This essay purposes to shed light on the impasse that architecture is currently experiencing. The essay argues that the way out of this impasse, out of an architecture-of-the-moment is by a comprehensive understanding of the historical roots of architecture. Each period has tended to choose from the past those elements that harmonized with its specific ideas and aspirations. Contemporary architecture seems to have become de-rooted from the past. The essay starts with a definition of creativity and the importance of image-creation as constituents of an architecture expressive of human identity. Different architectural periods are briefly examined while emphasizing the role of particular monuments as historical references albeit out-rooted from a contemporary architecture that is expressive of the chaos pervading today’s societies. |
