The architectural sector has existed for many centuries. The first architects were carpenters, builders, and masons, but the discipline of architecture did not come to light until the Renaissance Era.
Before Giorgio Vasari published the book “The Lives of the Most Brilliant Architects, Sculptors and Painters”in AD1500, there was no formal training or established guilds for architects, and people who constructed buildings and homes were only considered artisans.
But it’s quite weird when you consider all the legendary architectural accomplishments of ancient times, such as the Red City of Petra, Pyramids of Giza, and the Colosseum of Rome.
How exactly can these buildings exist for such a long time and also without the proficiency of designers?
Till now, in these modern times, the indication of the designers is still at work because they do exist even today and people are surrounded by it.
These indications come in the form of homes, public buildings, skyscrapers, and schoolhouses. But the main question here is how much do you know about architect and architecture?
In this article, you will find several interesting facts about architecture that you might have never heard before. Let’s dig in!
1. Architecture Has Seven Specialized Fields
Like all the other career fields, architecture also has several branches under its belt. There is a total of seven specializations, which are:
● Sustainable Design.
● Residential Architecture.
● Interior Design.
● Commercial Architecture.
● Landscape Architecture.
● Industrial Architecture.
● Urban Design.
The majority of the architects are known as generalists. This means that they carry a solid foundation in all seven specializations and have the power to handle all types of projects.
When an architect develops in their career, they will get the opportunity to receive more-specialized projects according to their portfolios.
But to obtain a license, all architects need to have 3 years of experience training, work, and passing all the divisions of the Architects Registration Examination.
Architects are known as specialists in everything. Like the conductor of an orchestra, the architect also needs to understand the design and construction of the building.
2. All Buildings Begin With An Outstanding Design
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have sent all their staff members back home to prevent the spread and additional infections. Out of everything, the pandemic has helped in showing the importance of healthy buildings.
But are you aware that architects know about this, and have been making buildings by keeping the user’s safety and health in mind for many years
There are many architects out there who have additional or extra certifications with companies that make healthy buildings their top priority.
Stopping all the germs is not just the only thing that describes a healthy building design. But it also includes magnifying and facilitating the physical and mental health of the user.
A great architect incorporates many components that facilitate a healthy and safe environment, which includes:
● Views and Lighting.
● Excellent Air Ventilation.
● Noise.
● Air Quality.
● Water Quality.
● Humidity and Moisture.
● Air Quality.
● Security and Safety.
● Thermal Health.
● Pests and Dust.
All of these components donate towards a healthy setting. With the pandemic accentuating, the anti-microbial and easy-to-clean areas have become essential.
Due to such reasons, the architects are using various fixtures and surfaces into their designs. For instance, surfaces like granite and stainless steel, germs will be able to survive for at least 72 hours.
Because of such reasons, all the architects are replacing things like door knobs and faucets with copper, bronze, and various other alloy alternatives.
Since individuals spend half of their time indoors, the quality of the interior setting should be in good condition as it’s a place you and everyone like you feels a lot safe.
3. Architecture Use To Be An Olympic Sport
During the first 40 years of the Olympic Games, about 151 medals were awarded for architecture, music, painting, literature, and sculpture. In the Olympics, the first-ever gold medal for Architecture was awarded to Alphonse Laverriere and Eugene-Edouard Monod from Switzerland for the town planning project known as “Building Strategy Of A Contemporary Stadium.”
On the other hand, Charles Downing Lay, a NY architect, also got a silver medal for creating a town-planning design for the 1500-acre Marine Park located in Brooklyn.
Lay’s plan would’ve surely made the Marine Park a lot bigger than NYC’s Prospect and Central Parks. But Robert Moses, the city planner, didn’t opt for Robert’s design during the final project.
4. Architecture Used The Sims
The universally popular game “The Sims” was designed as an architectural simulator before it transformed into a well-known game back in 2000.
The architect would use the simulator to make layouts of residential properties and then analyze how the independent characters would communicate with their creations. But these days, technology is currently sitting at the front of architecture.
This is because there have been a lot of developments in this sector where virtual reality has been used. The developments in parametric designs, VR, and prototyping show that architects can easily transform all theoretical projects into realism.
Virtual Reality or VR will also magnify customer/client interaction because customers can easily conduct a computer-generated walkthrough of a building sample.
Doing so will give them the chance to experience the building right before they are constructed. This enables the construction managers, architects, and customers to find all the flaws and irregularities before the construction work begins.
Many architecture companies are now utilizing 3D models for buildings and rooms to provide an excellent view of a finished product. The technique is currently used for constructing new homes and commercial places by many architects across the globe.
5. The Architects Have Knowledge About Various Software Programs
Believe it or not, the young architects and the architecture students have plenty of knowledge about numerous software programs. They keep their concentration on software programs and focus on other areas, such as photo manipulation, sound, and animation.
Some programs are needed for fabrications and are also needed for knowledge, which includes laser cutting, milling, and 3D printing. During the training, all the architecture students get a Renaissance Education and the amount of software they should learn right before they access the field
6. All Architects Love Books
Despite the subject, most of the architects are pretty interested in reading books. At school, the students from the architecture department have to read numerous subjects and rather than go to the library they buy the book they need.
Bernard Tschumi and Peter Eisenman are two of the most well-known architects who have a collection of 6000 books.
Final Thoughts
Architects are interesting individuals. They not only have the talent to create homes or offices, but they can also create beautiful parks, statues, and even museums to house the most-rarest things of the past.
Here, in this article, you found some very interesting and extraordinary facts about the world of architecture and architects. Please go through the article and read it carefully to better understand the industry and the people who work in it.
The knowledge you gain from this article will surely help you become a skilled and experienced architect in the coming future.
