Architecture is a language, which differentiates it from the greater built environment. It communicates meaning in two ways; through memory and by creating relationships.
Architecture communicates through memory by way of mental associations. An architectural environment is compared with similar environments in the mind, allowing for a transfer of meaning, as well as measured differences.
By creating relationships, architecture is also able to communicate more topically. This can be done with formal relationships, but also by establishing the nature of a user's relationships with the environment. One of architecture's unique qualities as a cultural product is its ability affect the relationships between users.
By critically communicating in these ways, an environment can be designed that engages its users, in action and perception, to impart a desired effect. As with any language, architecture can be distilled into a poetic form, allowing for a stronger effect and richer communication.