» Architecture

Before you enter a building, stop a minute and take a look at the type of architecture that went into designing that building. When you think about it, it is crazy when you realize just how much time and effort went into that creation. Architecture can take on many forms and styles, so every time you see a new building you are seeing something new that an architect created. For one reason or another, they built this structure to look and function in a specific way. Typically, a building is built in a specific way to serve a practical use. Usually, buildings are meant to protect humans and objects from whatever natural elements are occurring throughout the year in whatever location they are built on.

Since there are so many types of architecture from all over the world since way back when, I will only focus on some specifically American architecture. Just like any other trend or style, American architecture has changed dramatically and quickly over the years based on appeal, practicality, and innovation. The earliest forms of architecture in America were colonial styles. These structures were influenced by the different cultures living in America from the mid 1600’s to the mid 1800’s. For practical reasons, most of these colonial houses had a sloping roof, central chimney, casement windows, and a very basic square floor plan. These houses had to be built like this to protect from the weather since heating and air conditioning did not yet exist.

The next style of architecture you would see in America was the Romantic and Victorian styles. These came around in the late 1700’s through the early 1900’s. These styles were a bit fancier and often had rounded rooms, elaborate door frames, balustrades, Palladian windows, trim, porches, columns, and pointed roofs. Of course, these are not all the features during this time, and any one building would probably not have all of these particular features. However, it is obvious that the architecture during this period was beginning to become a little less practical and a little bit more of an art. No longer were houses being built only to live in but also to look at and admire.

Following the Victorian style of architecture is the modern style. These houses were popular until the late 1900’s and are still around today. The features on modern architecture would often include a low pitched roof, broad eaves, open floor plans, ranch style houses, split-levels, and bungalows. The houses many of us grew up in were most likely modern American architecture. Also, during the modern period apartments began being built and used in order to save space. Often, these large buildings were built out of glass, concrete, or brick.

Today, the newly emerging trend in architecture is postmodern architecture which explores bringing back architecture from the past and merging it with new styles and trends. This type of architecture began in the 1970’s and continues through today. To the postmodern architect, he can do what he wishes. He has no limits with his work. Whenever you see a building that seems different and crazy it is probably postmodern. There is usually and “sleek” look to their buildings while they also incorporate a number of elements from the past.

All of these different styles of architecture have been a part of America’s history and culture and they all came about for a reason and served a specific purpose. So, the next time you walk into a building take a minute and notice all the different styles and features that went into the building of that structure.

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To put it simply, architecture is the science of construction. A good structure should have three qualities. It should be durable, have high utility value, and appeal to aesthetics. Every piece of architecture that is created has a story to tell. In fact, history is based on them. Ancient civilizations have been researched with the help of the classical architecture that were stumbled upon. A lot of perception of a country is made on the basis of the structures or the planning of the same. A city with higher buildings for example, screams that the lack of space is a major issue.
 
However, as one travels to witness the architecture in the suburbs of any city, the trend seems to be the opposite. Structures begin to get lower height wise. Structure of a mall within the heart of a city and the regular shopping area would definitely be different even though the culture of the users is the same. An airport or the terminal stations will always be constructed on the outskirts of any place. A residential area will be starkly different from a commercial one. Even within the parameter of residential areas, there will be distinct difference between a poor, middle class, and posh locality architecture .

Again, all it takes is one look at the structures. One can perceive about the cultures also looking at them. The colors used on the buildings talk about the characteristics of the inhabitants. One truth of life that cannot be avoided is we live to own a home that will hold our stories forever.

Ancestral properties and dispute over them are the most common cases that go to court almost every day round the world. So here is one aspect of life that attracts attention in every step of life, whether consciously or not.

Architecture Of North America
American architecture is known for its diversity. Being a young nation, modernity is the underlying design with sky scrapers being a typical sign.  Settlers having moved in from world over, it has been influenced by many cultures like Spanish, English and Greek, just to name a few.

The skyscraper is an American innovation that has become the order of the day across the globe. Traditional works of architecture like long houses, wigwams, tipis, and hogans belong to the era of Native American dating back to the late sixteenth century.  Post that, a lot of Polynesian heritage evolved leading to the beginning of the era of European structures with Hawaiian architecture coming in.

The 1862 Homestead Act made a huge impact to the settlement of the country. The law, offering a farm to any adult male who agreed to cultivate it for five years and then build his property on it, brought in the growth of homesteads of a particular rural pattern.

A steady evolution through the times and many more influences brings us to the latest innovation known as the skyscraper. This is a blend of conventional decorative elements coupled with the latest technology. In modern architecture , one can increase the heights as long as the area of each tower floor is reduced to one fourth of the ground floor area of the building.

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Architecture has been an integral part of various civilization. When one studies the history of a civilization or society, the architectural aspects are always studied. Architectural aspects provide great insights into how people lived and they also reflect their thoughts during a particular time.

Architecture has always been an important and respected career option. Architects were greatly valued for their knowledge and services in the past, and to our surprise, the case is not different today.

The job of an architect is to design buildings and other structures. It is also their job to ensure that they are safe, functional, and economical. It is the job of an architect to focus on the design, feasibility, esthetics, and ergonomics of a building.

Career Options
Today the architecture field offers great career options to aspirants. Some of the career options that one can find in this field include

• Architectural historian
• Journalist specializing in architect
• Marine architectural expert
• Building contractor
• Interior designer
• Landscape designer

Career options in architecture are fulfilling not only in monetary terms but also creative term. Most interns start with a salary of 28,000 USD. With experience one can start his or her own architectural firm or become a partner in one. Those with their own architecture firms or those who are partners in a firm earn millions of dollars.

