At the risk of sounding divisive, when it comes to architecture the world seems to be divided into people who get it and those who just don't care.

But it's quite unfortunate to travel about without knowing how to appreciate those brick and mortar structures.

We've got a few pointers that should help you look at buildings a little differently the next time you travel. It just might add another dimension to your trip.

A brick is a brick, no?

Try a new dimension with one of our competitive package deals.

Buildings are known for different reasons. It could be that they stand out for a particular reason; style, history, event, and more, or they stand out because they represent a landmark of a particular place.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is an example of the latter, you see a picture of it and you know what and where it is.

While the Eiffel Tower clearly represents Paris and has strong romantic associations, generally the meaning, or the feelings a building evokes is very subjective.

"You take different meanings from a building depending on who you are, what your background is as well as what your interests are," says Henning Rasmus, a Jozi architect.

From that perspective it's not surprising that buildings have held different meanings at different times throughout history.

This depends on the history of the place, the quality, the taste of the time, and cultural interpretation, amongst others. "Buildings are never neutral," Henning claims.

What about SA?

In South Africa it is nearly impossible to classify one dominant architectural style due to the size of the country.

The cultural differences between all of us also play a big role. It's interesting to track the changes in architecture as you travel in the major cities of the country.

Cape Town

In Cape Town you'll notice a trend towards large open buildings that have a confidence about them. There are hardly any gated communities.

"The government buildings on Government Road are quite representative of this style," Henning says. "They are stately without being very monumental."

A building that doesn't fit into this is Century City, Henning confesses. "It seems self-conscious. Like it's trying to be something else and it's gated in a way that is at odds with the rest of Cape Town's laid back character."

Jo'burg

Then there's Johannesburg. It's generally accepted that Jozi is the concrete jungle of the country, so it's expected that the buildings will reflect that common belief.

"Jo'burg is all about exploitation," according to Henning. "You make money from nothing; it's the story of gold being extracted from the ground."

It seems with that kind of ambition you end up with fashionable buildings that are driven by the trendy and rich.

"There are a lot of buildings with imported materials, you can really bling it up architecturally," adds Henning.

To see this up close you might want to visit the De Beers building on 11 Diagonal Street. "It's completely alien and crass. But it's very appropriate for the city and a great display of wealth.

Monte Casino is also worth checking out. "It's so Jo'burg. It has that Tuscan style that makes me feel like people want to escape. It's a fantasy and that fits the character of the place.

Pretoria

In Pretoria the most note worthy buildings are the Union Buildings. But the private homes are also great to look at.

"For me the houses in Pretoria seem to be built around the climate rather than any fashion or trend. While in Jozi people can afford to put big glass facades on their windows, in Pretoria it's not really worth it, " says Henning

"The people get a lot more sun coming through their windows in the afternoon, so you will see a lot of sunscreens, and there's a need to ventilate the house. Those houses look a lot more local to me," he says.
There's a lot more to architecture, so keep your eyes peeled. According Henning, you can ask yourself a few questions about buildings if you really want to want to start looking at buildings during your travels.

Such as "Is the building good to look at? Is it ugly? Does it belong here (according to what you know of the place and time)?"

That's just the beginning, maybe you might get hooked soon.

Other buildings to look out for:

Greenpoint Stadium

The stadium is currently under construction and it has had its fare share of controversies.

Initially the surrounding residents were concerned about traffic and its close proximity to their homes. Then there were further complaints about neglecting Kayelitsha as a venue, illustrating how much there is to consider when a building goes up.

Constitutional Court Building

It's one of Henning's favourites. "It represents the idea of democracy in our country. This building is the icon of democratic ideals."

Here you can literally walk off the streets and directly into the court chambers where the constitution was written.

Natal Society of Arts Gallery

It cleverly incorporates the outdoors into the inside, so much so that if you're not aware you might not realise when you're no longer outdoors.

"It's simple with big gliding screens. When in the building you feel like you're in the adjacent Pavilion Park. It feels exotic and comfortable," Henning enthuses.

What are you favourite buildings?