Learning from History of Architecture

Architectural history shows us some similar trends across regions and periods. Whenever there has been an introduction of a new ‘material’ in building construction; artisans and architects have tried to use them in a way they used the older materials. We humans try to impose previous knowledge on anything ‘new’ we encounter. If you look back at history lanes in architectural development you will find how much influence an old style has on anything new. When stone was introduced in construction along with wood the type of carvings done on stone was a clear reflection of the carvings done on wood before. Not even that; the kinds of shapes in wooden architecture also influenced the shapes of stone architecture buildings. Another great example we can find in Buddhist rock cut cave architecture – Not only the carvings but also the use of pillars was influenced by previous styles. As we know that rock is monolith and one doesn’t need pillars to make it stand. With only time do we understand the true potential of any new medium/material.

To some extent it has been true to even UI design. With this a new medium (UI) we tried to impose different known understandings to build our designs – metaphors, 3D environments etc. But sometime we forget the fact that we are dealing with a different medium altogether. They have their advantages but also create that much more problem for us. We need to understand that it a new medium, which has its own qualities. Rather than looking and forcible molding different medium for it we should understand the uniqueness of this medium and design for it. I know these are noble thoughts and easy to say and write but difficult to do. But the only thing I’m trying to do it to mold my attitude towards this thought. Cautioning myself to judge the need and utility of leveraging other older knowledge to suite UI design. Previous understandings of other fields do help in some situations but it should not be overdone. The attitude and approach should be to design for UI (new medium) and not to look for metaphors in architecture, fine art etc. every time.