_Environmental Influence on Culture_ ‘-‘ *_*

Throughout tutorial discussion, there has significant amount of dialogue devoted to the culture of Queensland, and more specifically Brisbane. It is clear that there is that there are buildings that are appropriate to environment; environmentally/climatic responsive design, and that climate influences greatly lifestyle. Certainly in Queensland it is apparent that climate, and subsequent lifestyles, is indeed the stimulus for architecture. Again, the discussion leads into the examination of the relationship between culture and the physical environment, and in a much broader sense what culture is. Whilst this problematic to define, we can say in the most basic of terms, generally Australia’s is an ‘outdoor’ culture and buildings, such as those counted as Queensland vernacular, fully portray this. Many however don’t, and their lack of social relevance is evident.

Conversely, in /this/ article, Shûji Takashina depicts modern Japanese architecture as being both applicable to Japanese culture and the “universality” of modern architecture. “To take just one example, the open quality of Japanese domestic architecture - not only a practical response to the hot and humid summers but also a manifestation of the close relationship with nature traditionally valued by the Japanese people - is receiving renewed attention in our age of environmental awareness….At the same time, one distinguishing characteristic of Japan’s modern era is the periodic resurgence of traditional elements and values. While this phenomenon is apt to be interpreted as half-baked modernism by Westerners, it should be seen instead as modernism taken in a new direction.”

Criticising architecture, Robin Gibson /declared/ several decades ago that much Australian architecture is becoming decreasingly relevant, citing “the ugliness of bad conscious design". In the post-war period, many buildings were erected all over the world that followed a similar outline; to be both time and economically scarce. I live in a unit block best described as a brick box, and is very inappropriate to climate and the activities we, as occupants, ask of it. There is no verandah or balcony, making an outdoors-focused lifestyle difficult. [Once more however, this discussion is at risk of over-generalizing and classifying behaviours through cultural stereotypes.] In these terms environmental factors among others, depending upon cultural values, are fundamental to the form of a building and thus impacting on its users lifestyles.