Architecture and Literature

RCHITECTURE IS SOCIAL FORM OF A

WHILE LITERATURE IS VERBAL
Various Forms of ART are related to one another in future as
they are all rooted in the manifestation of magnificence.
On one hand there is Architecture with its realization of ideals
within the domain of visual and intuitive conception and on the
other is Literature with its depiction of elite thoughts in the
realm of intuition.
The two have always been wedded in a marvelous exchange,
functioning as one inimitablearena of realization and depiction of
the magnificence of the universe.
Architects employ lines, forms and colors to express their
imagination while Poets and Authors use the words , phrases ,
paragraphs to express themselves.

ART

ARCHITECTURE
FORMS
COLORS

SHAPES

LITERATURE
WORDS

LINES PARAGRAPHS

POEMS

PHRASES

SHARED CONCEPTS
AND TERMINOLOGY

ATMOSPHERE / SPACE
FORM OR SHAPE
STYLE
IDEA

ATMOSPHERE / SPACE
A common aim in all form of ART is to
create /fashion a spiritual
atmosphere and space is of
particular significance in
architecture,
An architect makes all efforts in order
to create a variety of spaces in such
a way to suggest a variety of
atmospheres, just as done by a piece
of poetry in creation of mystical ,

FORM OR SHAPE
Form is a feature that brings about
harmony between elements.
In Architecture shape refers to 3
dimensional , material mass of an
object that features a certain weight.
While it is usually used to talk about
the outerline of the structures.
In literature Form is outer structure
of a literary work.

STYLE
Style is the process through which
thoughts are expressed . Styles of a
certain art, individual, era , nation ,
community, religion are certainly
used to express their thoughts in the
form of architecture and literature.

IDEA
Idea is the initial tendency of mind towards
expression of certain thoughts. In both
architecture and literature it plays an very
important role. In Architecture it represents
to the evolution of shape, certain patterns ,
solving of a problem, creation of a spce
and designing the overall outline of a
structure, whereas in literature it
represents the evolution of new phrases,
generes, poems, stories, safarnames etc.

HOW ?
We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us. - Winston
Churchill

The Analogy

The Derivation

For literature and architecture, the events leading up to World War I

seemed to result in a recapitulation of the perception of nationhood
for European nations. Once perceived as largely separate and
distinct entities, European nations, concurrently affected at the
same time by WWI, seemed to suddenly work through the same
cultural movements. However, the combination of these movements
began long before WWI. Aptly framed by David Spurr in Literature
and Architecture, the "crisis of modernity" thus begins with the
deterioration of common values and of the notion of the universal
meaning of history, giving way to narratives of individual
development. The common held values established based on
nations and borderlines began to disintegrate when these notions
became contested, not when WWI broke out. Still, while WWI is not
wholly responsible for these parallel shifts, it does serve as a
catalyst for making explicit the parallel stylistic movements
European nations were going through. This exhibit will look
specifically at European literature and architecture in tandem in
order to examine these movements over time. In doing so, we are
able to observe the nature of influence between literature and
architecture here as a positive feedback loop - literature and
architecture is as much influenced by the movements of their time
as themselves influencing these stylistic movements.

THE VITRUVIAN MAN

Examples

The Char Bagh Concept

In Islamic style of architecture, the garden is not just another feature
but has a well-defined meaning and it symbolizes the spirituality.
According to the Holy Koran, a garden is symbolic of paradise. In
Islam, it is believed that there are four rivers in paradise, one of
water, other of milk, the third of wine, and fourth of honey. From this
concept the Charbagh style of garden planning took root.

THE GARDENS AT TAJMAHAL

The garden that starts from the

end of the main gateway and
ends near the squared base of the
mausoleum is an integral part of
the Taj Mahal structure and is,
undeniably, one of its major
highlights.
This garden, filled with flowers,
fruits, birds, leaves, symmetry,
and delicacy, served many
functions along with portraying
strong symbolic or abstract
meanings about paradise. A
paradise which, according to
Islamic beliefs, consists of four
rivers: one of water, one of milk,
one of honey, and one of wine.
And it is from this concept that
Char Bagh of Taj Mahal originated.
Also, the symbolism of the garden
and its division are noted in the
Islamic texts that describe
paradise as a garden filled with
abundant trees, flowers, and
plants.
The trees of the Taj garden are
either that of Cyprus (signifying
death) or of the fruit bearing type
(signifying life) and even they are
arranged in a symmetrical

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.archdaily.com/412709/when-literature-turns-intoarchitecture
http://art-chitechture.com/exhibits/show/literature-influences
http://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/9780472071715-toc.pdf
http://oasejournal.nl/en/Issues/70
http://www.cwejournal.org/vol10nospl-issue-may-2015/architectureand-literature-links-and-similarities-an-outlook-over-nasir-khosrowssafarnameh/
http://cac.mcgill.ca/nobbs/publications/articles/litertureandarch.pdf
http://www.tajmahal.org.uk/taj-garden.html

 Pyramids
Concept of chaar bagh