Architecture is constantly changing in order to keep up with humanity’s ever-changing requirements. From the need for shelter and safety and security to the need for comfort and beauty and technology, there are many reasons why architecture changes over time. Throughout history, one can trace development and progress through how architecture changes over time, tying architectural change to humanity’s advancement. Here is what you need to know about some of the reasons why architecture changes over time.

Factors Affecting Architectural Change

Architecture is as prone to trends as anything else, some of which don’t leave a lasting impact, but rather, are fleeting dalliances in change. Others, however, are revolutionary and affect the very future of architecture. From how buildings are used, to environmental changes, to historical impacts such as with war, politics, and religion, there are many reasons why architecture changes over time. Here are some of them.

#1. Construction Materials

The materials available and the materials used greatly impact architectural design. Throughout history, architecture has been affected by what construction materials people have had available to them, from thatched straw roofs in England to clay roof tiles in the Mediterranean to adobe homes in the American Southwest. What kind of materials architects had at hand has affected architecture and how it’s changed.

As people have interacted with each other and influenced each other and as they’ve learned more and more about what materials are good for what, as trade has expanded, as new materials have been discovered, architecture has changed over time. Architects have shared with each other what materials are good for what part of the structure, how long they last, how cost-effective and efficient they are. Now, there is a push for greener construction materials, which is changing architecture as we speak. 

#2. Function

Functionality of buildings has changed as technology and needs have progressed. One of the key driving factors behind why architecture changes over time is function. Its purpose is to serve humanity’s needs, and these are ever changing. Throughout history, you can trace the function buildings were expected to provide through their architecture. Over the past century, during the advent of technology, architects have needed to change their designs in order to accommodate for ever-updating technology, such as plumbing and HVAC systems and electricity and more. 

Buildings nowadays are meant to be both comfortable and useful. As society has progressed, so too have the different kinds of buildings that we need. Theaters, cinemas, schools, homes – depending on the function the building is expected to provide, the architectural design changes. The design of a school is very different than the design of a ballet school. Function, both in what the building is expected to provide and in what it needs to be functional, has affected how architecture changes over time. 

#3. Solve Problems

People are constantly finding ways to solve problems that we may not even realize are there. Part of why architecture changes is to solve problems. For example, if a building is very dark, architects devise ways to change architecture in order for it to be lighter. If it’s very cold, they look at materials, and what materials could provide better insulation. Architecture is constantly changing in order to solve problems as we realize them and as they arise. 

#4. Environmental Factors

Climate change is a major problem, and one architecture has a significant influence on. As climate change worsens, architects look to ways to make more sustainable buildings. This includes using alternative materials that are more eco-friendly, repurposing old buildings, and being more conscientious in their designs. 

The environment also affects architectural change in how the environment itself changes. A house in a very hot climate has different requirements than one in a very cold climate. This is changing as the climate changes, ergo, affecting architecture.

#5. Criticism

Everyone and every industry changes with constructive criticism. One of the main reasons why architecture changes over time is due to the criticisms people have over designs. As architects work to problem solve, architecture changes to accommodate the needs that have been voiced and to fix the issues that have been raised. 

#6. Historical Factors

All one needs to do to see how humanity has influenced each other is to look at architecture. Architecture relays culture, it relays history, it relays religion. Buildings that have been built during war are different than those that are places of worship. You can see traces of one culture in another’s architecture as they’ve crossed paths over time. History, war, religion, politics, these are all factors that impact architectural change. 

Do You Need An Architect?

BGW Architects offers professional architectural services for a variety of industries, from education to churches. If you need an architect, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re happy to help. 

Many people assume that interior architecture and interior design are the same, but while they have many similarities, so many that people often use the terms interchangeably, the truth is that they’re actually quite different. Though related and though they work in tandem, there are instances where it’s better to hire an architect rather than a designer and vice versa. Here’s what you need to know about architecture vs interior design.

Architecture Vs Interior Design: An Overview

Architecture and interior design fuse together in order to make a pleasant, functional building interior that is both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. They’re very closely related, hence why people wonder at the difference between architecture vs interior design, but are too shy to ask outright in case the difference is either obvious or not at all. It’s easy for people who do not work with architecture or interior design to assume they’re essentially the same – it is not an uncommon question at all. 

When it comes to architecture vs interior design, the difference boils down to structure versus aesthetics. Architecture focuses on the structure of a building, making one that is functional, structurally sound, and beautiful, that utilizes space planning, lighting concerns, working with aspects such as HVAC, and linking functionality with design. Interior design focuses on the aesthetics of a space, making them fit with their preferred purpose and the environment the client is trying to cultivate with furniture choices, wall designs, color schemes, art, and more.

The Differences Between Architecture Vs Interior Design

In order to understand the differences between architecture vs interior design, it’s helpful to go over the responsibilities of architects versus those of interior designers.

What Architecture Entails

Architecture typically starts before the building is even built, as architects work with clients in order to determine the kind of building that they want, what they will be using it for, the plans for the structure, and how feasible said plans are with the surrounding environment and the materials available. 

Architecture certainly combines science and art, as architects design buildings that are meant to be both functional and aesthetically fit with their intended purpose. Architects need to work with cost estimates and timelines for their plans, abide by regulations and codes, and oversee the progress made at the construction site. 

At its core, architecture entails designing, reviewing the plans of, and the overseeing of the construction of structures. Architects are responsible for building a space that functions according to its purpose while being pleasing to the eye. 

What Interior Design Entails

Interior designers come into play once a space is ready to be utilized. They ensure that the inside of a building is both comfortable for people to spend their time in, and safe. The key difference between architecture vs interior design is that architects care about the buildings as a whole while interior designers care about what goes into said building. Interior designers choose materials for things like carpeting or wall paint or color schemes, and focus on details like floor layouts and lighting fixtures to cultivate an atmosphere that fits the client’s vision.

