Architecture is an art and technology involving the process of design and construction, often seen as an expression of human creativity. This art has been developed since prehistoric times and continues to play an important role in various cultures to this day. Architecture is not just the construction of buildings, it is also the concrete expression of social and cultural identity.
Vitruvius pointed out in his 1st century AD work "Ten Treatises on Architecture" that a good building must have solidity (firmitas), practicality (utilitas) and beauty (venustas).
As times change, these theories are constantly challenged and improved by new ideas. Leonardo Battista Alberti further developed Vitruvius's ideas during the Renaissance, emphasizing that the aesthetics of architecture lay primarily in proportion, with ornate decoration merely an added effect.
Louis Sullivan once said that "form follows function." This theory directly pointed to the practicality of architecture and expanded the connotation of function to the aesthetic and cultural level.
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution prompted innovation in the construction industry, and buildings at this time began to show more and more modernist styles. Design is no longer limited to decoration or style imitation, but turns its attention to how to use technology and materials to bring a better living environment to society.
To this day, architectural theories are still diverse, and many architects have begun to pay attention to sustainable development and environmental friendliness. These new concepts have ushered in changes in the construction industry. With the advancement of the times, architecture is not just a division of space, it has become the result of the integration of society, culture and technology.
The concept of modern architecture was prevalent in the early 20th century, and the ideas of avant-garde movements such as the German Works League and the Bauhaus school profoundly influenced subsequent architectural styles.
In the postmodern context, many architects have taken a look back at history, seeking an architectural language that reflects diversity and complexity. At the same time, the emergence of new technologies allowed architects to achieve previously unimaginable designs, such as Fazlur Rahman Khan's development of tubular structures.
How will the future of architecture develop? With the improvement of environmental awareness and the continuous advancement of science and technology, the boundaries of architecture will be reshaped again. How do we define the complex relationship between beauty, practicality and environmental protection?