Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as
distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the
process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and
constructing buildings or other structures. The term comes from Latin
architectura ; from Ancient Greek __ ἀρχιτέκτων ( _arkhitéktōn )
'architect'; from __ ἀρχι- ( arkhi- ) 'chief', and __ τέκτων ( téktōn
)_ 'creator'. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are
often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art. Historical
civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural
achievements.