Aims or Goals of Architecture

obvious purpose is to house the complex activities of man, its more positive attribute is to elevate the spirit of humanity and be sympathetic and integrated with its idealism. If we believe in freedom for the individual and in the dignity of man, then the qualities of humanity needed to implement these beliefs must include love, gentleness, joy , serenity, beauty and hope. An architecture which is representative of and need to implement a better way of our life must recognize these human characteristics which are fundamental to it.

A humanistic architecture must aspire to the following goals:

1.    Utility and Suitability. A good architecture should be useful and suitable for human activities. One should feel a building as cozy shelter when planned and designed as a residential building.  The sizes of the room, arrangement of doors and windows, stair-cases should be useful and suitable so as to create comfort, convenience for the occupant. 
2.  Appreciation of visible beauty. Good architecture should stimulate a sense of appreciation and kindle imagination in the minds of those who look at it.  To look at a building is to examine how far it satisfies the essentials of architecture and how far these are combined to give a harmonious unity of form.  A good building with its imposing mass and graceful outlines produces happiness and enjoyment on seeing it, i.e., the aim of architecture is to give such satisfaction and enjoyment.  According to poet Keats’ saying “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”. Its aim is to enhance the enjoyment of life through beauty and delight. 
3.     Orderly disposition. The third aim of architecture is to place the building in such a position that it should appeal to one and all in relation to the sun, wind, aspect, prospect and topography. In other words, the third aim is to give order and through order, a background of serenity for the complex activity of modern life to live in harmony with nature. 

A domestic building should have a beautiful garden in front. Indian temples are usually built amidst natural surroundings and at the top of the hill so that they can guide the pilgrim from miles away.  A good building may lose its significance by improper placing.  For example, the Pyramids of Egypt appear grand, impressive, because they are constructed on flat ground.  If they were built on high hills they would have lost their importance.  With nothing behind them, the pyramids stand against the sky, as though in a world of their own!

4. Truthfulness. It should be truthful showing clarity of structure and clarity of purpose.

5.     Scale. If a building is too strong or brutal, it tends to overpower man. In it he feels insecure and    uncomfortable.  Hence architecture should be in scale with man so that he is secured and at ease in his    environment and intimately related to it.

6.    Faithfulness and full understanding. It should have full understanding of and faithfulness to our technological processes so that we may conserve our efforts and resources in rebuilding our environment.

7.      Nobility. It should be uplifting so that we can reflect the nobility to which man aspires. 

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