Ca(u)se di bellezza / Beauty’s causes

As dictionaries explain, effective is a synonym for adequate or suitable and as such would seem to identify functional aspects. Yet, it is not hard to see that this word exceeds its synonyms and hints at larger issues concerning processes, including premises and results, as well as methods and procedures. The term actually derives from the Latin efficere – meaning to accomplish (facere) comprehensively (ex-) – with a value of doing or manufacturing, as well as accomplishing, or working on something until it produces its effect or is “effective”. Other definitions, starting with those of historical dictionaries, may give rise to inspiring meditations about the meaning of effective (in the specific realm of architecture) triggered by the fascination of words.