aesthetics: urban design and architecture

Uz…

• Webster's defines Aesthetics as:

a branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and the beautiful. Philosophy is the critical study of fundamental beliefs and the grounds for those beliefs.

• We define beauty as the qualities that give pleasure to the senses or exalt the mind.

http://tutorials.architecture.arizona.edu/

THE STUDY OF AESTHETICS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT

AND IT MAY BE SUBJECTIVE OR OBJECTIVE

is beauty subjective or objective?

• Is it possible to judge beauty by any standards? Is it quantifiable?

• is beauty in the eye of beholder? (ie what is beautiful to me may not be to you)

• Must art be beautiful to be great art? (yes or no)

• A thing of beauty a joy forever? (true or false)

(anonymous)

• Beauty is a feeling, but feelings are objective and more precise than “thinking”

• Feelings are not irrational reactions, but highly evolved ways of gathering information, knowledge and meaning from the environment.

• What we call thinking — linguistically -mediated deducted reasoning or reflection — is cumbersome in comparison to the countless ways our mind/body reads, and is read, by the environment and ecosystem.

• Information is everywhere and there are countless ways of picking it up. The feeling of being grounded and centered which people often experience when finally alone with nature is not “subjective” but rather a keen cognitive awareness of the geometry of life around us.

(Design Observer – writings on design and culturewww.designobserver.com)

defining urban design• Urban design is more than a combination of its elements. It is an approach

to design that takes into consideration • the natural and built environment, • social and cultural values of the people, • and aesthetics of the resulting environment.

• A well-designed environment is created through a thoughtful interaction of various urban design elements.

• A person feels comfort when an environment meets certain functional or social needs.

• Similarly, feelings of joy or sadness, calm or agitation may rise in response to elements and combinations of elements in the built and natural environments. (feelings)

(Tangri 2006)

Manjeet K. Tangri Albuquerque's Environmental Story Educating For a Sustainable Community. Copyright © 2006, Friends of Albuquerque's Environmental Story

It is not enough to say"I like it, but I don't know why". 

• Statements about the aesthetic quality of a work of art (or architecture) must be based on some acceptable criteria.

  • Aesthetics is important because it:

– develops observational skills – introduces a vocabulary with which to speak about art

and architecture – encourages higher levels of critical thinking – promotes a personal and genuine interaction with a

work of art or architecture

www.nmculturenet.org/heritage/architesture/html/aesthetics.html

How to analyse?• An aesthetic analysis of a building or built environment begins

with a description using the following elements of design: – color – line (straight, curved, diagonal, vertical, horizontal) – space – texture – form

Principles of Design: • An aesthetic analysis also looks at the way the elements of design

are arranged, in terms of: – balance (formal -symmetrical or radial, informal) – repetition – rhythm – movement – unity (how the elements and principles work together) – creating interest (How does the architect create a center of interest or

emphasis for his building?)

www.nmculturenet.org/heritage/architesture/html/aesthetics.html

analysis:• Description:  What do you see? • Analysis:  How is the building(s) organized? • Interpretation:  What is the architect saying? • Judgment:  What do you think of the building?

Aesthetic Judgement: – Is the building designed appropriately for its function?  – Does it solve social problems?  – How is it integrated into the architectural landscape and the

environmental landscape?  – It is aesthetically pleasing?

Architecture and art – the difference?

The following text is from philosopher Roger Scruton's 1979 book The Aesthetics of Architecture. … taken from the book's introduction, Scruton establishes architecture's distinguishing features that separate it from art for his aesthetic inquiry:

function, site specificity,its character as a public object, andits continuity with the decorative artsand the vernacular

The study of aesthetics is an essential societal value, and may be subjective or objective

• VISUAL POLLUTION

• GOOD BUILDINGS / ENVIRONMENT

• WORST BUILDINGS / ENVIRONMENT

Visual pollution

• Visual pollution refers to those parts of the landscape or "townscape" that are unattractive.

• Visual Pollution can be caused by a range of factors including buildings, business signs, street signs, telephone and utility poles, graffiti, weeds and litter.

http://www.constructionawards.co.uk/swingometer/vispol.php

Visual pollution

Photographs by by Uzma Zain

Analyse this:what do you see here?what you don’t see here ?

is this acceptable?What can be done about this?

typical scenes while driving on road – ‘pindi city

THINK

When we walk on our streets – is this the environment we love to see?Whats wrong with the place?Why is it like this?

… life’s routine goes on …..are these spaces being enjoyed?where is the beauty which makes people happy?

Graffiti: is this visual pollution too – or is it acceptible ‘pollution’? – why?

Street in BahrainPassing through Faisalabad

what is good and what is bad?

Islamabad

Murree

rawalpindi

Aesthetic control of environment:

Questions? Is it true that aesthetic quality contributes to

well being and happiness of society Is the quality we see around acceptable? If

not why are we accepting it? Are we happy? Who is responsible: authorities? us? others How can we make a difference?

Thank you