Throughout history, architecture and design choices have been used to express cultural identity and heritage. This avenue for cultural expression reveals itself in the minimalism of Scandinavian design, the intricate patterns and towering temples of India, and in symbolic
According to INJ Architects, “cultural architecture refers to the design and construction of buildings and spaces that reflect and cater to the cultural practices, values, and social behaviors of a community.”
Cultural design is often the result of available building materials and the skills of those in charge of construction. For instance, where limestone, adobe bricks, or timber are found in abundance, buildings often incorporate them throughout their design and construction. Another way to weave a cultural narrative throughout a space and celebrate heritage and identity is to integrate meaningful colors. Either colors found in a flag or those that capture cultural attitudes.
Choosing to preserve culture through architecture in general and through railing design specifically can make people feel welcome in a space and serve to educate those outside of the culture of cultural values and ideals.
Use Color to Infuse Culture
While some cultural designs are marked by neutral colors and minimal use of bright colors, other designs are infused with bright, vibrant colors that capture a culture’s heritage and identity. The use of colors can infuse the culture into the design, while they further design goals.
Runway at Playa Vista is a vibrant multiuse space with a sense of community — a place where people live, work, and play together. The combination of boutiques, ice cream shops, dining experiences, a veterinary clinic, children’s play spaces, and Cedars-Sinai Urgent Care caters to a wide range of needs and brings people together. The use of colored glass on the Cedars-Sinai balconies contributes to this exciting reimagining of what community looks like.
Pull from Cultural Symbols and Imagery
At the TX DPS Training Center, Randall Scott Architects, Inc specified a railing system that features a custom “Texas Star.” Not only does this design capture old world Texas charm, but it also pulls other elements of the design together, namely the large Texas star above the entrance. Other materials, like traditional limestone and cedar wood trim contributed to preserving the cultural heritage of Texans.
Support Inclusion
Handrails are more than just a design feature. They are a functional element that supports inclusion for people of all ages and abilities. By adhering to ADA Standards for Accessible Design, stairways, ramps, walkways, and balconies are made more accessible and therefore inclusive.
The practical functionality and safety that handrails offer are enhanced by the ability to infuse cultural design into the handrails and guardrails through the addition of color and custom designs. Other features, like LED lighted handrails and varied heights can further extend accessibility to the widest audience possible.
Create Communal Spaces
Human nature is to form a community with others, and design can foster this need through stair and handrail design. In an interview with Geoffrey L. Cohen on the Speaking of Psychology podcast, Cohen speaks to the human need to form community saying “as a social species, we've evolved to be exquisitely attuned to whether or not we belong in our group, with our tribe, with our kin, and that includes our fictive kin.” Continuing, he notes that it’s this “fundamental concern about belonging to a larger group, being accepted in that group and having something to contribute to that group that motivates so much of our day-to-day thought, feeling, and action” — and our design.
Designing spaces that foster a sense of community and cultural identity can help people find belonging and feel comfortable in the space. Using railings to support architectural projects like the social stairs seen at the Zachry Engineering Education Complex can create a space where people feel safe and willing to share and connect with others.
VIVA Railings Can Help Preserve Cultural Heritage and Identity
With nearly endless customization options, VIVA Railings can help achieve cultural preservation in your stair or ramp railing design. Through thoughtful use of color, integrated symbols, and support for social spaces, railing design can foster connection, preserve culture, and strengthen community bonds.
Contact the experts at VIVA Railings today to explore our railing options that can help you preserve cultural heritage and identity through design.