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The Connection Between Art And Architecture: The Beauty of Synergy

December 27, 2022

Table of Contents

Art and Architecture share a blurred and yet beautiful relationship – a relationship that transcends time and space. It is one of the oldest relationships, which has one elemental thing in common: they both visually communicate a complex mixture of thoughts.

This relationship is one which has travelled across centuries and yet has a spark which makes it special. Art and Architecture share many aspects in common, and these combine to make the connection between them unforgettable. Read on to find out in detail about the same.

Is Architecture an Art?

Architecture is not only considered an art, but it is regarded as the ultimate form of art by many. It requires so many disciplines to design a structure, and most of those steps are intrinsically artistic in nature. Hierarchy-wise, it occupies the top slot as far as the arts are concerned, by a vast majority of the consuming audience.

Architecture and Art have a deep connection that resonates with authenticity.

a photograph of the grand arch adorned with Islamic art at the Blue Mosque of Tabriz in Iran

How Do We Define Art?

Art is a medium for the visual representation of beauty, technical aspects, or abstract concepts which depict creative or imaginative essence. This broad definition includes the creative capacity of transforming the mundane into the sublime. Such definitions also mean art covers more than painting, sculpture and architecture; even the digital creations we see today are considered art.

How Do We Define Architecture?

Architecture is the process of creating buildings, which includes functional and aesthetic components. It brings together an entire gamut of professionals who come together to craft a master plan, which synergizes input of building material and a logical design process leading to the output of a properly constructed building. This end-to-end process defines architecture and its beauty.

Art vs. Architecture: Abstract vs. Practical

Art is a creative process that negates the necessity to be practical or to incorporate rigorous rules. Art has manifested itself in many forms such as music, sculpture, paintings, and pictures. Architecture, on the other hand, is typically a three-dimensional physical construct. While art represents creative freedom and breaking the norms, architecture always has certain practical forces behind it. The practicality is further enforced by the famous phrase of Louis Sullivan, Form Follows Function, which many architects had diligently followed for decades since the beginning of the Modernist movement. The purpose and the functions of the building should be the starting point and the main essence, while everything else is secondary. However, the avant-garde style of the late 20th century saw architects embracing the art in architecture. The building is no longer a machine: the art in architecture has allowed architects to use artistic expressions to shape the emotions of its users, creating a sense of comfort and community.

Additive and Integrated Art

There are two ways to create opportunities for art and architecture to coexist in a project. The first is additive art, meaning that the artwork comes in after the project is done. It’s best done during the planning stages, where a client might bring in an art consultant to discuss the opportunities to add art into the space. Blank walls for hanging canvases, vaulted spaces for sculptures or a statement lighting fixture, or even exterior walls that might be great for a mural are just a few examples. In this tactic, the architecture creates space for art.

The second approach is an integrated one, the art in architecture quite literally. This absolutely needs to be done during the early stages, as the art is part of the architecture itself. For example, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Campus Parking Structure in Willowbrook, California, an artist was hired to do an installation that was the main feature in the façade. Thousands of painted aluminium panels speak to the history and community, while also creating a standard for public art on campus. In the best project, the architecture can support art and vice-versa.

Find more innovative facades here - 10 Fascinating Parametric Facade Design Projects From Around The World.

How Are Architecture and Art Similar?

Both art and architecture are designed with the same basic organisational principles, aesthetically based elements, and perceptual interaction in mind. When we look at art and architecture history, we notice that many individuals were both architects and artists as there is much overlap between the two principles. Architecture and art are both culturally and historically significant.

How Does Art Affect Architecture?

Art is the defining principle behind Architecture and its organising principles. Artistic merit is an important aspect which determines how good of an architect you are. Art is the process of creating a beautiful and harmonious environment, and constructing buildings is an important and essential part of this process. Without art, architecture is incomplete.

An exterior view of The Safdarjung Tomb Mausoleum in Delhi, India

Difference between Art and Architecture

The main difference between Art and Architecture is that Art is a process of creating things of extrinsic value through emotional or aesthetic appeal and Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing, and construction. An architect may or may not consider art in architecture, but he/she can still design and plan construction for a building that is responsive and effective in design.

The appreciation for art is creating a change in the architecture scene, blending art and architecture through a mixture of digital tools. Parametric design is an example of exploring artistic creativity blended with technology for better building design .

Do You Need Art for Architecture?

Yes, art is needed for architecture. As reiterated earlier, the designing of a product or system requires artistic principles. Art also enables the mind to see things differently and to have a counter-intuitive approach, which determines the foundational essence of architecture as well.

A Connection that can’t be explained

Despite the differences between Art and Architecture, it can’t be denied that there is a connection which binds these two disparate forces together. And it just continues to grow with time, and consolidate itself into an unbreakable bond. This relationship brims with potential at the advent of technology, but that is another story altogether. Keep an eye out for the next story on our Resources . In the meantime, if you want to create aesthetically pleasing and functional buildings, Master Computational Design with real-world application to create art and architecture at the same time.