The Extent and Relevance of Aesthetics in Architecture

Aesthetics has always been perceived as being one of the keystones off any architectural output. The role of an architect has generally been that of an individual who infuses some kind of visual relief in a mundane functional solution. This in turn reduces the architect to someone whose talent, skill and enterprise is cosmetic in nature. Architecture is not cosmetic but cosmic and aesthetics is a key component in this endeavor. Aesthetics may be subjective, intangible and non cognitive yet it shapes the perceptions, quality and definition of any space. A paradigm shift in the approach to aesthetics is proposed.