Abstract
Architecture has always gone beyond apparent functionality. Architecture has always been
practical and meaningful, making it more than just a machine language. It's not just about
creating buildings that work like machines. It is a dynamic and fluid concept that evolves over
time and through many processes. Different approaches to resolving functional challenges have
created new architectural languages and styles.
Based on my academic project background, I pose the following question: What is want and
what is need? This always causes a conflict between the architect and the user. I've mentioned
some of the key aspects that influenced my design and will explain and compare them in my
article to reach a closer response to the subject of want and need. I have explained aspects such
as spatial quality, symbolism, context, and the breaking of traditional styles. Public spaces, for
instance, serve as communal areas that foster social interaction and civic engagement, and spatial
quality ensures comfort, accessibility, and a sense of place. Contextual considerations ensure that
buildings harmonize with their surroundings, respecting the existing environment and local
heritage, while Symbolism in architecture, which breaks away from the contextual style, imbues
structures with deeper meanings that resonate with the community. Meanwhile, breaking away
from traditional styles allows for innovation and the incorporation of modern technologies and
materials, reflecting the evolving aspirations of contemporary society. I will go from the scale of
urban planning to architecture to understand society's expressed desires and fundamental needs.
Lens or perspective to look at an architectural
work
Functionality vs. Aesthetics: Analyze how well the building performs its functional purpose while
maintaining visual appearance. Does it suit the user's needs while also being visually appealing or
meaningful?
Contextual Harmony: Analyze how the structure fits into its physical and cultural surroundings. Does it
adhere to local traditions, the surrounding environment, and the urban fabric?
Social Impact: Analyze how the building will affect the community. Does it promote social interaction,
inclusivity, and accessibility, or does it cause divisions and exclusivity?
Sustainability: Assess the usage of sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and how the building interacts
with its natural environment. Is it environmentally sustainable and constructed with future generations in
mind?
Symbolism and Meaning: Look for deeper meanings or narratives within the design. Does architecture
transmit a message or is it just attention?
Sub-Title and Structure of Essay
Discuss how architecture transcends simply functionality: combining practicality and
significance while growing through diverse techniques and forms. Introduce the essay's primary
question, the distinction between "want" and "need."
Understanding Want and Need in Architecture: Use daily examples (such as cellphones and
houses) to illustrate the struggle between wants and needs. Highlight how architects use
deliberate design to reconcile these demands and create new requirements.
Project 1: Redesigning Public Spaces with Vending Areas: Discuss how the design arose from
actual user needs (lower class in a congested metropolitan area). Investigate how the space
brings together diverse social groupings and adds both functional and social value.
Project 2 : Mandu Market: Explain how this project provided creative freedom, moving away
from regular routines to create a spectacular experience. Highlight the importance of volume and
symbolism in crafting the architectural narrative.
Project 3: Unnati - Revitalizing Roofs in Slums: Combine the philosophies of the previous two
projects to create a lasting impact while meeting basic requirements. Discuss how recycled
materials and higher roofs improve affordability and living conditions for low-income people.
Conclusion: Universal Architecture Experience: Consider the broader implications of
architecture, highlighting that design should serve the entire community, transcend social classes,
and ensure equitable access to beauty, utility, and innovation for everyone.
Literature Review - Poetics of Spaces
Gaston Bachelard investigates the close interaction between persons and their surroundings,
focusing on how settings evoke memories, dreams, and emotions. Bachelard believes that spaces
such as homes, attics, and corners are more than just physical structures; they are stores of
personal and community experience, with significant emotional resonance.
Bachelard emphasizes the significance of lived experience in settings, arguing that design should
create environments in which people feel a feeling of belonging and emotional connection. His
poetic analysis of settings encourages readers to contemplate how architecture may generate
sentiments of comfort, nostalgia, and inspiration.
In The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard investigates the emotional and psychological
influence of intimate places, which is consistent with the essay's emphasis on balancing "wants"
and "needs" in architecture. Bachelard's theory that rooms generate human memories and
feelings is relevant to your claim that design extends beyond usefulness, providing an experience
that transcends socioeconomic class.
Bachelard sees spaces as more than just physical surroundings; they are locations that affect
human experience, similar to how I address building spaces that balance utility with amazing
experiences. His focus on how areas such as corners, attics, and nests elicit deep personal
contemplation reinforces your idea that careful design can improve quality of life by fulfilling
both practical and emotional demands.