Skills Required
Quantitative, analytical, organizational, designing, budgeting, communication, and problem solving are some of the skills required in architectural field. There are three types of degrees offered in the architectural field. One can go for a five year Bachelor of Architecture program. This is right for those who want to study architect right after high school.

Degree Programs To Become An Architect
Those who already have an undergraduate degree in architect or related areas can further specialize in a 2 year master architect program. Those who have degrees in other fields, but now want to pursue a career in architect can opt for a 3 or 4 year master programs in architecture .

License
In order to practice architect in USA, one needs to be licensed. In order to earn your license, you would first need to earn a professional degree in architecture . Most states require you to earn your professional degree from a university or college accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board NAAB. Then you would need to complete your internship. Then you need to pass all the relevant Architect Registration Examination ARE. Most states require you to renew your license after a certain period of time.

Upon completing an architecture degree, one can take up a job in an architectural firm or join a government agency. One can also work as a freelance architect. With experience, a licensed architect can gain managing position in an architecture firm. They will then be given the duty of managing and designing an entire project. Many architects go on to establish their own firms or become partners in a major firm.

However, you wish to advance your architectural career, there are always lots of options available to you. With a career in architecture you will be well off money wise and also have creative satisfaction.

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Architecture is something that, just recently, has begun to baffle and amaze me. I think a lot of the times we will look at a building and take it for granted, without bothering to think about the thought and ingenuity that went into it. I would certainly plead guilty to this on numerous occasions. Yet, we will go to an art museum and ooh and aaah over all the paintings and sculptures. How is architecture less of an art than either of these art forms? In fact, I would almost go as far to say it is MORE of an art form because I would say it usually takes longer, requires more thought, more hands, more materials, and more effort.

Now, I am not an artist, so I cannot sit here and argue this standpoint from an artist’s point of view. I also am well aware that what I am saying is extremely subjective; after all, art in general is a very subjective thing! But, I definitely believe that architecture is an art form. Just like any other art form it tells a story and is created by humans. I also don’t believe that just anyone can create architecture. I would put money down that the person or people behind an impressive building or other physical structure have a rare gift and talent.

I grew up in St. Louis, so I always took the Arch for granted. It is pretty cool looking, and it represents our city, but think about the architecture that went into that monument! I remember watching the video on how they created the Arch when I was a little kid, and it was no piece of cake to create something so unique and huge! It took over two and a half years just to build, is 630 ft. tall, and is hollow on the inside.

When I think about cool architecture , of course I naturally think of the Arch first because I am so familiar with it, but unique architecture goes back so far that nobody is exactly even sure when it began! The Great Pyramids of Egypt go back to the third dynasty, and those were all created without any of the modern technology we have today (obviously). And don’t forget the castles scattered throughout Europe which began being built over 1,000 years ago. Think about the architecture that went into those with the towers, the archways, the gargoyles, and the pillars!

Architecture started interesting me more when I took a class on postmodernism, and we looked at how different art forms such as literature, photography, and architecture are becoming more postmodern. Postmodern artists are continually experimenting more and more with what they can do and ways to do it. Some buildings, if you think about it, are beginning to look less practical and more artistic. The architect’s true style and artistic expression are beginning to be expressed. For example, take a look at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which is located in Spain. I don’t think anybody could argue that that building is not an art form in itself.

I guess my main point is that you do not need to go to an art museum to see and appreciate art. It is all around you in the architecture you see every day. So, the next time you see an interesting, pretty, or unique building stop and look at it. You just might like what you see!

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Any big city you go to is most likely going to have huge steel, iron, and glass buildings that stand stories in the air and tower over you. These building create a look of impressiveness and greatness and make cities today look the way they do. You might feel overwhelmed when you first encounter a city of magnitude because of all the looming buildings which are, for the most part, pieces of modern architecture.

If you have been to a big city, you probably have noticed that most of these looming grey buildings all look pretty similar to each other. Sure, they are not all the same height or color, but they all have similar traits. This is because the traits are features of modern architecture.

Modern architecture was established primarily after the Second World War for a number of reasons. At this point in time, many different developments were taking place with engineering and technological advances. Architects began to experiment with iron, steel, and glass, for their buildings, which has continued through today and are very popular in the building of modern architecture. Plus, during this time corporations and huge businesses were beginning to come about and it was necessary to have large buildings to meet their needs. Obviously the simplest way to build large buildings is to create a very simple structure and build it as high as needed.

Modern architects wanted to do away with ornamental design and make their buildings simple yet impressive. This began a whole new shift in the typical style of buildings in America to modern architecture which, before that were focusing on the international style where buildings are elaborate and ornamental. Although these international buildings might look prettier and fancier, modern architecture can be just as impressive. Skyscrapers are the very defining buildings of what modern architecture is all about.

Although buildings in America today are composed of a number of architectural styles, modern architecture has just as much, if not more presence, than other architectural styles. Whenever you think about America, big cities will probably come to mind, along with all the modern architecture that makes them up. This architectural style is by far the most practical, convenient, and impressive style of architecture for the lay out and plan of a city in order to fulfill all the needs that cities do.

Around the 1960’s there began to be some criticism of modern architecture because it was accused of being boring, lacking, universal, and sterile. Many thought it did not have enough personality to convey the feelings and culture within a city. It is important to remember that all forms of architecture have their meaning, place, and purpose. Although modern architecture might not have the most personality as other forms of architecture, it has a purpose and serves a function that other styles of architecture would be unable to. It is necessary in our culture today and makes up who and what America stands for.

Appreciating all the different styles of architecture as art, including modern architecture, is important because all of them make up America. America is a melting pot in every way, including the various forms of architecture that exist within it. Understanding the different forms of architecture and how they are important and why they are unique is important in understanding the history and culture of America.

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