A Query on the Impact of Place on the Formation of Iconic Buildings in Architecture

ABSTRACT: Places are demarcated with their different characteristics. Generally, socio-cultural, historical, ecological, technological and human attributes define the places and their architecture consequently. Throughout the centuries, the power of place on the development of architecture is known and respectively experienced. Even, in modern times when there is a limited attention to the local/contextual characteristics, creating places and making the environment meaningful are considered by some of theoreticians and professionals in Architecture through the phenomenological approach, which is an opposition to abstract and mental constructs. However, phenomenological approach is not limited only with place and site characteristics. Other than focus on site, it also focuses on tectonics qualities. Architectural detail is taken to explain and identify the character of the environment. Sensuous qualities of materials, light and colour are blended with the symbolic meaning of structural details. In fact, this is the understanding which considers architecture as an existential foothold on the earth. Today, iconic building which can be considered as the existential foothold, dominated most of the cities in the world. It is the building embodying place characteristics to create and design the place to make it phenomenal and capable of radiating uniqueness inherent in its location. The buildings which are identified with their places and conceived as iconic buildings are usually appreciated not only by professionals but also societies. The finesse and flare of Sydney Opera House is an undeniable thanks to the fact that it incorporates the environment by virtue of its strategic position at the centre of the Sydney harbour. It perfectly matches the landscape thus giving its identity and uniqueness in its own setting. On the other hand, Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is the example of the use of architecture for place-making. The museum has brought hope to the citizens and city officials on urban regeneration and employment opportunities. The third case is the Gherkin tower in London. It has sparked great interest for its design and its attention to issues regarding sustainability. This great iconic building has clearly become a national pastime that strikes they eyes of tourists as well. In the recent period, a mix of timeless archetypal and trans-cultural influences is combined through an architecture which is conceived as an act of art and application of technology. In general, a combination of authentic tectonics and material, a blend of poetry and humane flavour that radiates ambitions for society and the experience of the individual, is what great architects of today seek to project an iconic building. However, it is a great curiosity to know if they are considering phenomenological understanding of architecture and its appreciation of the specific qualities of place. In this respect, this study aims to understand architectural characteristics of iconic buildings under the impacts of place and site attributes. It particularly focuses on the architectural characteristics that let the development of architecture of cities. The research will attempt to uncover the iconic buildings as a formal device developing the architecture and society of city. Under this scope, the study will proceed from the phenomenological understanding of architecture and its appreciations of specific qualities of place. Then, the meaning and concept of iconic buildings will be searched by referring to different implementations in Architecture. Then, certain iconic buildings which contribute to city identity and architecture will be selected and analyzed in the light of phenomenological understanding. Keywords: Architectural design, place, architectural and iconic characteristics. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………