Interior designers are responsible for selecting colors that will work well together, what kind of furniture would work best in a given space and how best to arrange it for the intended atmosphere, as well as what paintings and carvings and decor would suit the space. For instance, you wouldn’t put loud, neon colors in a hospital room – interior designers take things like this into consideration so that the space fits its intended purpose.

Similarities Between Architecture And Interior Design 

There’s a reason why people ask about architecture vs interior design: they influence each other a great deal and have many similarities. An architect influences the choices an interior designer makes with how they design the building’s structure, which in turn affects how an interior designer would go about decorating the space and selecting the best layout for furniture and the like in it. The best interiors are ones where the architectural design and the interior design really flow well together, making it seem seamless and obvious that this is how a space should look.

Both architects and interior designers need to take into consideration things such as floor plans, interior details, flooring, interior elevations, hardware, and what a space’s intended purpose is. If you are building a new space, you’ll want to work with BGW Architects to ensure that it perfectly fits your vision, and then seek out an interior designer to add the finishing touches with furnishing and décor and the like. Contact us today to learn more about our architectural services and how we can bring your vision to life.

Climate change poses an existential problem, and how architects design their buildings plays a significant role in whether or not they worsen the state of the world or adapt to make their designs as climate-friendly as possible, lessening the impact of buildings on energy consumption. When people talk about climate change, you typically hear mention of going green in regards to cars and other forms of transportation, recycling, factory farming, fast fashion, and the kinds of ingredients used in your household cleaning products. You don’t really hear about how architecture impacts climate change.  

While all of those do affect the climate, and greatly, at that, architecture accounts for nearly half of the total carbon emissions in the United States. Here’s what you need to know about how architecture impacts climate change, and how this essential part of our everyday lives can both account for human needs and environmental challenges. It’s bracing to know that although architecture impacts climate change negatively, so too can it positively, as part of the solution for how we save this planet. 

Facts About Buildings And Climate Change

In order to look forward to a brighter future, we must first learn from our past. Buildings pose a complex challenge, since the most environmentally friendly building is one that’s already been built. As such, the goal moving forward with new designs is to make them carbon neutral, which means that they don’t contribute CO2 to the atmosphere through taking into account elements such as resources and materials used. Ideally, architects should aim for a carbon-negative building, which is one that actually removes carbon from the atmosphere.

A handful of facts about how architecture impacts climate change currently are as follows:

• Decisions being made in regards to saving money, regardless of the environmental cost, rather than how money could be saved in regards to making environmentally friendly choices, which is proven to be more sustainable for the environment and for your bank account in the long run. An environmentally friendly building is one that cuts down on your energy bills and functions on a long-term basis. 
• Continuously building new buildings as opposed to considering how old ones that have been abandoned or no longer serve an intended purpose can be renovated and re-constructed to suit different purposes.
• How the building is run in regards to HVAC, the windows used, and more. The operation of the building itself significantly affects how architecture impacts climate change. 

The Materials Matter

Sustainability in architecture is challenging because though it’s known that architecture impacts climate change, so many aspects and materials used in the creation of buildings both positively and negatively affect the environment. Concrete, for example, can bring down energy costs in buildings, which is a positive. However, it’s made with cement, which accounts for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, which is a negative. Thus, sustainable design leads to dilemmas that don’t always have a clear resolution. 

However, there are some materials that affect how architecture impacts climate change in a way that is more easily recognized as a positive over a negative, and these are materials architects should strive to use more of in their designs. Some of the carbon-neutral materials for sustainable design include: timber, stone, and other such natural materials. As science progresses, we are discovering new materials and ways to manufacture current materials to be carbon neutral, such as “sea concrete”, which is grown underwater via an electric current, and carbon-neutral aluminum and steel. 

Architectural Innovations

Architects are people who care a lot about making a positive impact on the world, so knowing how architecture impacts climate change, is it any wonder that they’ve worked to innovate ways to turn their industry carbon-neutral? The American Institute of Architects promotes using architectural improvements to neutralize the effect this vital industry has on the environment. 

Some of the architectural innovations designed to improve how architecture impacts climate change are:

• Rewilding takes into account how architects can use the biodiversity and ecosystems of the area they’re designing for to lessen the depletion of natural resources. 
• Reversible design plays into the idea of a circular economy, where materials can be reused so as to eliminate waste. This kind of architecture creates buildings that are strong, reliable, and serve their purpose for entire lifetimes, while ensuring that they can be deconstructed and the components utilized to build them can be reused.
• Biomimicry creates some of the most efficient buildings in how it emulates natural systems to replicate how plants take carbon out of the atmosphere.
• Retrofitting improves how energy efficient buildings are through making buildings that don’t need to depend so much on HVAC.
• Meeting Passivhaus standards, which refers to the Passivhaus Trust that encourages designs of buildings to be airtight and insulated, a key part of making buildings that are sustainable. 

The Hope Sustainability In Architecture Brings

Whether architects are designing new buildings or retrofitting an existing structure, it’s entirely possible to move to a future where architecture impacts climate change in a way that is more positive than negative, through the choice of building materials, the designs of the buildings themselves, the construction process, and more. Architecture and sustainability can indeed go hand in hand which inspires immense hope for the future. 

Expert Architects Serving All Types Of Industries

BGW Architects care a great deal about reducing long term maintenance and operation expenses in the buildings we create, lessening the impact of our architectural designs on the environment. We work collaboratively with our clients every step of the way to craft a building that suits your needs and brings your vision to life. To schedule your free consultation for your architectural needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!