The Importance Of Trends In Architecture

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Architecture is a field that is constantly changing. Trends in architecture come and go relatively quickly because it is based on people’s opinions which are continually changing. Architecture is nice because the changes are happening visually. You are able to drive around, and notice shifts throughout the field. I have always had a love for architecture and the designing that goes into buildings and think that in order to stay relevant, you must always be improving and progressing. This is a big factor that pushes the field along and keeps the trends changing. Some of the trends I have noticed in the past ten years were based on things such as geographic location, sustainability or resilience, and advancements in technology. Location …show more content…

They became more aware of their surroundings instead of focusing specifically on the aesthetics of a building. The geographical trend looks at preservation as an important part of design, especially in urban settings. It strives to keep the integrity of older neighborhoods, districts, and cultural landscapes. This architecture is being informed by its surroundings instead of being thrown into a district or landscape. Architects can create a more seamless design between the old and new by considering what is already there. An example of this is the High Line Park in New York. Designers took an abandoned rail ray and turned it into a walking park. The architects behind this park, studied human behavior to inform their ideas which led to the creation of a park that was relaxed and meant for sitting and relaxing. They wanted to create an area of space in New York for people to rest in contrast with the ‘city that never sleeps’. This is a prime example of architects taking something that already exists and breathing new life into it. Without looking at the surroundings the architects would not have been able to create such a structure as this. Urbanism has played a large role in energizing the shift towards geography; “the geographic approach has been at the center of any inquisitive urban study because new subfields of geography bring theoretical rigor to the space-related research of …show more content…

Architects also build sustainable structures that are able to merge with existing buildings while keeping them up to date. An example of architecture that was added to be coherent with an existing building is the HUF building in Rotterdam. Architects added a back lit screen crowning the roof of an apartment building to conceal a newly added cooling plant. Facilities that can be re-used and change over time is a common point. We see this with the apartment buildings and the Van Nelle factory. The architects behind this project restored an old factory building. They were able to salvage the outer façade and use it as an envelope for the interior space that was updated. This allowed the building to retain its characteristics and keep the integrity of the original architecture (Jonge). Along with design buildings to be resilient to change the earth and making sure that the buildings are not polluting the environment is a big part of building for sustainability. In some cases, the houses or structures have features that make them self-sustaining. Many architects are incorporating green spaces into their designs. This helps with the prevention of creating a ‘concrete jungle’ but also has benefits that aid in heating and cooling

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