Architecture, seriously?
How Architecture determines how life proceeds and marks the constraints for life itself
Matthew Arnold first coined the term ‘dreaming spires’ to refer allusively to Oxford. It seems rather odd to personify the city in this way, as if the buildings themselves were conscious and engaged in idealistic cognitive pursuits — all of their own accord. In these terms, it is in fact the buildings themselves,that are effortlessly sifting through ideas to produce original works of exemplary academic merit. You may think this is ludicrous, it is obvious that the buildings are not doing this, but indirectly this is the effect that they have and it is, I believe, more than reasonable to credit them for this purpose
Oxford has a long history of education, being the oldest university in the English-speaking world and, if you have ever had the pleasure of visiting, the ornately grand buildings are likely to have left an indelible impression. At the time of coining the phrase, Arnold must have been acutely aware of the impact of which architecture and other visual stimuli leave upon the minds of people.
The thought process is directly linked to what we see around us and it is no surprise, therefore, that buildings; objects in which we are estimated to spend roughly 90% of our lives inside (and the majority of the remaining 10% looking at when we manage to get outdoors) have an overwhelmingly large role to play in thought and shaping the culture and behaviour of who we are, as well as those around us with whom we must live.
Oxford, of course, is famous for its tradition in education and its alumi have gone on to achieve many great things in that sphere. Now, would this still be the case if Oxford was a dull, grey and unappealing place with buildings which were more prison-like rather than awe-inspiring. If that were the case, it would be hard to see how any ounce of creativity would not have been stifled by monotonous and depressing constructions, which, rather than fuelling creativity, turn one’s thoughts to methods of escape.
Now, I have used Oxford as an example scenario but this applies to any inhabitation, wherever it may be. Architecture and design can combine either seamlessly, or jarringly, to create the pervading atmosphere which sets and dictates the pace and course of events which play out in a given place. The boundaries of buildings are inescapable and create the confines in which we operate both mentally and physically. Architecture is a snapshot of culture at a period of time and plays a criminally overlooked role in the wellbeing and course of mankind itself. What else has the power to impact the thoughts, decisions, mood, behaviour and cohesion among humans at any given moment? Planning and design is a serious business and should be given the respect and gravity which it undoubtedly deserves.
