Hi! Thanks for your question.

What makes a good building and why? Well, for me it’s a lot of components working in tandem with one another.

A good building needs…

• cohesiveness with its surroundings
• funding
• utilitas
• venustas
• firmitas

Being cohesive with its surroundings is something many people overlook. A building should add to its neighborhood, promoting positive growth in the area. If it doesn’t, then why is it there? An aesthetically-pleasing building is nothing of it does not function properly where it is.

A good building needs adequate funding. Sometimes design elements are taken out because of lack of funds. Not having the money to do something in the manner that the architect intends can hinder how the building is meant to function.

“Utilitas” deals with the functionability of a building. If the building does not function well for the clients (be they the public, a single family, schoolchildren, etc.), then it is not a good building. This also goes back to cohesiveness with surroundings.

“Firmitas” deals with the durability of a building. If it falls apart as soon as you build it- then what good is it for? A building must be structurally sound in order to be a good building. Architects take an oath to protect the public- if you make a building that cannot last, your license will be revoked.

“Venustas” is beauty and aesthetics. A building must appeal to people’s artistic side, no matter what. No one wants an ugly building! If a building is not beautiful, then it ceases to be art. Architecture is a part of art.

I hope this is a good answer. Thanks for checking out this blog!