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Aesthetics
The philosophy of architecture is a branch of philosophy of art, dealing with aesthetic value of architecture, its semantics and relations with development of culture. Many philosophers and theoreticians from Plato to Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, Robert Venturi and Ludwig Wittgenstein have concerned themselves with the nature of architecture and whether or not architecture is distinguished from building.

Historic treatises
The earliest surviving written work on the subject of architecture is De architectura by the Roman architect Vitruvius in the early 1st century AD. According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the three principles of firmitas, utilitas, venustas, commonly known by the original translation – firmness, commodity and delight. An equivalent in modern English would be: According to Vitruvius, the architect should strive to fulfill each of these three attributes as well as possible. Leon Battista Alberti, who elaborates on the ideas of Vitruvius in his treatise, De re aedificatoria, saw beauty primarily as a matter of proportion, although ornament also played a part. For Alberti, the rules of proportion were those that governed the idealised human figure, the Golden mean. The most important aspect of beauty was, therefore, an inherent part of an object, rather than something applied superficially, and was based on universal, recognisable truths. The notion of style in the arts was not developed until the 16th century, with the writing of Giorgio Vasari. By the 18th century, his Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects had been translated into Italian, French, Spanish, and English.
 * Durability – a building should stand up robustly and remain in good condition
 * Utility – it should be suitable for the purposes for which it is used
 * Beauty – it should be aesthetically pleasing

In the early 19th century, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin wrote Contrasts (1836) that, as the titled suggested, contrasted the modern, industrial world, which he disparaged, with an idealized image of neo-medieval world. Gothic architecture, Pugin believed, was the only "true Christian form of architecture." The 19th-century English art critic, John Ruskin, in his Seven Lamps of Architecture, published 1849, was much narrower in his view of what constituted architecture. Architecture was the "art which so disposes and adorns the edifices raised by men ... that the sight of them" contributes "to his mental health, power, and pleasure". For Ruskin, the aesthetic was of overriding significance. His work goes on to state that a building is not truly a work of architecture unless it is in some way "adorned". For Ruskin, a well-constructed, well-proportioned, functional building needed string courses or rustication, at the very least.

On the difference between the ideals of architecture and mere construction, the renowned 20th-century architect Le Corbusier wrote: "You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces: that is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say: This is beautiful. That is Architecture". Le Corbusier's contemporary Ludwig Mies van der Rohe said "Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins."

The notable 19th-century architect of skyscrapers, Louis Sullivan, promoted an overriding precept to architectural design: "Form follows function". While the notion that structural and aesthetic considerations should be entirely subject to functionality was met with both popularity and skepticism, it had the effect of introducing the concept of "function" in place of Vitruvius' "utility". "Function" came to be seen as encompassing all criteria of the use, perception and enjoyment of a building, not only practical but also aesthetic, psychological and cultural.

Nunzia Rondanini stated, "Through its aesthetic dimension architecture goes beyond the functional aspects that it has in common with other human sciences. Through its own particular way of expressing values, architecture can stimulate and influence social life without presuming that, in and of itself, it will promote social development.... To restrict the meaning of (architectural) formalism to art for art's sake is not only reactionary; it can also be a purposeless quest for perfection or originality which degrades form into a mere instrumentality".

Beyond Location survival of the prettiest

Aesthetics in architecture refers to the visual and sensory qualities of a building or structure. It encompasses the design, layout, and materials used in the construction of a building, as well as its form, proportion, and detail.

The study of aesthetics in architecture dates back to ancient civilizations, where the appearance of a building often conveyed its purpose and significance. In classical architecture, for example, the Greeks and Romans placed a strong emphasis on symmetry and proportion, believing that these elements reflected the order and balance of the universe.

Throughout history, the aesthetics of architecture have evolved and changed in response to cultural and technological shifts. For example, the Gothic style of architecture, which emerged in the Middle Ages, was characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and ornate decoration, while the Modernist movement of the 20th century favored simpler, more functional designs.

Today, the aesthetics of architecture continue to be influenced by a wide range of factors, including cultural and historical context, function, and the use of new materials and technologies. Many architects and designers strive to create buildings that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and sustainable, while also reflecting the values and needs of the communities they serve.

In addition to the visual appearance of a building, the aesthetics of architecture also encompass its sensory qualities, such as the way it feels to touch or move through the space, as well as the way it sounds and smells. These sensory elements can greatly impact the overall experience of a building and are often considered in the design process.

The aesthetics of architecture have long been a subject of study and debate among architects, designers, and critics. Some argue that the appearance of a building is of secondary importance, and that functionality should be the primary concern. Others believe that the aesthetics of a building can have a profound impact on its users and the surrounding community, and that the design of a building should be carefully considered in order to create a sense of place and belonging.

Regardless of one's perspective, the aesthetics of architecture continue to be a vital and fascinating aspect of the built environment, shaping the way we experience and interact with the world around us.