Presenter: Derek Stevens, College of Architecture and Engineering Design, Architecture
Authors: Derek Stevens
Faculty Advisor: Brandon Ro, College of Architecture and Engineering, Architecture
Institution: Utah Valley University
In the ongoing war between modern and classical architecture, there is one battle that never seems to end. At the root of this architectural carnage is the question “Should a building fit into its context or stand apart from it?” As we are faced to live with the by-products of such a conflict, the answer to that very question has become clear. Buildings that fit within their context promote a strong sense of place. Within every city is a sense of place. An experience that is unique to it and it alone. It is an experience that reflects the ideals, history, and aspirations of a community. Which is manifested in its architecture. When a building seeks to fit within this context it builds upon what is already there to fortify the character and overall meaning of the buildings around it. It does this by using similar architectural motifs and ornament, similar scale and proportion, as well as similar material and construction. All these elements come together to promote the singular voice of the people that build it. However, when a building doesn’t seek to fit into its context it disrupts the conversation of the buildings around it. If more and more egotistical builds are built, the city becomes at risk for losing its voice and true self. By comparing cities that have a strong sense of place with ones that don’t, we will analyze how the architecture of one differs from that of the other. In hopes of more clearly understand how contextual architecture can promote a strong sense of place.