Its forms and Functions

Architecture is the art or science of planning, building and structures. Without consideration of structural principles, materials, social and economic requirements a building cannot take form. But without aesthetical quality inherent in its form a building cannot be considered as a work of architecture as well.

Architecture is an art. Its nowadays expression should be creative and consequently new. The heritage of the past cannot be ignored, but it must be expressed in modern terms.

Architecture is also a style or manner of building in a particular country or period of history. There are widely known examples of Gothic architecture all round the globe. During many centuries mankind admires the architecture of ancient Greece or Roman Empire as well.

Nearly two thousand years ago the Roman architect Vitruvius listed three basic factors and architecture. They are convenience, strength and beauty. These three factors have been present and are always interrelated in the best constructions till the 21^st century.

This triple nature of architectural design is one of the reasons why architecture is a difficult art. It needs some unique type of imagination as well as long years of training and experience to make a designer capable of getting requite in the light of these three factors – use, construction and esthetic effect – simultaneously. The designer must have a good knowledge as of engineering as of building materials. The designer, in addition, must possess the creative imagination, which will enable him to integrate the plan and the construction into the harmonies whole. The architect’s feeling of satisfaction in achieving such integration is one of his/her/their greatest rewards.