Architectural design can be defined as a concept which focuses on elements and components of a structure, unifying them into a functional and coherent whole. Appearance of the design fundamentally affects it. Places where people inhabit affect their feelings, thoughts and behaviors. The design of such a place determines the comfort and happiness that people derived from it. Architectural design ought to be done with a great degree of creativity and innovativeness to enhance the appearance and improve the social intimacy between the structure and the inhabitants (Corser, 2010).
The aspect of color in design, for instance, plays a big role. Different colors mean different things to different people. The color of a structure or part of it can be attractive or repulsive. The choice of color in architectural design must, therefore, be done with great care. For business organizations, there is always an organizational color that is enshrined in the trademark. Such a color should be dominant on the design. It makes it easy for people to associate a given color with an event or issue. As such, the color choice plays a very big role and affects the design a great deal.
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"Impact of Appearance on Architectural Design".
Another aspect of appearance that affects architectural design is the shape of furniture. This is particularly with the residential buildings. The shape of furniture will surely impact on the appearance. It also determines whether the structure is attractive or not. People want to be associated with structures that have good aesthetic value. The shape and beauty of the furniture contributes to the aesthetics. It also determines the finish of the structure. A good design may be messed up by poorly framed furniture. This can potentially destroy the outlook of the entire structure. It is usually said that one worm can spoil the entire meat. It is not in dispute.
Lighting is another aspect of appearance that impacts on the design. Appropriate lighting for the ground floor and pedestrian areas becomes necessary. Providing efficient white light sources also saves energy. Moreover, designing lighting in such a way that light does not spill onto adjacent uses bring more value to the design and the inhabitants or occupants of the structure (Knaack, 2007). Lighting, therefore, affects architectural design a great deal.
Appearance of the parking structure also affects the design of a building. The visual impacts of the parking should be minimized by making it attractive and compatible with the commercial or residential area. It should also respect the regular patterns of the window and architectural elements of the adjacent structure (Rassia & Pardalos, 2012). This adds significant value to the aesthetics of the structure. The site circulation should be such that it minimizes conflict between vehicles and pedestrians. If it appears in such a way that there is a cause for potential conflicts, accidents may happen. The intent of the design should avoid this from the very onset.
Landscaping and site design also adds to the appearance of the design and affect it fundamentally. Significant landscape features improve the streetscape. Demonstrating the fundamental landscaping principles in design achieves good results. Harmony of the design structure, further, makes the structure attractive a great deal. The design should take into account adequate open space to enhance active use of the space.
Architectural design cannot be separated from its appearance. This appearance is closely linked to the human psychology. If the design is attractive and beautiful in terms of appearance, it evokes positive mood on the residents. Architectural design elements ought to be combined in such a way that they produce attractive structures that are worth the time and cost. Appearance of architectural design can make or break a structure. As such, care must be taken when designing structures.
- Corser, R. (2010). Fabricating Architecture: Selected Readings in Digital Design and Manufacturing. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
- Knaack, U. (2007). Facades: Principles of Construction (1st Edition ed.). Boston: Birkhäuser Architecture.
- Rassia, S. T., & Pardalos, P. M. (2012). Sustainable Environmental Design in Architecture. Berlin: Springer.
