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What is architecture? In the Merriam-Webster dictionary its written definition
states that architecture is “the art and science of designing and erecting buildings”. But is
that statement completely accurate. Is it telling the whole truth about this thing we call
architecture? Just by simply reading that definition do you feel as though you a complete
understanding of those twelve letters.
Our society’s values are constantly reflected in architecture, but they are also
shaped by it. Even though we constantly reflect our values in it, we ignore its essential
value to our existence. Architecture is the structural backbone that helps the world keep
order.
Ever since the brink of mankind, we’ve been depending on architecture for
survival. Way back in early BC the absolute first form of shelter was a cave. This is when
the word ‘cavemen’ came into play, which we use to describe our more primitive
ancestors. But a mere cave was just the beginning. In order for early civilization to
evolve, architecture had to as well.
Soon after caves, people began to migrate and built their own form of shelter. The
first big step away from caves was the ‘tent’. Since there wasn’t any hi-tech machines
back then and limited materials, they built what was known to be ‘natural’ tents. They
used the natural resources around them, such as “empty tree trunks, mud and leafy
branches” (History of Architecture). By 8000 BC tent like structures evolved involved
into round houses.
Using “mud bricks, baked until hard in the sun. And the roofs still used a tent
style with leafy branches and mud. The floors excavated into the ground, and both the
floor and walls were plastered in mud” (History of Architecture). In 6500 brick and stone

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became more common, “also a step up from outside to keep out the rain” (History of
Architecture). Around 200 BC cement was created using “sand, water and clay was
bound together by lime” (“History of Architecture”). They later turned cement into
concrete by adding “small fragments of volcanic rubble” (History of Architecture).
In Rome 100 BC underground aqueducts began being built, introducing
plumbing to the world. Society began to create different ways to mold and shape there
resources, which in a result improved structures of buildings tremendously. But as
humans and their surroundings evolved, so did their cultures and religious beliefs. Late
100 BC Buddhism and Hinduism began to form. This caused people to feel as though
they needed a special place to exercise beliefs, and these places became known as
‘temples’ or ‘churches’.
They expressed their passion for their religion with huge buildings and unusual
designs. During 1200-1500 AD; “they began incorporating ‘stained glass’ in the church
windows” (History of Architecture). Things like this were used to gain attention, present
something pleasant and sway people to towards religion. But even some things that
seemed as though they were just for show had some interesting purposes. Such as
‘gargoyles’: stone statues usually in the form of a weird creature that were used as a scare
tactic.
They were supposed to represent evil spirits and “encourage pagans to embrace
the religion” (Gillespie, Evan). But it also played an important architectural role. Inside
the statue’s mouth is a spout that runs through the whole structure, which also connected
to the roof. “These monstrous waterspouts directed runoff away from the walls of the
building, keeping the water from falling down on the heads of people….and damaging

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the walls and foundation” (Gillespie, Evan). A form of architecture that served various
purposes while expressing ones idea. In other words gargoyles were a one of the earliest
forms of ‘symbolism’: using a symbol of some sort to represent something of
significance or value to ones belief.
To this very day, everywhere you turn you can find symbolism in some shape or
form. ‘The Statue of Liberty’ for example, “the utter power and grace of her posture has
given the U.S. a symbolic mascot that will forever display the power, wealth and freedom
of this great nation” (The Sym of the Statue of Liberty). Specific beliefs can even be
expressed in little details of the sculpture. “The seven rays of her spiked crown symbolize
the seven seas and continents” (The Sym. of the Statue of Liberty).