Architectural Design for Cultural Sensitivity
Culture is a complex thing; it is deep-rooted, most of the time unseen, and relates to our histories and beliefs. The concept or idea that culture shapes architecture is becoming oblivious, and little or no consideration is given to this idea. To fully understand this concept, one must grasp what culture is. As elementary as it may seem, it is very vital in architecture.
Simply put, culture is a way of life defined by norms and values. It is the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Hence, whatever behaviour, idea or custom a group of people codifies as their guiding principle influences everything that relates to them, namely dressing, ceremony, architecture, etc.
Architecture is one of the ways culture is manifested and expressed, and as such, architecture and culture are interrelated. Architecture is an art that fuses inventiveness and functionality. Architects not only create spaces that serve functional and practical purposes, but they also stir up feelings and emotions in the inhabitants of the space.
According to Gary T. Moore in his book Architecture and Human Behaviour, "Architecture is the art that combines expression, technology, and the satisfaction of human needs. Its purpose is to make places where people feel more human, more alive, and more satisfied. With respect to Vitruvius words, Architecture is the art which combines Utilitas, Firmitas and Venustas or Human behaviour, Technology and Beauty."
Architecture and Cultural Sensitivity
It is crucial to note that cultural sensitivity is a principal concept in architecture and design. People love and appreciate the architectural design that speaks to or expresses their beliefs. Architecture all over the world is part of our everyday lives. From the smallest of huts to the grandest of art galleries, architecture is more about the users. Architecture must respond to the users in the context within which they exist. The context here is in two senses: the physical and cultural attributes of a place. The physical context deals with the properties that are specific to that region in terms of climate, environment, geography, and community, while the cultural context deals with the specifics of the people, values, customs, and way of life in that place.
It is of utmost importance that architects recognise the diversity of people who will live or work in a building, whether it be residential, commercial, or public. The importance of understanding and taking into consideration the cultural diversity of the people while constructing is that it promotes social cohesion and harmony within and among communities. By incorporating cultural sensitivity into architectural design, architects can create spaces that respect and celebrate different cultures, which will promote and provide meaningful and long-lasting impacts on communities.
The importance of this architectural detailing and demarcation is seen in the culture of telling stories through stories that are normally written on this part. Also, the temples are of great heights that they can be seen from a far distance; it is to remind the people living in that locality of their gods. If the architectural design of the temple didn't encapsulate all these details or the architect was oblivious to these facts, then, the temple built wouldn't serve the purpose of the people as a place of worship or a learning space but also would have eroded the culture of the people.
Another instance is the new headquarters of the African Union which is located in Ethiopia. This building was designed by a Chinese architecture company. The architectural design of the complex combines African culture, symbolism, and the practical requirements of the organization seamlessly. The circular motif included in the architectural design is a common architectural element in Africa. In the entrance of the hall is a vast mural which displays African culture, history and its role in Pan-Africanism.
Characteristics of Culture in Architecture
It is imperative to look at the characteristics of culture in architecture. It is a known fact that the environment that people live in affects them. It being that human beings cannot adjust in the natural environment gave rise to the need to build and organize artificial environments where they live. Over the years architectural spaces have changed a plethora of times through history.
Culture is both sustainable and dynamic, and these two aspects of culture conform to time. Architecture is not left out from the changes that come with time; this is so because the nature of humans and the culture of his society has evolved or changed from one generation to another. The main characteristics of culture in architecture are:
Shape, Forms, Styles and shape of building.
Design principles with context.
Material and technology for construction
Shapes, Forms, Styles and Shapes of Building
The characteristics of shape, form, styles and shapes of buildings defined by architecture are different and peculiar in each period or generation. What influences the architectural design of a generation is the culture of that period or that generation. The cultural values of a society influence shapes, forms, styles and spaces. In a religious context, every religion has different forms, shapes and styles. For instance, in the Hindu religion, the architectural style of the temple is like a pagoda, sattala etc. While in the Buddhist religion, the architectural styles are stupas, chaityas and vihara.
The architectural style of masjid, gothic is formally employed by the Muslims. The architectural style of the Christian religion is church architecture. The traditional Japanese design reflects the values of Japanese culture like, simplicity, harmony and natural elements.
