What does Architecture mean to you??? A) Combination of Beauty and Form B) Great Design to Live with... C) Sustainability D) Others (leave in reply)

i like the " form follows function " school
and houses are supposed to function as habitats for humans

so the form has to follow both the functions and conform to the dictates of beauty.
beauty is constantly being redefined ,  but classic  architecture is  always in good taste

also i firmly believe and follow the "theory of constraints"
the parameters are further defined by the constraints placed upon the project..
wether it's zoning , or budget , or energy or three teen-age daughters,
or ADA... etc

architecture has to reflect all of those

"Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of masses brought together in light."

- Le Corbusier

Aaah!! That's what I love about architects: they learn so many multisyllablic words, theories, and philosohies, and so little about what it takes to make a house stand up.

Wes,

You may be right about that.  But where I taught in the School of Architecture at Auburn University, our students also took building science courses which should have helped them go beyond theory.

good answer , wes....
oh, yeah....wait....what was the question ?

Aaah!! That's what I love about contractor designers: they learn so many building methods, tools, and materials, and so little about what it takes to make a house enrich the soul.

instead of a bunch of snide remarks, you could attempt to answer the question....

""What does Architecture mean to you??? A) Combination of Beauty and Form B) Great Design to Live with... C) Sustainability D) Others (leave in reply) ""
if you prefer a pizzin contest... please address your comments to the individual you mean to demean

Sorry Jeff,
didn't mean to step on any toes.
It just seems every time I am invovled with an 'architect', they spend so much time
'enriching the soul' that they forget to listen to the clients' needs.
Oh, did I mention, on three of the last four architect designed projects I've done,
I had to correct serious structural flaws in the design.

was it the architect who did the drawings or was an engineer involved?

I think it goes both ways...I spent several days on site last week trying to figure out how to redesign a part of the building after the masons installed the block to wrong heights and layouts as making them redo it would have big time delays in the project we could not have.  Also after they set the steel at the wrong elevation.  "Was not on the plans....."....apparently they did not look close enough.  (I even threw out the common sense thought of calling or sending an RFI before setting if you are not sure....).

However, having a construction background, I try to employ common sense tactics and think about how they will actually build it when figuring out details.  I do agree that, depending on the accredited school the degree is from, either technical or "mythical" (like mine was), not all schools prepare interns, or even come close to it.  Granted, that is what the 3 years of IDP and interning is suppose to be for, as well as the testing, but that is not always the case...
I am a firm believer that ALL students should be required to spend at least 1 summer on site working to build a project, either residential or commercial.

However, with that being said, I focus on good common sense design.  I do not use fancy frilly words to attempt to describe the reason I designed something the way I did.  A Partner will ask me why I did it this way.  I simply say because it looks cool. 

So that is my definition of architect:  common sense, working designs that look cool.  People walk down the street or drive by and do not say "i like how this building mimics the flowing earth and wind rolling over the hill....".  They say hey, that building looks cool.

Wes its OK. I went to U of Fla college of Architecture which is a very theoretical college, but my career has taken a more practical direction, so I can see both sides of the issues. I myself have worked on projects designed by novice architects that did not have a good handle on the reality of building and it does sometimes frustrate me. Every project is or should be a collaborative effort especially between the Contractor and the Architect and it should be thought of that way from the start of the project. Then the two can work together to create something really special.

We need the dreamers (Architects) at every level to push the limits of what can be built beautifully so humanity can be inspired to greatness and not mediocrity. We also need the Contractors, Engineers and Clients to help them achieve that goal.

JeffD,

I believe it was the famous architect Phillip Johnson when asked what was the most important thing in architecture stated that it was "getting the commission".  Without a client (patron) and a commission, an architect can not afford to express himself.  The art that can be expressed in beautiful buildings would not be there except for the combined efforts of a lot of people including the client and artist.

I felt like many times that my school stressed theory over substance.  Fortunately some of us also taught that it does not do much good to design a building that will not stand on its own structure.  I, too, try to look at it from both sides.

Wes, we still like you.  Someday when I am visiting my relatives in KY I would love to meet you.  Do you attend the International Builders Show or the SEBC show in Orlando?  I have met some regular posters to the GBT forum at these shows.

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations.

A, B, C and D. I designed my house with all these things in mind, with the help of an architect and an engineer. For me D was designing with a nod to the farm houses traditonal in this area. Wanted a house that lived modern but felt "proper" for the piedmont. I think all would agree that all of the above is the answer.

Thank you ( kermit, JeffD, wes, Alton, lzerarc, jumpingspidermedia, Brawler) all for your valuable inputs on this discussion…

Architecture baiscally means the building blocks of material or strurcure..... The thing from which a material or a structure is made and brought to its end shape.....

My answer is B : Great Design to Live with art and culture.