Why is architecture so weird?

"There are no ______ in architecture. There are only design intentions and strategies." 

This statement blew my mind and totally changed my perspective on...life. One of my favorite professors would always tell us this statement throughout the semester while our projects developed. He changed our perspective on design every time we hinted the mention of doors/windows/roof by saying, "There are no doors/windows/roof in architecture! They are openings/canopies relating to design intentions and strategies." This abstraction is part of giving architecture a soul. Anyone can put up four walls (planes) and a roof (canopy) and call it a building; but the manipulation of the form and space relating/responding to the environment, relating to the surroundings, responding to the inhabitants all help give a living soul to the architecture.

Sketch of Santiago Calatrava's 'Turning Torso'

Abstraction of a concept pretty much drives architecture. Why abstraction? Abstraction sparks intrigue. Abstraction makes you think and ask why or how. Well, doesn't that make it art? Well, yes and no. Granted, there is a lot of architecture that is so strong formally (the shape of the building) that it cannot adequately respond to the program (needed and wanted rooms for the building). That is when it just becomes art. The architecture fails to respond to the needs of the inhabitants and/or the environment and was just about an architect's ego.

Jewish facility at Woodlawn Cemetery in Houston

Take this building. No doors, no windows, just abstraction of a concept and architecture. Forgive me, but I do not know enough Jewish history to accurately describe Jewish origin. The context of the building has everything to do about the number 12, which I believe describe the twelve tribes of Israel, and 7, which I believe have to do with the seven days of creation. If anyone is more familiar with Jewish culture, please comment the story below.

Arrangement of elements on the right-side of the pavilion

Five out of the six of these massing elements are shown in the photo. Looking at the front of the pavilion, the series of the elements are all on the right. On the left-side of the pavilion, there is a space dedicated for a seventh element, but its just an empty space meant to represent a seventh element representing the seventh day of rest.  

View from back of pavilion showing courtyard

This photo is showing the transition space before people actually enter the pavilion. Notice there are no doors. people enter through the space between each one of the rounded objects on the right-side of the photo.

Front right-side view

If you look carefully, there is a bench and this is the only area that you cannot enter the pavilion. There are a series of seven elements in this pattern. Again, this is more symbolism integrated with the architecture that on the seventh day was a resting period.

Access to interior of the pavilion

Seven elements. You enter the pavilion through the space between the elements.

Interior of pavilion

 Take notice of the seven water spouts.

Rear of pavilion

This was the back entrance. The back entrance of the pavilion is used to transport the casket and religious directors. Also, take notice of more symbolism representing the seven days of creation. The series of 6 square openings.

Exterior left-side of the pavilion

Look closely and you''l see little steel pegs embedded into the wall surface. Shown are eleven of the twelve pegs.

Steel peg on the left exterior wall

Notice the rust from the steel peg on the concrete. This is more symbolism integrated within the structure. The rust literally and symbolically references time.

I hope this example gave you guys a different perspective on architecture and hopefully a better understanding about why architecture seems weird.