Design Principles with Context
Different cultures have distinctive design guidelines or design principles that they follow when designing a building. The “Vastu Shastra”, which is the rules and regulations for space as dictated by the Hindu religion, is been followed religiously by the Hindu people. Similarly, the Chinese have the “Feng Shui” and “chi” i.e. Magnetic field and Sunlight. All the rules and regulations contained therein are drafted by following the cultural practices of the believers of that religion. In ancient times some cultures that believed in life after death designed their architectural form considering life after death as practised by Egyptians.
Material and Technology for Construction
The third characteristic of culture in architecture is technology and material. The culture of a community acts as a standard for perceiving, judging and evaluating technology. Different cultures employ different technology and materials in construction. The material used for construction is greatly influenced by its availability and the climate of a region. For example, in warm climates, buildings are often made of materials that provide shade and insulation, like bamboo, mud and straw.
While in cold climates, materials like timber, stone and brick are used for construction. In ancient Egypt, the material used for construction was only big stones, while in ancient Rome, cement and concrete were used for construction. In the Vedic age, Hindus used bamboo, timber, stone and mud for construction. Most of the materials and technologies used in ancient times are still being employed today by architects. Hence, the cultural practices of a people influence the material and technology used for architectural design.
Functionality and Diversity of Users
Another aspect of architecture that has been influenced by culture that is worthy of discussing is the function of a building and consideration of the diversity of users. What a building is used for often reflects the values and beliefs of a society. Take for example, in Western cultures, individuals see their living space as a private, individual space, while in Eastern cultures living space is seen as a shared space that the entire family uses.
How a building is used is also determined or influenced by culture. Some buildings are used for specific purposes, such as religious worship or political assemblies. In other cultures, buildings are used for a variety of purposes, such as living, working and leisure. In Western cultures, buildings are designed strictly for a particular purpose, such as homes, offices and schools, while in Eastern culture, buildings are designed to be flexible in purpose and use, which is to say that a building can have multiple purposes.
In talking about architectural design for cultural sensitivity it is vital to consider the diversity of the users. An architect must analyze and understand the social dynamics of the users to create an environment that fosters inclusivity and social connections. An inclusive design is a design that embraces diversity, accommodates different needs and breaks down barriers.
For instance, a building that has wheelchair accessibility, such a building makes it possible for people on wheelchairs to gain access to the building and use facilities in the building. An inclusive design considers other factors that will promote a sense of oneness and an environment that is welcoming among the users. Factors like the width and height of doorways, the height of counters and the placement of furniture.
When all these principles relating to culture are achieved, it helps to create and maintain identity in today's world of globalization. Also, an architectural design that infuses culture into its design makes sure a user is an important member of the society he/she belongs to. So, there is no gainsaying the need for architecture that is cultural sensitivity. It is very saddening that the advent of modernism and globalization has eroded these architectural principles as buildings do not have unique styles, and they lack identity.
The question now is, how can this be corrected? Community engagement should be paramount in the mind of the architecture and not make a design that lacks cultural identity with the persons living in that community. Community engagement means that before architects draw up a design they must listen to the needs and preferences of the people and duly incorporate them into their design. This process does not only promote harmony, trust and mutual respect, it also allows the architect and the community to pattern and work together for the same vision. They can achieve this by having public meetings, surveys, stakeholder interviews etc. All points suggested by the community must be taken it consideration and integrated into the design while balancing practicality and creativity.
It is important to note that the concept of architecture and culture has evolved in response to the changing environment. The rise of globalism and technological innovation has led to a greater exchange of ideas and cultural influences which has bought about a diverse and eclectic architectural landscape. For example, elements from other cultures are being incorporated into new buildings, such as the use of traditional Japanese design elements in contemporary buildings buttress the point of cultural diversity and a desire to bring a sense of history and tradition to modern buildings. The rise of technology has influenced architecture, and it has allowed for new forms and styles that reflect the changing values and beliefs of modern culture.
Regardless of the above-stated point of view, buildings or structures must bear identity with the culture of the people it is being built for no matter how small the identity. The importance of this cannot be overstretched because through architecture it is possible to gauge many things about a culture, things like lifestyle, artistic sensibilities and social structures. So prioritizing the incorporation of cultural sensitivity in architectural design in every project should be the utmost goal. By so doing, buildings and spaces created by an architect will promote inclusivity, social connections and mutual trust and respect.