Architecture is a universal language, yet one that is often misunderstood when it crosses cultural boundaries. Architecture styles, techniques, and concepts are continuously transferred between cultures, but this transfer is accompanied by adaptations, reinterpretations, and sometimes misinterpretations. This process of architecture translation is crucial in an increasing globalized world, where architects and designers must be acutely aware of the cultural context in which they operate.
As architecture spreads across cultures, it undergoes a process of transformation. This transformation occurs not only on an aesthetic level but also functionally and symbolically. Traditional architecture is shaped by climatic, social, and spiritual conditions deeply in a specific region (Memmott and Davidson, 2008). When these elements are transferred to a different cultural context, their original meanings may be lost or reinterpreted.
Gill (2007) introduces the concept of the cultural holon’ to understand the complexity of this translation. He argues that cultures do not exist in isolation but are part of a network in which the constantly interact. Architecture serves as a node withing this network and must balance the preservation of cultural identity with the need for adaptation to new environments.
Colonial Influences and European Architecure in Asia
One of the most evident examples of architecture as cultural translation can be found in colonial architecture. European architectural styles where introduced in Asia, often without considering the local climatic and cultural context (Wallach, 2013). This sometimes results in problematic combinations, such as buildings that were poorly suited to tropical climates or structures that did not meet the social needs of the local population. European powers, including Britain, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, brought their architectural traditions through colonial administration, religious missions, trade and infrastructure.
Colonial governments constructed administrative buildings, courthouses and government offices that mirrored the classical, barque, or Gothic style of Europe. The British in India, for example, built structures such as the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, incorporating neoclassical and Indo-Saracenic elements. Similarly, religious missions led by Portuguese and French colonists introduced European church architecture to regions like Goa and Vietnam, where baroque and Gothic churches were adapted to the tropical climate with modifications such as large windows and shaded courtyards.
European trade companies, such as the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the British East India Company, built forts, warehouses, and residences in major port cities like Batavia (Jakarta) and Macau. The buildings reflected European construction methods but were often modified using local materials and techniques. Furthermore, colonial infrastructure projects, including railway stations in India, such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, blended Victorian Gothic with Indian motifs, showcasing the complex interplay between imported and indigenous design elements.
Fig. 1: Hall of Justice, Batavia (Jakarta), Indonesia. Retrieves February 16, 2025, from Jakarta's Kota Tua Museums Reopen To Visitors With COVID-19 Health Measures - TheSmartLocal Indonesia - Travel, Lifestyle, Culture & Language Guide
The impact of globalization in architecture
Globalization has had a significant impact on contemporary architecture (Majerska-Palubicka, 2020). International architecture styles and design methods are increasingly being copied without adaptation to local context. This has led to a form of architecture homogenization, where urban landscapes around the world are beginning to look increasingly similar.
One example of this trend is the proliferation of glass and steel skyscrapers in cities worldwide. These buildings are often designed according to Western standards, without consideration for the specific climatic and cultural conditions of their locations. As a result, they can be inefficient or even unsuitable for their environment.
Hill (2005) emphasizes that architects and designers must adopt an intercultural approach to avoid such issues. By training students and professionals in cross-cultural design and emphasizing the importance of local context, architecture can serve as a more effective bridge between cultures.
Fig. 2: Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from All you Need to Know About Burj Khalifa Floors - Arabia Horizons Blog
Innovation and identity in Cross-cultural architecture
While globalization has often led to architectural uniformity, some contemporary architects are actively challenging this trend by integrating local traditions with modern innovations. One such example is the emergence of ‘fluid forms’ in India, where designers are reinterpreted traditional construction methods through advanced digital techniques.
A contemporary example of architecture between cultures is the rise of ‘fluid forms’ in India (S.D., 2023). These designs merge traditional Indian construction techniques with modern digital design methods.
A striking example is a recent project that integrates biomorphic forms and parametric design with traditional materials such as brick and stone. This demonstrates that architecture is not merely a process of imitation but rather a dynamic translation in which traditional forms are reinterpreted in a contemporary context.
Such approaches help bridge the gap between the traditional and the modern while maintaining cultural identity. This contrasts with the earlier discussed tendency of architectural homogenization, in which globalization often leads to the loss of local building traditions.
Fig. 3: Centre for Inclusive Growth & Competitiveness for Tapmi, Manipal, India. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from Center for Inclusive Growth & Competitiveness for Tapmi/ The Purple Ink Studio | ArchDaily +
Beyond physical structures, technology plays an increasingly significant role in how architecture Is translated between cultures. Digital technologies can help bridge cultural differences by enabling new forms of collaboration and knowledge exchange (Gill, 2007).
However, technology can also lead to a reduction in cultural complexity. When traditional architecture is digitized and adapted to modern construction techniques, its deeper social and spiritual significance can be lost. This aligns with Gill’s critique of the ‘one best way’ model, where cultural nuances are often overlooked in favour of a universal, technologically optimized approach.
By adopting a symbiotic approach where technology is integrated without losing cultural essence, architects can utilize digital tools to facilitate authentic translations of architecture.
Another crucial aspect of architectural translation is the role of identity. In many cases, architects seek to balance globalization with local traditions. This is evident in the way contemporary Japanese architects combine minimalism with traditional spatial principals such mammas ma (the Japanese perception of space and emptiness) (W, 2022).
Such practices highlight that architecture is not merely a product of a particular culture but rather a dynamic process of cultural interaction and negotiation. By consciously considering these factors, architects can create design that are both innovative and culturally resonant.
In fine
Architecture is a powerful medium for cultural translation, but it is also a complex process that involves both adaptation and misunderstanding. Whether in colonial architecture, the impact of globalization, or modern ‘fluid forms’, the transmission of architectural concepts across cultures requires a deep understanding of both the original and the receiving context.
By viewing architecture as a dynamic network of cultural interactions, we can better understand how buildings are not only physical constructions but also carriers of culture, identity and history. The challenge for contemporary architects lies in finding ways to approach these cultural translations with both respect and innovation, without losing essence of the original architecture.
In an increasingly globalized world, architecture remains as crucial link in the dialogue between cultures.
