In The Melting Pot: An analysis of Architectural Cultures

Architecture could be looked into something like that of the personality of a country—it tells you a lot about its history, culture, and priorities. The first cultural aspect of a country whilst identifying one is always seen as the architecture of the place. Taking a look at countries at the two opposite ends of the world: The United States of America and India, we can notice the major influences and Imprints in the culture owing to the architecture it pertains to. The United States is all about modernity, innovation, and, let’s face it, how big you can go—think skyscrapers. Meanwhile, India’s architecture is steeped in thousands of years of tradition, religion, and craftsmanship, with a little bit of “Wow, how did they even do that?” mixed in.

Whilst The U.S. is considered “the new kid in the block” when it comes to architecture, owing to its flirting with cultures all around the world, there is still a uniqueness to the projects seen it the country’s different states. With a history that’s only a few hundred years old, the early buildings were heavily inspired by European styles, especially British, Spanish, and French. But as the country grew, it started to develop its own signature style. Skyscrapers became the ultimate flex, with cities like New York and Chicago competing to see who could build the tallest one (because apparently, size does matter).

Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright took a different route by introducing designs that were meant to blend with nature—Think of him as the kid who zoned out and moved away from the general crowd of people, creating greatness. (Alright fine, we as sustainable people like him a tad bit more!) India, on the other hand, has been around for thousands of years, and its architecture reflects that rich history. Ancient Indian temples, palaces, and forts are like something out of a history book— elaborate carvings, majestic domes, and intricate designs that would make even the most modern architects scratch their heads.

The Taj Mahal, for example, is like the Instagram influencer of historical buildings—everyone knows it, and it’s stunning to look at. But it’s not just about looks; the design is deeply symbolic, reflecting spiritual beliefs and the idea of eternal love (Also the disrespect to the designers and masons – like why would you want to cut off their hands Shahjahan?!) Now, let’s talk culture. In India, architecture is often like a big spiritual statement.

Take Hindu temples, for example. They’re not just buildings; they’re meant to reflect the universe itself. The designs are like an elaborate treasure map leading you on a spiritual journey—complete with sculptures, carvings, and sacred geometry. It’s basically architecture with a side of enlightenment. Every carve, Every Material, Every texture, Every turn – Symbolises something, and as much as the template of the architecture may look the same, no two buildings would be similar to one another – something like a big budget kaleidoscope design. As much as it is heartbreaking to notice that the traditionality and personality in the Indian Architecture space is slowly moving away, with efforts made in trying to copy the route of skyscrapers and steel buildings, and though it may work well at times in metropolitan cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, smaller cities with skyscrapers just stick out like a sore thumb.

In the U.S., buildings are more about function—especially in everyday life. Sure, churches, synagogues, and mosques have their religious significance, but for the most part, American architecture is built around practicality. Homes, schools, and office buildings focus on getting things done, not necessarily on providing spiritual guidance. There’s less of a cosmic map involved and more of a “let’s make sure the roof doesn’t leak.” Climate plays a huge role in shaping how buildings look.

In India, the weather is all over the place. You’ve got everything from the blistering heat of the desert to monsoon rains. Traditional Indian homes, especially in rural areas, often use materials like mud, thatch, and wood to help beat the heat. Courtyards, jalis, and terracotta roofing are classic features designed to keep things breezy and cool—kind of like a natural air conditioner (and surprisingly does deliver at times even better than an electrically driven one). In the U.S., materials depend on the region, but in cities, it’s all about steel, glass, and concrete. In fact, if you’re in a major American city, the more glass and steel you can cram into a building, the better. New York and Chicago are famous for their skyscrapers, designed to show off the power of technology and human ambition (and maybe to make you feel a little small when you stand next to them).

In rural areas, though, you’ll find homes built from wood and brick, which are a lot more practical for the climate and much easier to fix when they break. At the end of the day, American and Indian architecture reflect the values and priorities of their societies. The U.S. is all about modernism, efficiency, and a little bit of “how big can we go?” Meanwhile, India combines tradition, spirituality, and incredible craftsmanship to create buildings that are both beautiful and meaningful.