As abstract and subjective as the concept of beauty is, it has captivated us throughout the ages, underscoring many of our human pursuits in art and design, and shaping the way we style our visual environment. Although underpinned by scientific principles, beauty fluidly molds itself to the prevailing standards of each culture and era, bringing grace to our surroundings and pleasure to the eye.
But what is beauty anyway? And how exactly does it influence us?
According to neurasthenics, a quite recent sub-discipline of empirical aesthetics, or the study of beauty, when we are exposed to surroundings and elements that our brain considers beautiful, dopamine, the feel-good brain chemical is released, increasing our ability to enjoy life and boosting our overall wellbeing.
In this article, we take a closer look at the role that beauty has played, and continues to play, in our lives, as well as its multiple manifestations, which add a layer of pleasure, ease, and excitement to our lives.
The golden ratio
Balance, harmony, symmetry, and proportion – these principles were considered essential by Roman sage and author Vitruvius, and exemplified by Leonardo da Vinci in his painstaking Renaissance work, the Vitruvian Man.
Vitruvius went on to outline three central themes when preparing a design for a building: firmitas (strength), utilitas (functionality), and venustas (beauty). So important were the rules of beauty in design that, in the 15th century, a book outlining the divine proportion – or golden ratio – was written by Luca Pacioli and illustrated by Leonard da Vinci. The book, which demonstrated the use of mathematics to define the rules of aesthetics in architecture and visual arts, was one of the first texts in history to draw the connection between the architecture of the body and that of the building. It also marked a milestone that took beauty from an abstract concept to a mathematical ratio that can be calculated and replicated.
Beauty in architecture throughout history
From the spectacular ancient Egyptian temples and tombs to ancient Greece and the days of the mighty Roman Empire, archaeologists and historians have peeled back the layers to reveal the importance of beauty in every level of daily life. The same principles of beauty shine through the grace, simplicity, and symmetry of Greece’s Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian periods. Meanwhile, in ancient Egypt, the vibrantly colorful papyriform columns added elements of the abundant beauty of nature and rich culture. Across the world, countries have pursued their own concept of beauty in the creation of their public buildings and private homes, fully aware of the role it plays in creating happiness for their citizens.
Shaping our lives through our surroundings
In the increasingly stressful environment that we live in, the quality of human life is a topic that we can no longer afford to shift our attention away from. It has become crucial that our urban planners and architects are fully invested, aesthetically and functionally, in creating spaces that resonate with the elements of good design while bringing a sense of light, space, and harmony into our world.
An important work by British philosopher, Alain de Botton, The Architecture of Happiness, focuses on the philosophical and psychological relationship between architecture and our identities. In his book, de Botton discusses the belief that where we are heavily influences who we can be, suggesting that architecture is a key to unlocking our full potential. By looking deeply into the philosophy and psychology of architecture, we are challenged to revisit the way we think about our homes, local environs, and ourselves.
Beauty meets sustainable happiness through AI
As we grow into our spaces, we are often held back by redundant design features, poor use of space and light, and materials that do not resonate with the environmental needs of a planet that’s battling for its own survival. A recent study conducted by Mohamad Nadim Adi of Texas State and Mais Aljunaidy of University of Alberta, entitled Purity of Essence in Architecture explores the idea of ‘living architecture’, which suggests that buildings can have ‘souls’ as well as grow and evolve with their inhabitants. It further proposes that buildings.
can have empathy with the occupants, enhance their energy and efficiency, and optimize their living, working, and downtime to harmonize with their moods and preferences, rather than that of the designer.
“Purity of essence in architecture means creating a building with what can be described as a functional soul that can engage with the user in intelligent conversation, rather than the purity of form, which may create a stunning building, but one that lacks soul and will eventually become obsolete,” the study elaborates.
While such ideas may have once been considered far- fetched, the prevalence of AI in our lives stretches our capacity to believe in possibilities that were once deemed impossible.
Today, we are facing a future of design where, rather than simply debating the virtues of form over function, we can envision how ‘intelligent’ architecture combines with time-tested practices to create buildings with their own beauty, rewarding occupants with aesthetically appealing, responsive, interactive spaces that excite, inspire and nurture.
Where we are heavily influences who we can be, suggesting that architecture is a key to unlocking our full potential.
