Architecture: The Power to Design the Society, Reaction Paper Example

Architecture in a way, could be considered as a relative form of art. The architect, the artist, tries to envision something and specifically bring such idea to life through creation. Most often than not though, there are matters that serve as the constraining element when it comes to specifically applying the freedom of an architect to create. The argument over Michael Foucault’s (1077) Discipline and Punish in relation to panopticism defines the fact that there are certain functional areas established to insight discipline among human individuals ; an example of which is the prison home. In relation to this idea, Foucault points out how a human individual could be directed according to the space he has been given to exist in. The natural response of the human brain on such matter is to adapt to the situation, use the space and use the time. Such adaptation is specifically the reason why most prison cells are plain and un-designed. With such presentation of the prison homes, it is expected that prisoners would actually have better time thinking over their mistakes rather than worrying on how to adjust to the situation thus making life quite easier and more convenient on their end.

On the other end, Gilles Deleuze (1993) tries to implicate on the limitations of design as seen on the process of working that painters take into account. Notably, he considers that people are naturally thirsty for power. Even painters have such desire as they create their works and define elements within the said pieces through gaining over the attention of their target audience as if influencing them to look and appreciate what has been completed by a particular artist. Somehow, this aspect of design does imply a level of power applied towards the viewing public.

Overall, it could be realized that Foucault and Deleuze specifically points out on two of the most important elements that make up the human society, power and space. Due to the power that one wants to have over another, humans tend to create measure to imply such control on another human being. In architecture, it is an evident culture to make sure that the designs presented by the architects define them as individuals and as creators of the project. Most likely, it could be understood that through utilizing space as an indicator of power and authority over the others, architects use the concept of space to make sure that the clients they serve would gain a particular feeling of having the capacity to gain control over several matters or even over the people living around them.

Works Cited

Deleuze, G. The Diagramme. Constantin Boundas and Jacqueline Code. Columbia University Press.

Foucault, M. Discipline and Punish: The birth of prison. Penguin Books.