You are surrounded by architecture. Every building, at some point, will have started as an architect’s vision. And that vision will be a mix of their imagination, the influence of other architects, as well as the use of the building, and even what the architect or their clients want to say.
When all that combines, architecture can have a huge impact and come to represent far more than a building design. Think about the difference between the garrets of Paris and the skyscrapers of Manhattan, but how both contribute to create two very different, but very exciting, cities.
And architecture can be divisive, both culturally and practically. A building might be celebrated for its design by some, and hated by others. While its impact on an area might be welcomed by some, while others may mourn the buildings or community that it replaced.
Looking at some arguments about architecture provides plenty of ideas for essays. You might want to consider how successful an architect was in accomplishing their vision. You could also look at things more critically, for example, comparing the potential that existing buildings had, and how that compares to the newly designed building that replaced them.
The history of architecture also provides lots of inspiration. You might review how building technology has changed architectural styles. Or even how architecture often reflects on its own past, returning to previous design trends in much the same ways as clothing fashion often seems cyclical!
And if you were looking for a more imaginative take, you could consider the social impact of architecture. In many cities, you can see hundreds of years of design in just a short walk, and each building will have a lifetime of stories to tell. Can today’s buildings, which can be much harder to maintain, survive in the same way as now protected historic buildings, and will they have the same lasting impact?
Architecture occupies a captivating crossroads, straddling the realms of form and function, artistry and engineering, bestowing upon us a semblance of enduring stability amidst our transient existence. Consequently, it presents you with a myriad of essay possibilities, as rich and varied as the architectural marvels that grace the global landscape.
If you still don’t know how to start, essay examples on this page may help you set your thoughts and start writing.