Masters Stroke: Matters of Architectural Language

Experiencing a great work of architecture is like reading an excellent piece of literature. It engages senses through ways in which various aspects of architecture cohere into a meaningful, emotionally charged encounter. It is not surprising that language and architecture have been used as analogies for in many ways. Often phrases like ‘language of architecture’ are used for describing expressive and tectonics qualities in the oeuvre of great architects. The studio explored works of selected architects and tried to decipher their unique architectural vocabulary. Students learned to derive distinct architectural attitudes of selected architects through analysis of their work. These attitudes were tested intermediately through small design problems and later modified when employed to design a project in a different context. In order to develop skills and sensibilities to approach design through lens of ‘language of architecture’, the studio facilitated students to engage with great works of architects.