Architecture, among many others, is surprisingly an indefinable term. It is everywhere around us and still, we find it very hard to define it. Why? Can we not call it just building? Throughout the years there have been different statements and definitions of architecture. One of them, which astonishingly is not uncommon, is of Ruskin, as recalled by Thomas Jackson. He regards architecture as being simply ornament added to a building. Another similar definition given by Fergusson views architecture as embellishment without any structural necessity.
Jackson appears to completely disagree with these statements. He tries to shed light into what architecture really is. He begins to do so with Vitruvius' definition, of architecture being a science that involves great discipline and great knowledge of all arts. Vitruvius believed that architecture is made of two elements, practice and theory and that they can not be without one another. Jackson goes on to explain how these two were combined by the prehistorical man, instinctively, without much thought. The roots of architecture can be traced during this period, when man started to build according to his needs and comfort. The very beginning of architecture, was necessity and utility.
But because art and beauty are essential parts of man, unconsciously, he began to build not only out of comfort. He started to think of building to please his eyes as well. And so, gradually, there was a revolution in architecture. Not only were people getting better at building, upon the basis of practice and theory, but they started to add something into their craft. That something was and still is what makes architecture not just mere building and not just ornament. The aesthetic was made part of architecture. I think this aesthetic, this beauty is as important as building, as practice and theory. Hence why architecture is in the middle of two opposing poles, science and art.
Even though it's very difficult to give an accurate definition of architecture, I believe there is no falser statement that that of it being just an ornament. Architecture is far from being an accessory. But it is also far from being just construction. If it were so simple, it would not shape our would so beautifully.
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