IELTS Writing Task 2 – It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful
It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful. Architects shouldn’t worry about producing building as a work of art.
Do you agree or disagree?
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
You should write at least 250 words.
IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay Sample
Sample Answer 1:
It is true that buildings should be more utilitarian than beautiful. However, I disagree that
architects should not make efforts about making artistic buildings. I believe that today’s
architects have the expertise and the resources to design buildings which are both –
beautiful and useful.
A good building should satisfy the three principles of durability, utility and beauty. It should
stand up robustly and remain in good condition. It should be useful and function well for the
people using it. It should delight people and raise their spirits. A good architect should strive
to fulfil each of these three attributes as well as possible.
To begin with, the burgeoning population and the scarcity of land today have raised the
debate whether the buildings of today should only be useful and not beautiful. However,
the skyscrapers of today are the answers to both these problems. They accommodate a lot
of people in the least amount of space and these skyscrapers are architectural marvels in
terms of beauty.
Secondly, the natural resources are limited and it is the need of the hour to make energy
efficient buildings. For example, using solar panels and other energy saving measures are
the need of the day. Today’s architects have been successful in designing aesthetically
appealing solar panels which need less space. The climate changes that are taking place
because of global warming need buildings that need less air conditioning and yet remain
cool.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, it is commendable for architects to
understand function, and aesthetics both. It is a big responsibility to have buildings which
are both useful and beautiful and architects of today have the capability to do so.
Model Answer 2:
The buildings have both the structure and function, but here the question arise that which one is more important, the structure or the function. The structure consist of the outlook of the building, all kind of embellishment comes under it. The more attention were given to the structure blocking area or renovation of any building according to modernization, whether it is Home, Hotel, Mosque, Church, Restaurants, School, College, Universities or Office. Architecture were more curious and apprehensive regarding designed and outlook. But the fact is that functions are more important like a building is more valuable if it is full filling all the criteria of serving well, full filling all the needs of people.
Currently in the developed countries buildings are compared in the long run of adornment, the more beautiful buildings attracts more visitors to rush for live in or earn more compared to others. It’s a universal phenomenon that beauty attracts the brain, many study were conducted in USA on the structure or function of the building, which revealed that majority of people were found to be associated with the stunning structure of building, one more fact was discovered that curvy buildings attract more people than straight line building. In the developing countries more focus was given to the functions like serving quality, comfort, and cheap rates etc, as more focus was education rather than expensive school or college building, hotel stay with cheap rates rather than classy hotel with full luxuries room, shopping from a store rather than a branded stuff from a big well decorated shopping mall. The developing country also began to follow the developed country in the long run of outer beauty of a building which is alarming sign for creating a sense of comparison or complex among people.
Instead of creating a structure wise comparison, functional comparison should be encouraged, as those building should be appreciated who are full filling their functions well with cheap rates with the major focus on productive goals.
Model Answer 3:
Buildings, not very different from other commodities, perform various functions and serve varying needs of their users. A multitude of people advocate that functional values should be the only factors worthy of concern when constructing new buildings, rather than aesthetics aspects. Despite the general consensus, the author believes that a building contribute best when both visual appeals and functionality are well incorporated in its blueprint.
Nowadays, it is believed that people demand much more in architects in designing new buildings. Equipped with modern technologies and redundancy of resources, there is a general expectation for new constructions to be not only safe, accessible and practical but also pleasing to the eye. Fully developed cities find it unacceptable for them to accommodate buildings of poor aesthetic values which could blemish the whole cityscape. Additionally, there are cases where aesthetic appeals are an integral part of the involved building, such as theaters, churches and museums.
Besides being able to contribute to the ornamentation of its surroundings, a building needs the capability to perform its intended purposes decently. Especially in societies where resources are of shortage, functionality should always be a priority in new constructions. For instance, the Vietnamese government once faced heavy criticism by the public for building an extravagant museum with luxury furnishings and expensive material but barely fulfills its planned functions. In such scenario, it is better to construct practical buildings before aiming for those with visual appeals.
Based on the arguments outlined above, adding aesthetic values to a building is consistent with the needs of a modern society. However, it does not mean that the concern on visual appeals should be at the expense of a building’s practical functions; on the contrary, a building should be the result of the delicate balance between the two ideals.
Model Answer 4:
There are many unique and outstanding buildings round the world that we can easily remember or recall their images. It is because we treated them not just as buildings but pieces of art. However, some argue that architects should not put too much consideration on art design but the usage only. I do think that building should be built as a work of art.
A building is not only standing for a short time. Some may exist much longer that their expected usage time, like the Pyramid, ancient temples and churches. We want people to treat the buildings with respect and grace. People can find pride, effort and inspiring stories from the buildings. Every building is unique and has its own personality like a person. We found heroism in the Chinese Great Wall; We found strong religious sense in the building of St. Peter Square’s; and We found beautiful scientific patterns in the Golden Gate Bridge. People like to enjoy the practical use and architect design of a building.
