Is Beauty a Function? The Case for Aesthetics in Architecture and Design

In a contemplative essay, the writer posits that beauty serves as an essential element in architecture and design, beginning with a personal story about a nondescript hotel room. This introduction transitions into an exploration of Roger Eberhard's photography series 'Standard,' which underscores the diminishing local identity. The piece also references the 2018 publication 'Beauty' by Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh, asserting that beauty enhances life quality. It contrasts historical craftsmanship with contemporary mass production, invoking Louis Sullivan's 1896 principle that "form follows function." The author critiques the rise of uniformity due to the elimination of local constraints, citing Reyner Banham and Ernesto Nathan Rogers. Roger Ulrich's 1984 research provides empirical support for the physiological role of visual experiences. The essay wraps up with Thomas Heatherwick's 'Humanise' campaign, initiated in October 2023, promoting human-centric urban design.