Architecture is both a science and a visual art, shaping human environments through design, theory, and cultural expression. It blends utility with beauty, reflecting history, philosophy, and the professional expertise of architects.
An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the condtruction of buildings.
Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings and other physical structures. It is distinguished from mere construction by its emphasis on aesthetic expression, cultural meaning, and spatial organization. As a visual art, architecture communicates ideas through form, proportion, light, and material, much like painting or sculpture.
Classical theory emphasizes Vitruvius's triad, which includes commodity (function), firmness (structure), and delight (beauty). Modern theories integrate philosophy, psychology, and technology, exploring how space influences human behavior and how design reflects cultural identity. Architecture often balances artistic creativity with scientific precision, making it a unique hybrid discipline.
In ancient architecture, Egyptian pyramids and Greek temples emphasized monumentality and harmony. Medieval architecture contributed Gothic cathedrals which showcased verticality, stained glass, and spiritual symbolism. Renaissance architecture included figures like Brunelleschi, who redefined the role of the architect, emphasizing perspective and proportion. In modern and contemporary architecture, from Bauhaus functionalism to postmodern eclecticism, architecture reflects evolving cultural and technological contexts.
Types of modern architecture include residential (houses, apartments, housing complexes), religious (churches, mosques, temples), civic/public (museums, libraries, government buildings), commercial (offices, malls, hotels), industrial (factories, warehouses), and landscape and urban design (parks, city planning, infrastructure).
The roles and practices of an architect include design (creating plans that balance function, safety, and aesthetics), project management (coordinating engineers, contractors, and clients), innovation (integrating sustainability, new materials, and digital tools), and cultural stewardship (preserving heritage while adapting to modern needs).
Professional requirements of an architect include education (a professional degree in architecture), licensing (passing exams such as the Architect Registration Examination in the United States), skills (technical knowledge, artistic vision, communication, and problem-solving), and ethics (commitment to public safety, environmental responsibility, and cultural sensitivity).
Architecture is not only a building, but also a visual art that embodies human culture, history, and imagination.
Recommended Resources
American Lighthouse Foundation
The ALF is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 to preserve lighthouses. Headquartered in Rockland, Maine, the organization currently has thirteen chapters with stewardship over thirty-two lighthouses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Its mission, leadership, and contacts are featured on the website, along with its responsibilities, membership levels, locations, schedules of events, projects, and an online shopping area.
https://lighthousefoundation.org/
American Society of Landscape Architects
The ASLA is a professional association for landscape architects in the United States. Established in New York City in 1899, its mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship. The Society bestows various awards to professionals and students annually, its lifetime achievement award being the American Society of Landscape Architect Medal. Membership levels and licensure information are provided on the website.
https://www.asla.org/
Established in 2016, ArchEyes is an independent online architecture and design magazine that curates global projects and editorial features focused on "timeless" architecture, and mixes project galleries with original editorial content such as studio visits and cultural features. The website includes project features and photo essays showcasing completed buildings and interiors with descriptive captions and images, along with interviews, and curated selections.
https://archeyes.com/
Architect Magazine (ARCHITECT) is a trade publication for architects that publishes industry news, in-depth features, project case studies, practice guidance, and product/technical coverage on its website. The magazine is designed to serve as a primary outlet covering architectural design, practice, technology, and awards for architectural professionals, offering a mix of short news items, longer feature essays, project profiles, and other resources. Its print edition ended in late 2023.
https://www.architectmagazine.com/
Archnet was conceptualized at MIT in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and has been maintained through collaboration between the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, it has evolved into a leading online architectural library for Muslim cultures. Archnet is an open-access digital library and research platform focused on architecture, urbanism, landscape, and visual culture of Muslim societies, offering thousands of images, and publications.
https://www.archnet.org/
A static, volunteer-maintained archive, the site is a free, contributor-driven photographic survey of Asian architectural heritage with over 54,000 photos covering nearly two thousand sites across more than twenty countries. Also known as Oriental Architecture, the long-running archive presents original photographs, historical descriptions, and site information for temples, monasteries, palaces, and vernacular buildings across Asia, listed by country. Contributions are accepted.
https://www.orientalarchitecture.com/
Association of Licensed Architects
The ALA is a US-based professional organization focused on supporting licensed architects, especially those in small- to mid-sized firms, by offering continuing education, networking, and business-focused resources. Membership categories for licensed architects, associates, and seniors are featured on the website, its primary members being licensed architects registered in any U.S. state or foreign jurisdiction. The ALA publishes the "Licensed Architect" magazine.
https://www.alatoday.org/
The long-running, photo-rich educational website focuses on American arts and crafts architecture, featuring over 300 house photographs, historical background, and restoration examples created and maintained by Ken Lonsinger. The site presents a visual guide to Arts and Crafts, Mission, Craftsman, bungalow, foursquare, and related styles from 1890 to 1925, with an emphasis on photography as its core resource, pairing images with historical context and restoration notes.
http://www.craftsmanperspective.com/
Floorplanner is a web-based tool for creating 2D and 3D floor plans and interior designs, offering a free tier for casual use and a credit/subscription model for higher-resolution exports, 3D tours, and professional features. It is designed for homeowners, real-estate listings, and small design teams who want quick visualizations without heavy CAD software. Its primary use is to draw accurate floor plans, furnish rooms from a large object library, and generate 3D views and walkthroughs.
https://floorplanner.com/
Designed to produce a blend of illustration and architecture, Illustrarch was founded in 2019 with the stated mission to "ignite passion for architecture among students and the public" by showcasing global student projects and practical learning materials. Besides its website, Illustrarch maintains active social media channels (Instagram, YouTube, Linktree), which are linked to from their website. The site curates student projects, design articles, and presentation resources.
https://illustrarch.com/
Metropolis is a long-running U.S. architecture and design magazine focused on sustainability, innovation, and ethics in the built environment. Its website publishes projects, profiles, viewpoints, and resources for design professionals and enthusiasts. Based in New York, the magazine was founded in 1981, and publishes print and digital content, emphasizing climate, equity, and future-focused practice. Subscriptions, renewals, and advertising opportunities are available.
https://metropolismag.com/
Royal Institute of British Architects
RIBA is a UK-based chartered professional body that advocates for architects, runs awards and event, offers membership services, and publishes guidance for practice and the public. RIBA advances architecture through advocacy, accreditation, awards, collections, and member services, representing architects, students, and practices both in the United Kingdom and internationally. Membership levels and benefits, professional guidance services, awards, exhibitions, and events are featured.
https://www.riba.org/
Active since 2002, Skyscraper City is a long-running, global online forum for skyscraper, urban development, and city-planning enthusiasts, With thousands of sub-forums and millions of posts, viewers can browse threads, regional forums, and topic hubs (such as Supertalls, Highrises, and Infrastructure), while members can participate in the discussions. It is powered by Fora, a customized platform built on top of XenForo. It is also available as a mobile application.
https://www.skyscrapercity.com/
Society of Architectural Historians
Created in 1940 and headquartered in Chicago, the SAH is an international, not-for-profit organization that promotes the study and preservation of the built environment worldwide. Originally named the Society of American Architectural Historians, its members include architectural historians, architects, landscape architects, preservationists, students, professionals in allied fields, and the interested public. It is developing an online encyclopedia of architecture called SAH Archipedia.
https://sah.org/
