Ornament in Architecture - Essay Example

Ornament application is one means that may be applied to a building to increase its general outlook, but it may not be the only measure. Sullivan believes that a building without ornaments may be made to look beautiful by using other measures, but the application of ornament decoration may certainly add to its beauty value (Sullivan, 188). This paper seeks to explain the importance of ornaments in architecture and argue whether the entity adds a noticeable value or may be ignored. Ornaments in architecture The incorporation of ornaments in a building as part of its composition may add substantial value upon its perception as beautiful architecture.

The careful selection of the mode of design applied matters to its overall composition as compared to the random placement of the ornaments in the structure. Sullivan quotes that both the structure and the ornament benefit from the careful placement of the entities as they strive towards achieving the goal of defining their overall purpose (Sullivan, 189). The careful application of the ornament on the structure should adhere to its structural composition. It should appear that the ornament decorating the building is incorporated as a composition towards the overall physical appearance rather that an addition forced later to improve its look.

The ornament contributes significantly towards the total composition of the structure and adds to the beauty quality of the structure, making it a structural material and an additive. “They are no longer two things but one thing,” (Sullivan, 189). Not all ornaments would look appropriate in a structure. There are definite ornaments to be included in a particular architectural work, and they define the purpose properly if their use is carefully planned. It would look inappropriate and even destroy the beauty of the final architectural structure when little planning is incorporated towards the final composition.

Each building possesses a set of ornaments that would appear appropriate in highlighting the decorative aspect of the ornament. Current implications of ornaments that are successfully incorporated in the buildings are evident in America where buildings shine to give them a definite presentation. There is an overall function of making the building stand out from the surrounding structures, and involve a functional addition of explaining the structure especially if it is viewed for the first time.

The picture that is normally instilled within an individual’s mind would involve the critic that revolves around the work of art, and the definition t possesses on the mind of the society. Simply put, the definition derived from an entity according to the majority would be upheld as the proper symbol that relates to the entity. In Loos’ book, Ornament and crime, he states that the tattoo among the Papuan tribe was a body decoration and an ornament applied to most of their necessities, but in the modern society, it is criminals that bear the mark that are in tattoo form (Loos, 29).

Objects that possess ornaments are cherished, but those without this additional entity are easily discarded and forgotten by the society (Loos, 30). He further gives the explanation that those objects in the dumpsters with ornaments are picked and cleaned to be displayed as valuable entities. However, Loos argues that individuals have learnt to overlook the concepts of beauty