It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful – IELTS Writing Task 2

Modern cities are filled with striking skyscrapers and innovative designs. Yet, a long-standing debate persists: Should buildings prioritise functionality or beauty? This debate is presented in the IELTS question ‘It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful’, one of the common IELTS essay topics for Writing Task 2. It examines whether practical purpose outweighs artistic value in architecture.

In this article, we examine sample answers for the IELTS agree/disagree essay on the topic ‘It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful’, along with an outline and relevant IELTS vocabulary, which is crucial for achieving a high band score.

Essay Question for ‘It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful’

Outline for IELTS Agree and Disagree Essay

Below is an outline to help you understand how to write agree and disagree essays in IELTS.

Sample Answers for It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful IELTS Writing Task 2

Here are some sample essays that address the topic of 'It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful' in IELTS Writing Task 2. To achieve your desired IELTS Band 9 writing score, review the following three model answers, including an IELTS Band 9 essay sample, carefully.

It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful - Sample Answer 1

Constructing buildings is a complex process that needs to cater to the primary purpose of the construction as well as the requirement of looking distinguished. While some buildings successfully integrate both, some however are inclined towards only one of the two factors. This essay shall discuss the relevant conditions for constructing a building.

There are a lot of examples in the world regarding buildings that are artistically rich as well as sturdy in their construction. The Florence Cathedral in Italy, the Taj Mahal in India, the palace of Westminster in England are renowned examples of cultural symbols and works of art in the field of architecture, along with being sufficiently equipped to serve the primary cause of their construction. These buildings are many centuries old but are still standing strong and for this reason they are famous worldwide. Therefore we can say that building any structure with both purpose and art is not rare.

On the contrary, the world has also seen many architectural disasters that were caused due to poor planning and construction, even though they were intended to be assembly of artwork. A near-accurate guess can be that the architects put so much emphasis on the appearance of the building that they neglected the other important features that need to be well thought-out as well. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a stark example of how the foundations of the building weren’t paid adequate attention, resulting that the building couldn’t hold up its own weight.  Many such buildings have suffered collapses due to serious miscalculations in the architectural planning. These illustrations make us wonder whether appearance should totally be sidelined for structural stability of any building.

In my view, I feel a building should be a combination of style and stability. The primary purpose of a building and the appearance both should be kept in mind while planning and equal weight age should be given to both.

It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful - Sample Answer 2

Some argue that the main purpose of architecture is to provide functional spaces, not to produce art. However, I disagree with this statement because beauty and aesthetics are integral to human experience and can inspire emotional connection, pride, and creativity.

Firstly, beautiful buildings enrich daily life and foster cultural identity. People feel a deeper sense of belonging when surrounded by aesthetically pleasing structures that reflect their heritage. For example, the Sydney Opera House and the Taj Mahal are not just functional spaces; they are global symbols of artistic excellence and cultural pride. A well-designed environment can influence people’s mood, behaviour, and even productivity, transforming an ordinary setting into a source of inspiration. Moreover, architectural beauty often becomes a city’s visual language, communicating its history and values to future generations. If architects focused solely on utility, cities would lack character and emotional depth.

Secondly, architecture as an art form stimulates innovation and attracts tourism, benefiting local economies. Iconic buildings such as the Burj Khalifa or the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao demonstrate how artistic design can combine with engineering to create landmarks that drive economic growth. These masterpieces not only generate revenue through tourism but also enhance the global reputation of the cities they represent. Aesthetic ambition often pushes architects to invent new materials and techniques, blending function and beauty seamlessly. For instance, the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s intricate dome design merges modern technology with traditional artistry, symbolising harmony between cultures.

In conclusion, while buildings must meet practical needs, ignoring aesthetics would deprive societies of cultural richness and creativity. Therefore, architects should strive to balance functionality with artistic vision to design spaces that are both efficient and inspiring.

It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful - Sample Answer 3

In recent years, architectural design has sparked debate about whether buildings should prioritise purpose over aesthetics. I agree that the primary function of a building should always take precedence over its artistic appeal because practicality directly affects human well-being and long-term sustainability.

To begin with, buildings are constructed to fulfil a purpose - whether housing, education, or healthcare. However, failing to meet these needs renders even the most beautiful structures useless. For instance, a hospital must prioritise ventilation, safety, and patient accessibility rather than artistic complexity. A visually appealing design that neglects proper spacing, light, or ventilation can severely impact people’s comfort and health, defeating the very goal of construction. The 2010 fire tragedy in a high-rise apartment in Shanghai highlighted how aesthetic facades can compromise essential safety standards. Hence, functionality ensures that architecture serves the people rather than merely impressing them.

To add to this, focusing on design efficiency promotes sustainability and resource conservation, especially with the issues of climate change, ecological footprint and long-term viability. Prioritising sustainable design principles not only extends a building’s lifespan but also reduces operational costs, making it both environmentally and economically responsible. Modern minimalistic and eco-friendly buildings like the Bullitt Center in Seattle are designed with energy-saving technologies and recyclable materials. Although their exterior may appear plain, they set benchmarks for environmental performance. As a result, such function-first designs align with global priorities to combat climate change and reduce construction waste.

In conclusion, while visual beauty may enhance the cultural landscape, I opine that the true purpose of architecture lies in functionality. Architects should, therefore, focus on practicality, safety, and sustainability before considering artistic embellishment, ensuring that structures stand as both useful and enduring.

Vocabulary to Use for It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful - IELTS Writing Task 2

Here is a list of advanced vocabulary word list for IELTS, related to the topic ‘It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful’, as used in the example answers.

To conclude, the essay topic ‘It is more important for a building to serve a purpose than to look beautiful – IELTS Writing Task 2’ tests your ability to weigh practicality versus creativity. Whether you agree or disagree, maintain a clear stance, support it with logical examples, and use precise architectural vocabulary. The best way to master it is to go through sample answers of recent topics in Writing Task 2, take IELTS Writing practice tests regularly, and use precise, academic vocabulary to demonstrate lexical sophistication and push your essay into the Band 7+ range. 

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