Nation-building is an extensive as well as complex term, the goal of which is global excellence. Development of the nation conventionally includes economic growth, political and social stability, military advancement, unity and peace. In the process of achieving these dimensions, the deeper aspects that work on the grass-root level often left out, architecture being one of them. Architecture affects the course of nation-building in circumstantial, yet essential ways.

Every piece of architecture stores a cultural and regional identity in itself, and the history of architecture bears ample evidences for the same round the globe. The byzantine light that floods the interiors inflowing through the ‘floating dome of heaven’ , worships the great Hagia Sophia and speaks of Istanbul. The colonial roof-tiled gables with double-hung windows and traditional chimneys for the fireplaces immediately hints of the western architectural elements from the U.S. The clay from the Mosque of Djenne  smells of the vernacularity in African architecture. Magnificent tiled roofs, intricately curved at the ends placed on the town houses, shrines and temples reminds of nowhere but Japan. From the elaborate shikharas , detailed pediments and magnificent sculptures on the walls of the Hindu temples that sing glories of Hinduism, to the beautiful carvings on the walls and pillars with four ostentatious minarets and pure white makrana  dome of Taj Mahal, shining bright among the seven wonders of the world, duly praising the Muslim art, represent religious and cultural diversity of India. All the distinct architectural elements, ancient or modern, make place for its country on the world map and give it an integral recognition on the global level, setting an image for the nation and giving its citizens a reason to be proud.

The natural and man-made disasters deeply affect the progress of a nation; and it is during these times architecture makes unsung contributions. One such tragedy was the ‘Great Chicago Fire’ that happened during the time when industrial revolution saw its peak, back in 1871. The fire swept through the city and burnt approximately nine-kilometer squares of Chicago to ruins in three days, killing more than 300 people and turning around one-third of the city’s population homeless. The emerging modernist architects of that time took charge of rebuilding Chicago and formed the renowned ‘Chicago School of Architecture’ . These brilliant architects came up with substantial solutions of building fire-proof structures, replacing curtain walls with thick masonry walls, constructing taller buildings due to escalating land prices and extensively using steel frame in construction. It not only aided in reviving the lost infrastructure, but also raised the levels of economy and social stability within eight years. This unfortunate mishap provides with enough evidence to prove that architecture has a great potential to be a healer for the nation during difficult times.

Architecture can effectively fill the gaps caused by some major social issues which prevail in most parts of the world today. Poverty, one of the critical problems in developing countries like India, has been tackled with effective low-cost architectural techniques; Aranya low-cost housing sets a great example for the same. Designed in accordance to climate and site response by the eminent Indian architect B.V. Doshi, it is a slum re-development project which provides proper dwellings to the low-income class in the city of Indore. Architecture came to rescue even when the literacy rates were found falling. The InsideOut School by architects Andrea Tabocchini and Francesca Vittorini was built recently in 2017 in a small village of Ghana, where the basic necessity of education is unaffordable. The lack of resources became an opportunity to build with local earth and wood. The design is easily replicable and also valued the financial condition of the residents of the village. The health of the citizens in a country is one of the most important facets of nation-building. Architecture holds some exceptional hospitals like Einstein Medical Center in Pennsylvania, U.S., by Perkins+Wills  which constitutes exceptional infrastructure for smooth practicing of the healthcare sector.

Today, climate change is a global subject which needs to be responded and resolved with greener solutions at the earliest. When it comes to environment friendliness, the sector of architecture and construction is often seen with an eye of negative criticism. However, after meticulous researches and implementations, sustainable architecture proves to be the future. The Bullitt Center in Washington by architect Robert Hull is regarded as ‘the greenest commercial building in the world.’ It is distinguished by the exclusion of 350 common toxic chemicals including PVC , lead, BPA , formaldehyde and others. According to the architect, this center will demonstrate that a carbon-neutral office space can be “commercially viable and aesthetically stunning.” It can now be accepted that architecture is also doing its part in tackling the climate crisis country by country. 

The escalation of the national economy is directed by a number of factors, one of them being foreign exchange. Apart from commerce and trade, tourism is a vital agent that brings in foreign exchange to the country. Singapore has undergone great advancement in terms of preservation of historical monuments and development of hospitality, leisure and other public related infrastructure such as Marina Bay Sands , Gardens by the Bay , ArtScience Museum, National Gallery of Singapore, Changi Airport and many more. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) , the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the GDP of Singapore, in 2019, has been 11.1%; The increase in the GDP due to tourism was 8.2% in 2017.  Singapore has generated ample revenue from tourism than from any other industries and it is essential to note that it was fueled by remarkable buildings and infrastructure.

Architecture is everywhere. From a village to a metropolis, it fulfils the basic necessity of shelter and comfort. It is a significant asset to the nation as even the most important decisions for a country are taken under a roof. Well designed buildings and public spaces ensure better functionality and increased social well-being which obliquely increase the output for the development of a nation. Architecture has altered its elementary essence whenever required for the people it houses. It has served the people in abundant ways which in turn has let them strive to build their country inevitably. Thus, undoubtedly, architecture has, and will consistently play a silent role in nation building.
 
List of References
“Architecture of India”, Magik India, magikindia.com/culture-india__trashed/architecture-of-india/

“Hagia Sophia Architecture”, Hagia Sophia Istanbul, OTTI Travel, www.hagiasophia.com/architecture/ 

Cotter, Holland. “An art critic in Africa- A Tribute to Islam, Earthen, but Transcendent”, The New York Time, The New York Times Company, April 18, 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/04/19/arts/design/the-great-mosque-in-djenne-mali.html 

Schons, Mary. “The Chicago Fire of 1871 and the ‘Great Rebuilding’”, National Geographic, National geographic Society, January 25, 2011, www.nationalgeographic.org/article/chicago-fire-1871-and-great-rebuilding/ 

“Aranya Community Housing”, AKDN, Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Aga Khan Foundation, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, www.akdn.org/architecture/project/aranya-community-housing 

“InsideOut School / Andrea Tabocchini & Francesca Vittorini”, ArchDaily, ArchDaily, May 6, 2020, www.archdaily.com/882665/insideout-school-andrea-tabocchini-and-francesca-vittorini?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_projects 

Henry. “Perkins + Will – Einstein Medical Center Montgomery (US), Architecture Scope, April 30, 2014, www.architecturescope.com/einstein-medical-center-montgomery/ 

Porada, Barbara. “The 'World's Greenest Commercial' Building Opens in Seattle Today”, ArchDaily, April 22, 2013, www.archdaily.com/363007/the-world-s-greenest-commercial-building-opens-in-seattle-today 

“Role of Architects in Nation Building”, Deviant Art, DeviantArt, June 5, 2010, www.deviantart.com/decoded-one/journal/Role-of-Architects-in-Nation-Building-225820948 

Sproul, Anthony O. “Architecture’s role in Nation-Building: The Palestinian National Library”, B.A.S Carleton University, 2003.

“Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2017, Singapore”, World Travel & Tourism Council, March 2017.

“2020 Annual Research: key highlights”, World Travel & Tourism Council, March 2020.

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