Architecture and decoration: from differentiation to integration

Architecture and decoration were originally two inseparable aspects in the modern architectural system, but with the deepening of the division of labor in society, the two have gradually moved away. With the increasing refinement of the industry, buildings and decorations are often separated, designed by different designers, and constructed by different construction teams.

In response to this increasingly common phenomenon, Wang Gang, the founder and chief architect of Urban Elements (Beijing) International Architectural Design Co., Ltd., said in an interview with reporters that architecture and decoration will be integrated again in the future.

Decoration and architecture are a whole

In the early days of architectural development, there was no distinction between architecture and decoration. Hundreds of years ago, whether it was East or West, the interior and exterior of the house and even the garden and furniture needed architects to design. The "Three Masters" of the Renaissance: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, with multiple identities such as scientists, artists, and architects. At present, such a masterpiece may be difficult to appear.

In traditional architectural education, a very important course is architectural history. For an architect, the study of architectural history is a compulsory course. In terms of the history of architecture, that is, the history of human development, architecture has no distinction between "inside" and "outside".

Ke Wei, founder of Chiasmus Design and Architecture Studio in the United States, said: “Decoration and architecture are essentially the same. Architecture is decoration, and decoration is architecture. Decoration is something that comes from human instinct, just like a child holding a paintbrush on white. Painting on the wall, painting on one's body, etc., is an instinct, not acquired, decoration is to make beautiful things more beautiful. So I think that architecture and decoration are essentially the same. "

Social division of labor separates architecture and decoration

Architecture and decoration are originally integrated, but with the intensification of social division of labor, decoration has gradually been artificially separated from the building.

Han Liwei, general manager of the Design and Research Center of Beijing Honggao Building Decoration Engineering Design Co., Ltd. said: “A building needs to be coordinated internally and externally from the outside to the inside. The difference in division of labor is due to the limited experience and ability of people; on the other hand, everyone With different starting points, real estate manufacturers hope to sell their houses, while architects hope to combine nature's search with people's needs through architecture."

At the same time, there are certain historical reasons for the separation of architecture and decoration. Architecture is firstly combined with lifestyle. After World War II, a large number of houses were destroyed, and more commercialized and industrialized buildings were needed to meet people's needs. In addition, the industry at that time had reached a relatively developed stage, so modernist architecture came into being, which made the elaborate decoration and industrialized architecture gradually "divide".

Wang Gang said: "After the misunderstanding happened, it produced a lot of disharmony, inappropriateness and even negative effects."

The challenge of modernism

In 1908, the architect Luce published an article titled "Decoration and Sin", the central idea of which was to oppose decoration that has no functional significance. Luce believes that decoration is no longer organically linked to our culture, and can no longer reflect cultural connotations. The decorations made today have nothing to do with us, and have nothing to do with the world order. In this regard, people cannot help but reflect, what exactly is decoration?

100 years ago, many traditional things began to split, and modernism was born. Luce's thoughts also emerged at that time. He believed that all decorations were evil and opposed decorations that had no functional significance. He believed that any decorations were hypocritical. However, this trend of thought has a very strong background. At that time, Europe had experienced wars for a long time and needed a lot of new houses to live in. When the economic conditions were not good at the time, it was a crime to spend money on unnecessary decorations. .

Recalling the trend of thought at the time, Ke Wei said: “Such debates exist now, but the idea of minimalism seems too extreme. Making a house is like making a movie. It doesn’t have to be modernism or a genre. Some movies are Modern, some are traversing, some are funny, and some are thought-provoking. As long as it is the pursuit of beauty, we should affirm it."

Architecture and decoration merge again

Regarding the future of architecture and decoration, Wang Gang believes that the two must merge again. Although after the industrial civilization, the social division of labor has become more detailed, and many sub-industries have emerged, but if there is no macro understanding of the whole, the development of the industry will be hindered, especially when the times have reached a certain stage.

Wang Gang believes: "Division of labor is a fast-paced, market-oriented need, but every designer and architect should make it clear that I am a part of this group army and everyone must have a high level of overall understanding. Designers can do it. Furniture can also be used for lighting, accessories, or architecture and structure. However, many people tend to ignore what they are doing in the busy process, but take the process as a goal. This is very One wrong thing. Just like in a restaurant, there are chefs, pastry chefs, dishwashers, and waiters. Our goal is to have a table of dishes, including the shopkeeper who greets customers at the door. This table is inseparable. part."

"I think that in the future, architecture and decoration will be integrated again. This is also my wish." Wang Gang said.