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The man-made environment is the built enviroment which
includes of course not just architecture but other items
such as infrastructure (e.g. roads, drains, street furniture,
signages, etc.). The quality of all these shall of course
contribute to a quality built environment. However for purposes
of brevity in this report, the quality of the built environment
is firstly directed here to architecture.
Brielly, architecture exists for either one or a composite
of the following reasons:
- as a functional enclosure
- as a symbolic enclosure (e.g. cultural)
- as a financial investment
The primary function of architecture is to provide an enclosure
for man's activities (whether for his habitation, for commercial
uses, for
manufacturing, etc.. This enclosure must be effective in offering
protection to the climate and providing an acceptable level
of internal comfort. It controls the physiological well being
of the users.
Architecture has also a symbolic utility, and the level
of importance depends on the building's purpose and function.
For instance a National Museum will have an important symbolic
role which needs to be shown on the outside of the building
and for which a higher amount of the building budget needs
to be allowed for. Whereas a simple factory need not have
any symbolic function as it is only an enclosure for a manufacturing
activity. However, an enlightened client may decide the
importance of symbolism for his factory for marketing purposes.
All buildings exist as an investment of money of one sort
or another and to a greater or lesser extent depending on
the building type. For instance, a hotel or a secretariat
building exists as a long term investment and hence a larger
budget might be set aside for maintenance equipment for
the building, for materials of greater durability and engineering
systems that may have higher initial costs but will give
long term savings, lower maintenance and require less replacements.
Most buildings are a composite of all the above three reasons,
some to a greater extent than others. When combined, architecture
is evolved which presents a monument which is functional,aesthetically
pleasing and lasting. Therefore, it is important for an
enlightened commissioner of buildings to be aware of the
above three reasons for building and to budget appropriately
for all these three factors and not just for one alone.
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