Oh, architecture! It's like that one friend who never shows up to a party without making a statement. cateringpods.co.uk It's the friend who always arrives late and dressed well, but somehow is the best conversationalist at the party. This is architecture: Always standing out, and always with depth.
What about a walk through a historic city? Picture those buildings that have seen more history than any of us combined. Each brick, and every window, has its own history. Now compare that with the sleek glass towers touching the skies in modern cities. It's like they are two completely different universes. Here we are in the middle of a concrete and cobblestone intersection.
Gaudi created the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi was like an adventurous chef who goes against all rules and follows his gut instinct. What is the end result? The result? A dish, or in this instance a church that looks as if it was taken straight from a fantasy book. These spires, reaching to the sky aren't just showing off. They whisper (or shout) "Look what you get when your imagination runs wild!"
Fast forward now to an era with clean lines and wide open spaces - hello Modernism. This was when architects decided that less is indeed more (except when it comes to coffee; there's never enough coffee). Le Corbusier didn't play with blocks. He redefined the way space could be efficiently used while still looking stylish. Imagine saying to someone in his time, "In the future we will call bare concrete chic." It's likely they would laugh in their tea.
Buildings that perform more than just look good are the ones we should be talking about. Today's structures are getting smarter by the minute--solar panels for hairdos, rainwater cocktails at happy hour, and walls that change color with their mood... or temperature; I always get those two mixed up.
Don't sneer at me, but beauty in architecture is just as subjective (or as arbitrary) as pineapple on a pizza. One person's awe may make someone else shrug, and they might move on. And that's okay because if everyone liked pineapple on their pizza, life would be pretty boring.
Let's make design affordable for all, not just those that can afford to top their pizza with fancy toppings. Why shouldn't inspiring spaces only be available to a few people? Let's make good taste accessible to everyone!
While we are navigating this crazy, small world--yes even without a globe--it is clear that the architecture provides more than shelter from storms. It represents our ideals, hopes and mistakes.
You can tip your cap next time when you walk by an interesting building – whether an ancient cathedral, or even a modern museum. Thank it for adding to our common storybook. After all, every building is full of stories and secrets.
It is a combination of tradition, innovation and chaos. When is it best? I invite you to raise your eyes from your screens and see the amazing things that humans are capable of when they have the courage to dream large, then to build them.