Art enhances the human condition. What would our lives be without it? Music, paintings, sculptures, and poetry all make life worth living, but an often forgotten art form, architecture, is arguably the most important. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 87% of their life inside buildings. With so much time spent in and around structures it becomes increasingly important to understand the best way to build them. Marco Vitruvius is a Roman architect from the first century BC, best known for his work ‘De Architectura’, where he lays down the golden rules for architecture. Known as the Vitruvian Triad: firmitas (strength/durability), utilitas (usefulness), and venustas (beauty) are the three criteria that have been followed for thousands of years. For architecture to be considered ‘good’ it must meet all three principles. There are countless styles of architecture to be found all across the globe that have evolved over the course of history. Modern architecture has seen drastic changes compared to its classical counterparts but are these changes a mistake? Classical architecture is of higher quality than modern because it reaches all three aspects of the triad whereas modern architects does not.
First of all, when it comes to firmitas classical building styles blow our modern forms out of the water. To be able to withstand the elements in which a building is built and remain in good condition over a vast number of years is incredibly important; there is no use in building for the short term. Works of classical architecture often took decades and even centuries to build, and because of that craftsmanship and commitment these structures have stood the test of time. Visit any country in Europe and you will find beautiful old-fashioned buildings in great condition. But here in the United States, we see buildings that are barely a hundred years old falling apart. One such example is the Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit. Built only 108 years ago in 1911, it is in ruins, crumbling further to the ground every day. In the past we designed buildings to last forever and they have. The Great Pyramids of Giza have stood for 4500 years with no sign of them collapsing anytime soon. It’s hard to believe that our buildings today will ever see the year 6000. Filipino architect, Harry Sorreta estimates that modern glass and steel skyscrapers will last no longer than 250 years before dying of natural causes. What’s even more sad is that once we have no use for such buildings, we are likely to tear it down before it even begins to deteriorate.
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This brings us to the second criteria, utilitas, how well buildings serve their intended purpose. Modern architecture executes this extremely well, building it seems for the sole purpose of utility. In modern styles architects are not concerned with beauty or longevity but with economy. Instead of designing buildings they calculate them to make the most money, which is evident from just looking at them. From the outside most skyscrapers and office buildings are nothing but large glass rectangles. An example of this is the Seagram Building in New York City, the headquarters for a Canadian distillery built in 1958. The epitome of functionalist architecture, the Seagram building along with many others were built with one thing in mind function. When it comes to classical architecture, the function is not only met but exceeded. St Peter's Basilica in Rome is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. As a church it accomplishes its inherent purpose with ease. But because of its beauty and age it takes on another, tourism. People, both catholic and not, travel all across the globe just see and witness the beauty of this piece of art themselves.
Art is important in our world for the beauty it adds, shown in Vetruvius’ final criteria venustas. Beauty is a fundamental cultural value that is essential in human lives, when we abandon beauty in our architecture we are giving up on the best parts of life. What we see as beautiful and what we build should be one in the same. The buildings around us have the ability to either uplift or dampen the human spirit. Modern architects are indifferent to their fellow man, choosing to ignore the deep human need for beauty. Philip Johnson, a famous modern architect echoes this feeling in an interview: “What about the people? Don’t you care about the people at all?” The answer is no, of course. I mean I respect the scale of a human being, but the people themselves? What have they got to do with architecture?
To think that people have nothing to do with architecture is a blasphemous statement. Without people there would be no need for architecture at all. A majority of modern works of architecture lack beauty and any true craftsmanship. What we build is a reflection of ourselves, it is impossible to separate art from the artist. So, what do modern buildings say about us and our culture: ugly, boring, and simplistic. Classical architecture features intricate designs, beautiful spires, and sturdy columns. That beauty inspires us, to live and work in pieces of art makes people happier and motivates us to work harder and better. But to spend our lives in gray concrete boxes does nothing but depress the human psyche.
When it comes to the criteria Vetruvius laid out for us, classical styles of architecture meet the requirements with ease. As true artists, architects of the past created strong, beautiful, and lasting structures that will never lose their importance. Whereas many architects of the present build only with concern for its usefulness. To build structures that last and inspire us with their beauty is difficult and takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. But it would be more than worth it.
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