The Value of Aesthetic Beauty in Dwellings and Other Structures

Which is more important – the beauty of a structure, or its functionality?

Well, is there really any good reason why we cannot consistently combine both when building anything? Think of most English manufactured items of the 1800’s and early 1900’s, for example. They exuded a style which far exceeded that of most manufactured items today. A similar example would be the interior of the (fictional, of course) Nautilus in the Disney film version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The ornate décor within the submarine was typical of the Victorian period, and so much more interesting than the bland, industrial-looking interiors and controls on, for example, naval vessels of today.

Indeed, when looking at the structure of a magnificent banyan tree in nature, do we ponder whether its beauty outweighs its function? Or do we merely appreciate it for the shade and shelter it can provide, the wildlife-attracting fruit it produces, and its arresting beauty?

So why can’t buildings, vehicles, and other contrivances be made both beautiful and functional, as they often have been in the past? Many would hold that modern manufacturers like BMW consistently combine beauty and function in their vehicles, but other companies do not. And the great tropical plantation houses of the old Caribbean were well-designed for their local climate but at the same time were beautiful to behold. Modern buildings can be like this as well, with thoughtful design.

Living or working in a beautiful structure which meshes well with its environs can have myriad benefits for human beings. It can improve your attitude, give you extra energy, and even enable you to feel “closer to the Earth.”

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