1.

According to ARCON, architecture can be defined as the art and

science in theory and practice of design, erection, commissioning,
maintenance and management and coordination of allied professional
inputs thereto of buildings, or part thereof and layout and master
plan of such buildings forming a comprehensive institution,
establishment of neighborhood, as well as any other organized space,
enclosed of opened required for human and other activities.
Architecture is an art because it has to do with a lot of creativity,
and at the same time, it is a science because there are principles
that guide and help channel properly the creativity involved.
Architecture doesn’t stop at designing. It also involves the setting up
of what was designed, commissioning of the design, maintaining and
managing what has been set up. Architecture doesn’t involve only
the efforts of an architect. Other professions could be consulted.
Architecture doesn’t deal with buildings alone. It could be enclosed or
open space. It just has to be organized.
2.Architecture has to do with planning and designing form, space and
ambience to reflect functional, technical, social, environment and
aesthetic considerations. It requires the creative manipulation and
coordination of materials and technology, and of light and shadow.
3.According to the Oxford dictionary, architecture can be defined as
the style in which a building is designed and constructed, especially
with regard to a specific period, place or culture.
Architecture reflects the level of civilization of a people. From
looking at a building, one is able to guess when a particular structure
was designed. Islamic architecture for example began in the 7th
century incorporating architectural forms from the ancient Middle
East and Byzantium, but also developing features to suit religious
and social needs of the society
5. According to the Cambridge English dictionary, architecture can be
defined as the style in which buildings are made. Architectural style
is characterized by the features that make a building or other
structure notable or historically identifiable. Styles emerge from the
history of a society. New style is sometimes only a rebellion against
existing architecture such as post modernism meaning after
modernism which has in recent years found its own language and split
into a number of styles which have acquired other names
4.Architecture is the profession of designing buildings, open areas,
communities, and other artificial constructions and environments,
usually with some regard to aesthetic effect. Architecture often
includes design or selection of construction work, and the
examination, restoration, or remodeling of existing buildings
According to Marcus Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the
three principles of firmitas, utilitas, and venestas, commonly known
by the original translation – firmness, commodity, and delight. An
equivalent in modern English would be durability, utility and beauty.
It means a structure must be solid, useful and beautiful
Durability: a building should stand up robustly and remain in good
condition.
Utility: it should be suitable for the purpose for which it is used.
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, architecture is the art or
practice of designing and building structures and especially habitable
ones. Architecture has to serve humanity in some way.
Beauty: it should be aesthetically pleasing. John Ruskin says that a
building is not truly a work of architecture unless it is in some way
“adorned”. For Ruskin, a well-constructed, well-proportioned
functional building needed string coursed or rustication at the very
least. Architect Le Corbusier wrote “ You employ stone, wood and
concrete and with these materials you build houses and palaces, that
is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly you touch my
heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say: This is beautiful. That
is architecture”.