35. Old buildings 

i. Do you prefer living in an old building or a modern house?

If I was given a choice, I would definitely opt for living in a modern house. To me, modern houses are aesthetically more appealing. I like minimalism in design, you know, geometrical forms and straight lines. Plus, they are better for the environment 'cause they use energy-efficient building materials that, by the way, make modern houses cheaper to keep heated or cooled. Due to this, they are less expensive to maintain, which is no less important than being eco-friendly. Another reason why 1 prefer living in modern houses is that they are more practical cause modern house plans utilize space more efficiently. There is almost no transitional space And everything feels more connected. Finally, I can't help mentioning one more important thing: modern houses tend to already have modern conveniences, whereas old houses often lack ductwork or central air systems because those technologies simply did not yet exist when they were built.

ii. Are there any old buildings you want to see in the future?

Definitely. The first must-visit on my travel bucket list is a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. I've seen the Taj Mahal in movies and in magazines. I've read articles about it. To my mind, it's one of the most elegant and impressive pieces of architecture ever built. Plus, it's one of the seven wonders of the world. So I really want to see it with my own eyes. Of course, it's not the only old building that I'd like to see before I die. The list is quite long, actually.

iii. Should old buildings be preserved?

I guess 'yes', especially if they are a symbol of architectural heritage. Such buildings usually create a lasting imprint on the area they are in and provide an insight into the history of the country. This draws attention to the country and provides important income attracting great numbers of tourists.

iv. How do people in your country feel about old buildings?

Well, I suppose the majority of my countrymen think that old buildings should be preserved especially įf important historicity is kept. I guess it happens so because such buildings have intrinsic value and attract tourists to the area. Though, there is no doubt there are also people in my country who are against preserving old buildings as they make a heritage site limited for development, do not always fit in with the new buildings or can even be a threat to society.

v. What aspect of culture do old buildings reflect?

I'd say that both old and new buildings reflect three most important aspects of culture. The first is the type of behavior of the people of the time, for example, the speed of their life reflected in construction materials they used and design of the buildings. The second is the art of the time. mean a variety of forms common to a particular historical period or the techniques builders of the time used. And the third aspect is religion, that is beliefs people had and reflected in the buildings they constructed.

vi. How do old buildings affect the appearance of a place?

Well, they add some inexplicable charm to the area creating an attractive and mixed environment and making the place distinctive. What is more, they create the context defining the style of the buildings around and completing the skyline in accordance with them.