Experiencing architecture
Hindu templeI really enjoyed the reading, Kenneth
Frampton: ‘Towards A Critical Regionalism: Six Points For an Architecture of
Resistance in The Anti-Aesthetic’. The idea that the design should develop from
the site's terrain and curves rather than leveling the area and beginning from
scratch intrigued me the most. The lecture featured a stunning example of a
swimming pool that demonstrated how utilizing the site environment can inspire
creativity and extraordinary design.
Another point that I agree with is
about tactile experiences in architecture. If we could experience architecture
with all five of our senses instead of just visually, I believe it would become
even more beautiful. A Hindu Temple, in my opinion, is the most exquisite
illustration of this sort of encounter. The temple's visually striking
architecture stimulates the sense of seeing. The ceiling resembles a mountain
pointing skyward. You enter the shrine after taking off your shoes. It causes
you to experience the stone's or marble's coldness, and their textures arouse
your sense of touch. You can boost your sense of hearing by ringing the bell at
the door. The temple has garlands that arouse the sense of scent. You are given
"prasad" at the end, which satisfies your palate. I wonder how many
of us consider including a tactile experiences in our designs?
Divya, a Hindu Temple is a great example of the tactile experience in architecture that Frampton referenced. I have never been to a Hindu Temple, but your description of it makes me want to visit! It sounds like an experience for all 5 senses, which is rare to find in most architectural spaces.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with experiencing architecture with all of our senses. Not only will it become more beautiful and experiential but it also offers people a different way to experience architecture than just sight. For example, people who rely on their sense of touch can feel the architecture textures and patterns. Architecture can become more inclusive this way.
ReplyDeleteI have focused on working universal design into a lot of my projects and something interesting that has come up several times is trying to understand how those with different disabilities experience a space. A slope to someone in a wheelchair may seem exaggerated and require effort, making them focus on a different part of the building than most typically would. For someone who is blind, they touch walls and surfaces more than the general population does, so while most merely see the texture, they experience it a different way. Could just changing what we focus on as design elements and / or making architecture more approachable be an easy first step to bringing in more senses?
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