You don't have to be an architecture major to appreciate artful architecture.
"(The 'Art of Architecture' is) really the only class that we have that students outside of the discipline can find out more about architecture," said James Burleson, associate professor in the College of Architecture, who is teaching one of the two sections available this semester.
The focus of the course is significant buildings throughout world history and the impact they have had on architecture.
Many of the buildings discussed are unique and esoteric, but display how architecture can be applied in different contexts.
"I wanted them to understand that when they saw architecture as a building, they were dehumanizing it," Burleson said. "They were making the architecture more like an industrial design project that was designing a machine or an object building."
Dan Bennett, dean of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, said the course has been offered at Auburn for about 20 years.
"The course gives students a better understanding of what architecture is and how it benefits them," Bennett said.
Even though the class has evolved throughout the years, the content has remained consistent.
"I think architecture is about more than just a building and how it functions," Burleson said. "I think architecture is more about cultural expression and personal expression and the feelings about where we are in life."
Burleson said he had encountered some limitations in getting the average student to see the inner workings and implications of architecture.
"I think it's difficult to get the artistic side of architecture to translate to the pragmatic side or to some of the aesthetic offerings it has," Burleson said. "I wanted the students to make the human connection, that it's the architecture of people that gets infused into these artifacts, these buildings. It's the same way as how a painting becomes more than just paint on a canvas."
Amanda Breen, undeclared freshman, is enrolled in Burleson's class to satisfy a fine art requirement.
"When I looked at a building, I just saw a building," Breen said. "This class has made me more aware of the work that goes into creating structures."
Burleson said there's a personal connection between buildings and architecture.
"Architecture can really lift one's spirits," he said.
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