Four Spaces to Recognize Architecture in Our Daily Lives

• Ronnie Gor

Architecture is part of our day-to-day lives. It contributes to how we live, work, feel, celebrate, and interact with one another and with the world around. You could easily break architecture and its elements and contributions to daily life into dozens upon dozens of smaller and smaller categories, but four main areas emerge when considering its impact: urban spaces, work spaces, living spaces, and religious/spiritual spaces. In some ways, each of these different spaces similarly affects our lives; however, each space is also uniquely designed to evoke certain feelings and serve a specific purpose.

To better understand what makes these spaces and the purposes they serve unique, let’s look at each one individually.

Urban Spaces

Here, we’re using “urban space” to represent an open, public space surrounded by houses or other buildings. Some of the greatest examples of these spaces are Italian piazzas in Rome and other ancient cities, but there are plenty of modern urban spaces, as well. These open spaces offer a visual and sensorial break for those traveling down the narrow, crowded streets of a city.

This openness alleviates some of the physical and mental stressors associated with the often-confined feelings of being in a busy city and encourages or enables different interactions. Seating areas, from public seating to open cafes and restaurants, offer places to rest and interact with other people, giving your body and mind a break. Most importantly – and maybe even most coyly – the simple act of moving from the narrowness of streets and sidewalks flanked by buildings to a large open space automatically creates a sense of freedom.

Work Spaces

Openness is similarly beneficial in the workplace. When we’re stuck at work, it can be easy to overlook how architecture affects our day, but it plays a significant role. Though we aren’t necessarily arguing for open offices (there are already plenty of studies about that concept), openness and natural light brings more connectivity between people and creates healthier places to work. In fact, some countries have laws requiring that all employees have a window to help maintain a connection with the outdoor world.

Living Spaces

At home, every room has a specific purpose, even in open floor plans, and there is often a rhythm to the organization and use of each space. This, of course varies from home to home because it depends on individual preference, but every room has unique requirements for size, scale, views, and quality of light. Circulation within the larger space – how we move from room to room and which rooms connect – also plays a role. In the end, everything relates to human needs. We are always striving to satisfy our sensorial and spiritual needs.

Religious/Spiritual Spaces

Unlike most urban, office, and living spaces, many religious/spiritual spaces focus vertically to create space and scale. In addition to directing our eyes skyward, this also creates an expansive feeling that helps uplift the soul. In a way, these buildings become a type of public space as they bring people together and offer a break from the day-to-day. Finally, spiritual spaces also play with natural light by either welcoming it openly or, more commonly, by filtering it in through narrow windows as a way of highlighting the brevity of time and life.

We could easily break these spaces into more specific categories, but even with these broader groups it’s easy to see the importance of architecture. It’s true that you may not consider some of these elements as you go about your daily routine, but we do because we can’t help it and we know the details matter.