Man is the Measure
Units of measurement were originally based on the human form. Distance was regarded by the length of our arms and weight by how much a man could carry. The fact that the meter is defined today as “the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second” shows how far our modern world has advanced and how far away from the original meaning and use of these concepts we have come. The ideals of large and small are vague, and are viewed as such only by us in relation to our own bodies. As humans, the sole conscious force on the planet that can mold and fashion materials to our own usefullness, as a matter of principle our creations must relate to our own form. Architecture functions to serve people. Its design is for our use and comfort. Scale, therefore, is the most important architectural principle employed in relating to humans and the human form. Scale has the greatest immediate effect on users and is most responsible for influencing their emotional state. Scale, along with positional location, creates a dominate/subordinate relationship between elements. Large, imposing spaces not relating to the human form create an imbalanced relationship with the user. They create a barrier against communication and interaction. They create a friction in the atmosphere that is almost palpable. While large buildings are a necessity in accommodating great numbers in a functionally expedient manner, large spaces should be refined to the human level. Levels of intimacy can still be created in large public spaces by breaking down areas both physically and visually. Where people interact with the building, architectural elements can be reduced in size to better relate to the human form. Skillful use of materials and detailing can be used to break down large areas and minimize their visual impact. By dividing large spaces into smaller parts which are at equal stature with users, a dialogue can be established between people and architecture. This dialogue facilitates the interaction between people and places. It evokes a reactional mood and emotion in people when they encounter a space. This emotion is a yardstick upon which to measure the success or failure of the design. The extent to which architecture serves and uplifts mankind is the extent to which it successfully achieves its purpose. In all architecture, literally and figuratively, man is the measure.