Technology and Architecture

Technology and Architecture

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Technology and Architecture

Introduction

Architecture has always been greatly influenced by technology . From the use of stone to the use of space age materials , Architectural style has been deeply tied to scientific development of new materials and construction methods . There have been variations of styles within a certain `material era ' such as the `stone era , `wood era , `concrete era ' and `metal era , but this change of style within the era merely serves to satisfy the Architect 's constant need to

invent . There is actually not a necessity for this change . We are now still in the `metal era ' but progressing towards a new type of era , which is called the `plastic era . With advances in material science buildings can be made out of reinforced plastic , a new breed of designs would emerge and this is the future where Architecture is heading . Architecture should not be defined by a differentiation of styles

Architecture , technology and cultural spirit have been important factors in the development of architectural form for centuries . Their changing influence has altered the way architecture was built , conceived of and understood . Seen as a continuum , the 19th and 20th century 's historical development of architectural form provides us with glimpses towards the future of architecture and architectural form as it relates to our contemporary context . As we attempt to embody the ideals shaping our epoch , we become the inheritor of their ideas , becoming more informed to develop a form truly representative of our contemporary context

18th Century

Central to the Enlightenment of the 18th century was the belief in unbounded human progress and the notion of reform that aided in moving architecture beyond the ideals of Classical and Renaissance architectural theory . This belief in progress coupled with the impact of technology sponsored new architectural speculations liberating architecture from traditional styles . These new explorations advanced the way buildings were built , conceptualized and inhabited (Kostof

The Industrial Revolution , with its rapid advancements in science and technology , created a new breed of patrons , generated unique problems and supplied innovative methods of construction that suggested new forms . Industrialization altered patterns of daily life , leading to new building tasks . The emergence of railway stations , suburban houses and skyscrapers allowed exploration into new architectural forms for which there was no obvious connection or precedent with past forms (Kostof

The rapid migration from rural to urban settlements introduced unsanitary and dangerous living and working conditions . The emergence of social critiques of the moral and political conditions demanded that architecture engage these new social and technological realities brought on by industrialization . Rejecting imitation of past forms and desiring to provide a more direct or honest portrayal of contemporary life architecture was to be used to anticipate a better future

Although the idea of a modern architecture had existed prior to the 18th century , the ability for a modern architecture to match the advancements of technology and a new definition of daily life proved to be a pivotal dilemma for architects...