The basic meanings of architecture are:

• Science of designing
• Professional services of an architect
• A general term describing buildings
• A style and a method of designing and constructing
• The architecture can be divided into:
• Ancient architecture – this school puts emphasis on the devine and supernatural (e.g. Egypt, Mesopotamia)
• Asian architecture – the architecture development differs from the one in Europe, it stresses natural landscapes because of religion: pantheistic religion
• Islamic architecture – it is dated from 7th century of Common Era (CE), it mixes the architecture styles from the Ancient Middle East and Byzantium
• Medieval architecture – the typical feature of this time is that craftsmen formed guilds to organize their trade mainly related to ecclesiastical buildings; any constructions were not attributed to specific individuals; another feature is that  the names of architects remain frequently unknown
• Renaissance architecture – it is based on the emphasis on the individual and humanity; buildings were ascribed to the specific architects (Michelangelo, Alberti); in this era there was no division between architect, artist and engineer
• Early modern and industrial age architecture – the architecture and engineering are separated at this time; new materials and technology appeared and are used; there is a rise of a so-called gentleman architect (he deals with wealthy clients only); it is also the time of the Industrial revolution which emphasizes mass production and consumption
• Modernism – this style points out beauty in simplicity in constructing; there is a rise ofthe profession of industrial design; this style is represented by Bauhaus school (e.gMies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer) as well as Organic architecture (e.g. Frank Lloyd Wright)
• Architecture today – nowadays architecture  requires a team of specialist professionals;  a profession of a design architect is separated from a project architect; architecture today  focuses mainly on architectural sustainability

Architecture

Architecture can mean:

• The art and science of designing and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
• The practice of an architect, where architecture means to offer  professional services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or a group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings, that have as their principal purpose human occupancy.
• A general term to describe buildings and other structures.
• A style and method of design and construction of buildings and other physical structures.

A wider definition may cover all design activity, from the macro-level (urban design, landscape architecture) to the micro-level (construction details and furniture). Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, environmental, and aesthetic considerations. It requires the creative manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow. Architecture also includes the pragmatic aspects of realizing buildings and structures, including scheduling, cost estimation and construction administration. As documentation produced by architects, typically drawings, plans and technical specifications, architecture defines the structure and/or behaviour of a building.

Questions

1. How many meanings of architecture are given in this article?
2. What designs are expressed at a macro-level?
3. Can architecture be a process as well as a product?
4. Name two examples of architectural documentation?

Answers

1. Five (plus a wider definition).
2. Urban design, landscape architecture.
3. Yes.
4. Drawings, plans and technical specifications.