What Makes Good Architecture?

2016 was the Year of Architecture and the Dundee Institute of Architects (DIA) was privileged to contribute both locally and nationally. This was a year-long celebration of the best of architecture in Scotland leading up to the finale of the Festival of Architecture in Dundee. So what makes good architecture? In the first century BC, Roman architect and author Vitruvius published his ten books on architecture which have been a point of reference ever since. These included the definition of three elements which combine to make a good, well-designed building. Translated into English in 1624, these elements are Commodity, Firmness and Delight. Commodity captures how well the building works. Does it make it easy, or easier, for people to live, work or play in it? Are the spaces and functions in the building connected in a logical and easy to use way? Firmness means how sound the building is. Is it structurally and technically well designed? Does it keep the weather out and the heat in? Is it well built and will it last? Delight is the magic that an architect can bring to a design. Whether it is a major civic landmark or an individual house, a building should be more than a joined up collection of building materials. An architect uses light, connections of spaces, massing and volume, colour and texture, and possibly some very clever or quirky detailing to make something that people react to. Good architecture can be uplifting and can also maybe make people smile. If you have a building project in mind, speak to an architect. The Dundee Institute of Architects represents chartered architects in Courier country—Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire. If you go to the website www.dia-architects and click on “Find and Architect” it will take you to the RIAS directory of architects. You can then define your search by area or category. Current president of the DIA, Diarmid McLachlan, said if you are going to build something, make sure you design and build it properly. Speak to one of our architects. You might just end up being delighted.