Cultural Context in Design: How Local Traditions Inspire Modern Architecture

Design Is More Than Trends

Design is more than just trends. While social media often encourages us to follow trends, architects know that it's much more than what people share on social media that matters. The bottom line is architecture and design are all about the way they make people feel. That sounds like a good idea. The problem is the way you feel about something is likely much different than what the person sitting next to you feels.

Not everyone likes bold colors and over-the-top maximalist designs (even if social media makes them a popular option). One of the best ways to choose space designs is to consider culture. That may mean doing some research and really getting to know the community. Erase what you think you know. Instead, dive in and really learn about a location's culture.

Architectural Design Is Often Influenced by Culture

Architecture isn’t always about building bigger buildings. That was the case in the 1900s, of course, as the race for the tallest buildings grew. Literally. Architecture isn’t always about more tech either. Smart homes were pretty neat until you had to explain to the voice assistant for the third time to do something. One way to foolproof any design, then, is to think about culture.

Utilizing local traditions to inspire modern architecture is both effective and highly desirable. It’s exciting when you learn something about a local community and incorporate that into the design. Imagine a space that uses local themes or heritage-based design principles. It becomes not only interesting but invigorating and valuable.

Architects and designers are focusing more heavily than ever on building for value. That includes getting inspiration directly from local cultures and traditions. It’s always interesting to see how modern technology and convenience work together with deeply rooted architectural elements.

How Does Culture Shape Design?

Culture shapes everything that a person sees around them. Their values, beliefs, and attitudes about the world not only shape the way they think, though. It’s also the way they interpret colors, styles, and design elements. Culture influences visual preferences.

Consider a simple example with color. In the UK and throughout Europe, the color purple is often associated with elegance and royalty. It’s as luxurious as a color can be. That same color in Japan is viewed as a sign of evil. Purple is also a sign of infidelity in Japan. However, in East Asia, the color blue is associated with infidelity. In the US, blue is often thought of as soothing.

In Eastern cultures, the color white is a symbol of mourning, much like black is in North America. White in North America is a symbol of purity. We could go on. You get the point. Which one is true? They all are. That is what makes local cultural influences so important in design.

Looking Beyond Color Is Important, Too

While color is often a simple description of cultural design, it’s really on the frill edges. It’s just color, after all. Look deeper, and you’ll see the same cultural influences applied to materials and techniques. Look across the globe, and you’ll find examples of this.

For example, in Scandinavian design, there’s a strong sense of practicality. Everything is designed with a minimalistic view. Furniture for building structures is simple, sensible, and boring to other cultures. Japan is another excellent example of this difference. Japanese culture is very much focused on simplicity. Yet, it’s anything but minimalistic in the way Scandinavian culture is. Instead, it’s authentic, natural, and organic. Japan’s culture is strongly influenced by harmony with nature. That’s represented in beautiful paper and wood elements throughout these spaces.

As a designer, you can instantly tell the difference between Scandinavian furnishings and those from Japan. What you’re actually seeing is the culture of each location.

Considering this factor, you also have to consider a word that sometimes seems lost in design: authentic. When designers hope to create a structure in a local community, they must understand what is truly authentic there. Again, put the social media down for a minute. Instead, talk to the people. Look at the historic locations. It’s incredibly beautiful to learn what that authentic version of a community is.

Forms and Functions in Cultural Designs

Another interesting and thought-provoking way to consider cultural design is through forms and functions. Consider a few examples of differences here. In Germany, you have the Bauhaus movement. It’s certainly focused on simple designs, superior functionality and an industrial vibe. To someone in another country, it looks cold and limiting. There, it’s highly desirable.

Now, step across the ocean to many African cultures. What you’ll find is that intricate patterns, colors, and symbols hold powerful meanings. These intricate and painstakingly created items are not just “fancy.” Instead, they tell stories and share beliefs that run centuries deep.

