What Makes Architecture Textured: The Art of Blending Rough and Smooth Elements
In contemporary architecture, the design element that calls attention as one that substantially impacts the aesthetic and emotional character of the space, and even the personality that it creates, is the use of texture. Just how the rough and the smooth are combined afterwards, creates an effective whole that brings depth and character, and becomes an environment that feels warm and human.
A Dialogue Between Rough and Smooth
Contrasting surfaces provide an elegant and sophisticated technique of adding depth. Rough surfaces, such as concrete, stone, and wood, express authenticity and emphasize the affinity for nature. Smoothened surfaces, such as metal, glass, and wood, increase elegance and polish. They provide an effective and balanced visual statement. The exposed concrete, if rough, becomes friendlier and warmer because of the presence of solid wood.Nature-infused stone, having characterful and noticeable pores, becomes elegant and sophisticated because of the presence of sleek glass. Even the matte metal becomes noticeable and obvious due to the presence of natural surfaces.
The Depth That Colour Alone Cannot Offer
While the presence of color can influence mood, it is the presence of texture that influences the experience of it. Textured surfaces allow for varying levels of light reflection that do not occur on smoother surfaces. While the light of morning can disrupt the natural grain of the stone, the light of the afternoon brings the subtle gloss of metal and the soft essence of linen.
The space varies from one moment to the other, offering some very interesting possibilities that are not achievable through the use of color.
The Psychological Power of Texture
Textures assist in making the emotional involvement experienced in space. Rough-textured elements generate an association of rootedness and comfort, as they are associated with nature. This experience of touch that they generate creates an association of comfort and familiarity. Smooth-textured elements generate an association of modernism and accuracy. They generate an association that can be interpreted as openness, cleanliness, and serenity. The integration of both contrasting elements assists in making an emotionally healthy space.
Conclusion
Textured architecture is the embodiment of the language that the surfaces use as their means for the transmission of their message. Through the skillful use of textured and un-textured surfaces, it becomes possible to create spaces that are aesthetically attractive and, most importantly, emotionally engrossing. Textured architecture crosses the boundaries of decoration and becomes the medium that imparts character to the space that it creates.