However, it is undisputable that a building should meets to fit the purpose of the building first. For instance, a hospital must be suitable for the medical use; a university should be convenient to students and professionals; a factory should be convenient to the production line and the transportation. Of course, a building must first meets its purposes but they should also meets with the design. There is no contradiction in the two areas. For example, the Sydney Opera House is a famous landmark in the world as well as a functional opera house for the local residents.
In conclusion, a building should be built to serve its purpose first. But the architect should also design the building with good artistic sense to finalize it as a work of art.
Model Answer 5:
When it comes to the issue that what is the most important factors of a building. People’s view differs from person to person and culture to culture. Some individuals hold the view that good looking is more crucial to a building. Others believe that it is more important for a building to serve its purposes. In my opinion, we should pay more attention to the building’s function.
It is true that a beautiful building looks like more cosy and make citizens more comfortable. People who see the building might be improving their aesthetic standards. Moreover, as tourists, they might love this city due to the remarkable building. Thus, many persons can not help attracted by this and than they might go back to there twice or more. That would be booming local economy. However, is it possible? Is it really attractive? Many travelers might not be surprising at the building owing to lack of devices and not useful. So I still agree that more useful and convenient equipment is more important than good looking.
For one thing, the essence of a building is that it should be used friendly and include technology tools to assist in applying. That means more helpful and functional. A host of updating facilities could more convenient to people. You can image that when a tired person who just want to look for a place where he or she can take a break and drink something. And then he or she find a beautiful building, meanwhile, he believe that there will suit him or her. But the person is disappoint due to no complete devices. Thus, good look is not practical for people.
In addition, more focus on serving its purpose could guarantee the safe of the building. We all know the catastrophe of Yaan. That is a disaster to every people who live there. According to a recent survey, those buildings in Yaan were more cared about appearance and were ignored its purpose result in this consequence. From this event, we can know that without ignoring the purpose of establishing buildings, this tragedy would not be inevitable.
In sumerize, I take an attitude that it is more important for a building to serve its purposes.
Architects often find themselves in a dilemma when they have to determine the building’s style as two options sound justified-functionality or exterior design. Some architects claim that the function arrangement is more valuable by comparison to the good looking exterior. Personally, I coincide myself with this viewpoint.
Admittedly, the outside image is one of the essential elements of a building, regardless of the commercial buildings or historical ones. It is because most people who appeal mainly to visit for the building because of the first sight. Thus, the entrepreneurs may invest a company for being attracted by its exterior, becoming one of the bond holders and risk takers. In terms of international tourism, foreigners tend to visit some places with special looking due to the fact that many people have a curiosity to take an adventure.
However, the society as well as the individual would benefit more if a building serves a particular purpose. An example aptly illustrate this point of view is the boom of tourism. There is no getting around that people spend their money and time on travelling for the fundamental reason that to experience different culture and history. Therefore, in order to meet visitors’ original demand, the buildings in the local should combine more historical factors together. When travelers adore their trips and suggest their friends to travel, the local economy would be spurred in a rapid growth.
Furthermore, building buildings for certain purposes will greatly drive up the space utilization rate, which suits for the fast-developing countries. It is well known that the first thing that the business men choose a site for their companies or industries is the price. Given the high operational cost, they will choose a commercial building rather than a building with good looking. So, a functional building is more suit for the fast pace society.
To conclude, a building with function arrangement is more superior to the one with good exterior for individual and society. However, if the buildings could be built with functionality and good-looking exterior, I believe, it will bring more benefits.
Buildings, not very different from other commodities, perform various functions and serve varying needs of their users. At the centre of the controversy is whether the purposes of a building should be placed above its aesthetical values. As far as I am concerned, these two qualities are not conflicting, but mutually beneficial.
In a modern society, aesthetical considerations are no longer considered as insignificant or luxury but have been integrated as a core function of a building. People have comprehensive requirements or a building. No longer limited to such ordinary functions, such as safety, durability, space, access to facilities, their interests involve decorative details and visual qualities, including ornamentation and furnishings. In simple terms, a pedestrian-looking building is bound to mismatch the trend of the market.
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that some types of buildings are broadly expected by the public to possess aesthetical values. Standard examples include restaurants, theatres, churches and so forth. A building falling in these categories desires a design of originality and rarity, aiming to distinguish itself from other constructions of its kind or those in its surroundings. Architects’ inspirations add values to the building and increase its marketability. Many buildings have become symbolic in the city or region where they are located.
When being concerned with the aesthetic aspect of architecture, people should consider economic feasibility. The focus on the exterior of a building alone will lead to the increase in construction cost, making such an endeavour unjustified. In those cities where overpopulation continues to be a problem and many people cannot afford housing, whether a building looks beautiful would not be taken seriously. In that situation, the rationaleis to accommodate a huge population, rather than simply please the eye.
Based on the arguments outlined above, adding visual appeals to a building is consistent with the needs of a modern society. However, it does not mean that the concern on aesthetics should be at the expense of a building’s practical functions; on the contrary, a building should be the result of the delicate balance between the two ideals.
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