Yet, in many countries around the world, there’s not just one single example of what is culturally important. The US and Canada are probably the best examples of this diversity. When designing in these environments, consider looking at neighborhood and city cultural aspects rather than national ones. You really have to get out there and talk to the people to find out what they like and what they believe. That legwork is super worth it, though.

How to Design for Different Cultures and Contexts

When creating spaces, there are often a few must-accomplish tasks: The space has to meet functional needs. A pretty location that serves no real purpose isn’t going to be received well by many. The space must be created with authentic inspiration. There’s that word again. Authentic.

Designers must consider cultural appropriation. Meaning designers shouldn’t assume but should build based on the inspiration and ideas of those within that culture. Considering these goals (not to mention budget and materials), how do you build for different cultures and design with specific goals in mind?

Get to know the people that will use that space. Find out what the people you want to attract to that environment need and want. Do some people watching. Get a good idea of what the community values (and don’t just rely on social media – again—to get that information).

Then, consider these steps and strategies.

Build for Inclusivity

Wait, didn’t we just say that you should get to know the people within the community? Today, more than ever, there’s going to be diversity to think about, too. An inclusive design approach allows you to achieve both. Choose elements that can be used by all people, no matter their age, background, or specific needs. Consider accessibility above all else.

In design, think about the use of symbols. For example, instead of using words that some people may not understand, use icons. It’s such a simple thing. Yet, it prevents most people from going into the wrong bathroom at an airport, no matter which country they are in.

Choose designs that are acceptable to all cultures within that community. While personalizing the space is certainly an option, make sure all people who step into that space to use it feel like it was made for them. A tall order, no doubt.

Incorporate Cultural Sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity is one of the challenges of cultural design. It’s just not easy to know what is acceptable in one culture and not in another. Unless you have experienced that culture for a long time, you probably don’t “get it” the way the locals do. That’s okay if you do your research to really develop spaces that are culturally sensitive. Learn the nuances of each culture within your target audience. Then, build your design around that.

If you don't have time for a history lesson, ask locals for help. Ask for insight and opinions. Engage with the people who will ultimately use that space.

Collaboration and Co-creation Create Success

If you’ve landed a fantastic design project across the world, refrain from designing just yet. Put your pen down. Turn off your digital software. Instead, look to the local community first before you commit to any design. Look for local designers and architects within that community to partner with who can share perspectives. You may want to incorporate a group of people so you get a truly authentic view of what people will experience and feel.

You certainly do not want to alienate people with the wrong color or a symbol that means something you had no idea about – it happens to all architects and designers. By investing in co-creation strategies with other members of the community, at least some of the blame can be shifted to them if everything goes wrong.

Build Empathy and User-Centered Design

Another strategy for mastering cultural design is to think about empathy. The more you understand an environment's diverse audience, the easier it is to create a design that's actually usable for that group. Visuals, branding, meaningfulness, and materials can all be influenced by local beliefs and traditions.

Consider When Cultural Design Matters

It’s empowering to build spaces that people love. Yet, from the standpoint of architectural design, you need more reason to make a substantial change in the way you design. Here’s the bottom line. Architects and designers who build with cultural design considerations achieve several big benefits:

• People trust you. You did your research and put the time into becoming a local for a short period of time. That trust goes a long way when it comes to building a business.

• Reach more of the people you want and need to. If you're addressing a marketing scheme based on a product's function, you have to know it works for your target group. It often takes some market research to get a good idea.

• Look for a way to enhance user experience. Educate people on other cultures, but do so in a way they “get” and can absorb.

The bottom line is that design is culturally influenced in every corner of the globe. Skilled architects and designers are talented in learning about local cultures. They create spaces that are contemporary and offer fancy tech. At the same time, they are also deeply rooted spaces in the local geographical context.

Go ahead. Visit a local artisan shop. Dig around in an old museum to learn the art of the locals. You may even want to explore historic buildings with meaning behind them. Learning the culture of a space makes it easier to be authentic.