The perception of Architecture

Landscapes, cityscapes and our general environment play a role in how we experience life, and this is why architecture holds such significance in our culture. Studying structures like that of the thermal baths in Vals and the George Pompidou center in Paris allows us to reconsider how architecture and nature coincide and the creativity behind the structure we see. Expanding our understanding on how these two concepts of architecture enhances our experience our life.

The thermal baths at Vals meld into the landscape and demonstrates the architect’s unique perspective on buildings and nature. Peter Zumthor’s ability to accentuate the natural surrounding with his building goes against what modern architecture usually does. Zumthor says in a interview. “if you reconsider the idea of bathing and if you think of the hot spring. You can design a building that is more in harmony with the topography and geology of a place” (R. [Architecture point] Copans, 2015). Instead of a building that is a monument to its creators the thermal baths were constructed with a cave structure in mind. To experience these baths shifts one’s perspective of buildings and nature, instead of two opposing forces they coexist harmoniously. Zumthor’s thermal baths are a refreshing take on how architecture fits into a natural landscape. Along with a change in perspective the thermal baths let patrons experiences all five senses in each room of the complex. Based on this should we hold architecture to a new standard, not only should it be visually appealing, but shouldn’t it allow us to transcend or everyday experience with the ability to connect with all five senses?

Another extraordinary building that it quite the opposite of the thermal baths is the George Pompidou Center in Paris, France. Instead of harmoniously melding into its surrounding like Zumthor’s thermal baths it stands proud and a symbol of creativity in the face of conformity. This metal structure with color-coded pipes on the back is inspiring due to all the consideration its architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano thought of. Designing something new like the George Pompidou center took much ingenuity which established it as a symbol to all the future generations. Looking at this structure it says, ‘dare to be different’. In the face of conformity not many dare to change their surroundings and that is why architecture is so beautiful because it dares to present different views. Where it be adding or removing or creating from nothing architecture speaks volumes about our own creativity.

In what ever experience we have the architecture that surrounds us shapes our perceptions as well as our own creativity. Peter Zumthor, Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano are some of the architects that have shaped our experience of architecture and redefined the purpose of space by embracing their creativity.

References

Copans, R. (2017). “The Georges Pompidou Centre” ART, Design, ARCH & Revolution. Vimeo.Com. https://vimeo.com/197148859

Copans, R. [Architecture point ]. (2015, November 5). Architecture. Peter Zumthor “The Thermea of Stone” [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4diInFrkQA&t=2s

Unwin, S. (2010). Twenty Buildings Every Architect Should Understand. Rout. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/522d0844e4b09d456b0a2ea6/t/528d9cf3e4b0d60933daa638/1385012467652/sUNWIN_VALS.pdf