As society deems it so important for architecture to remain strongly linked to culture, it is hugely important to grasp some sort of understanding of what this really means and why there is now such a reverence for ‘culturally sensitive’ design. Perhaps it is a reaction to the globalization of the 20th century; a way of attaining a regional identity that is in danger of being lost through generic international designs, or an indicator of climate responsive design. These could be considered as primary motives, but what does it mean to participate in culture and architecture.
In essence, cultural awareness within architecture can be considered as simply an element of ‘designing for site’, as is a buildings structural features or environmental response As with any element of the design process, culture should be fully analysed and understood before it becomes useful.
This leads to the two central points in Amos Rapoport’s ‘Culture, Architecture and Design’ (chapter 7), that culture is a concept in which the built environment is but only a small part. It is only from the dismantling and analysing culture (or, more particularly, a culture) can we understand the notion to an effective degree. This signifies perhaps the most important point in ‘culturally sensitive’ design; it should be explored beyond a mere derivative, vernacular aesthetic, by responding to behaviours within a culture. Rapoport outlines culture as a composition of ideals, aesthetic, meanings and lifestyle (among others) which shapes the built environment, as well as being influenced by it.
Though, before all of this, an architect must consider if their work will be determined by cultural norms, or if architecture is a form of self expression sterilized from all other possible influences.
To merely copy what are seen vernacular forms is contradictory to modern architecture. Architecture is indeed a form of individual expression; though it is also an outcome to a problem guided by many things, including culture. An imaginative and effective response to the constraints is vital to good architecture.
