. These include such ideas as using horizontal and vertical patterns, emphasizing strong shapes, and introducing asymmetry into otherwise symmetric pieces.

Generalizing from individual examples is one way to learn about new design strategies, but nothing truly original ever arises fully formed with no inspiration.