November 27th, 2016: Students from the School of Architecture and Design at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) have hosted an interactive symposium to debate the use of style in architectural design.
Hosted by senior architecture students, Craig Muyambo and Faisal U-K, the event brought together faculty and students in a lively discussion focusing on if and how style should be incorporated into building design.
Providing their expert insights as part of the panel were Chair of Architecture, Mr. Steve Denyer; Associate Professors, Dr. Hamoud Dekkiche and Dr. Constantin Spyridonidis; and Assistant Professors, Mr. Florian Techel, and Ms. Carla Arias.
The discussion opened with an exploration of the different styles of architecture across era, mainly divided into Epochal, Regional and Individual design. The panel considered urbanization, the challenges of building in cities, and social change, which led to changes in design approaches. They looked at examples across ages, from Medieval towns in a feudal society and the commune of Palmanova in an egalitarian system, to styles in Fordist and post-Fordist societies.
Students Craig and Faisal opened the debate about style within design, suggesting that architects should build this dimension into their work, while insights from the experts revealed that there was a range of other factor to consider.
Mr. Denyer said, “Architecture is a reflection of a society. Style cannot be dictated by an architect, but by the place and culture and society it is based in.” While Dr. Spyridoni added, “The question should not be should we build in style, but rather, what style should we build in?”
Contributing to the debate, Mr. Techel and Dr. Dekkiche suggested that in the current age, a set style of architecture cannot be used to build, while Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Hazim Al-Nijaidi, added from the audience, “Build the style, don’t build according to a style.”
Moving the debate forward to consider environmental concerns, Ms. Arias noted that ecological aesthetics are gaining popularity in architecture across the world and diversity in the natural environment should be used, and architecture style should be about the humans who will live there.
Delivering a concluding message from the panel, Dr. Hamoud Dekkiche appealed to the students who work on projects with the aim of pleasing their professors and to score an A+. He said, “Build your own style, don’t follow others, if you aspire for an A+, don’t work to please me, instead, challenge yourself.”
Mr. Denyer added, “However, you have to know the rules before you break them”, saying that the dictates of place, society and culture can be difficult to reconcile in a place like Dubai.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A among students and a display of their wide-ranging works, from building design, interior design and urban planning, to freehand art and fashion design.
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