Reading comprehension 3

1.  Time: Salisbury and Amiens Cathedral

            When comparing Salisbury and Amiens Cathedral the ratio of similarities to differences are striking. Although they are each designed as a space of worship with an emphasis upon verticality the designers took two unique approaches in completing the design.  These differences are likely due to the construction process of each cathedral.  With the Salisbury cathedral being built in 38 years it encompassed one generation’s ideology on how a place of worship should be designed.  This shows through the very uniformed style of the Salisbury Cathedral. In contrast to Salisbury, Amiens Cathedral went through a much longer construction process, lasting 190 years. Because of this long process the design of the building changed slowly over time as the ideas of the designers changed.  Although the cathedral is symmetrical and proportional it dose not offer that same sense of a uniform design seen at Salisbury.

 

Patron: Salisbury and Florence Cathedral

            Although both the Salisbury and Florence cathedral successfully accomplish order symmetry and a cohesive design the differences in the two structures are clear.  Salisbury cathedral was commissioned by church leaders allowing for an organized uniformed structure. Although the Florence cathedral appears to have an organized design strategy it is clear through different styles in important elements such as the entry doors and the dome that more than one hand played a role in both the design as well as the financing of the structure.

           

Inside/Outside: Although the Salisbury and Cologne Cathedral are interestingly similar on the interior their exteriors speak two very different languages.  On the interior we see a large emphasis on verticality and natural light. Also the use of the ribbed vault, which screams gothic, is heavily utilized in each structure. However when looking at the outside the differences are quite noticeable. The Salisbury cathedral has a even stance upon a rural landscape. And Cologne we see a structure that appears to be practically leaping off the ground. Because of this high degree of vertically much larger flying buttresses are implemented compared to those seen at Salisbury. The reason for this style of design at Cologne can likely be accredited to the urban location and limited space, and also the idea of reaching towards the heavens that we see in most Gothic places of worship

 

 

2.  The middle ages were brought on due to the decay of the Roman Empire. There was no longer a central government. Large cities dispersed and a more rural, agricultural life style was adopted. Small kingdoms began to arise and invasions and warfare became a way of life. Due to all of this change, naturally architecture changed as well.  Due to a new style of government, the feudal system the building of castles became a necessity through out the Middle Ages.  In the image found on blackboard we see a woman working in a medieval interior. This new style of domestic architecture is often characterized as cold and uninviting, which speaks to both the political and social ideology at the time.  Materials used were often local and inexpensive Such as Pinewood found in forest near by. Lavish materials and decoration had become a thing of the classical past. Often these domestic interiors consisted of only one room that was used for both sleeping quarters as well as a dinning hall. A hearth in the center provided heat, but due to poor ventilation left the room smog.

Example of a medieval interior

http://www.englishheritageimages.com/image/solar-room-stokesay-castle-n080470_1382710.jpg

Compass

Reading comprehension 2

Reading Comprehension 2

 

1.     1.  In Hersey’s writings great emphasis is given to the idea that the temples built in ancient Greece were structures that embodied the ideals of one sacrifice, and two nature.  I find the argument that the temple was the built embodiment not convincing.  Although I can see a clear connection between the body of the victim being sacrificed and the basic design of a column as Hersey describes, column as a foot, shaft as a body, and capital as a head. I feel that this is not enough evidence to make me believe that the soul design of the temple were to be based on the idea of sacrifice.  However the idea of nature being a powerful inspiration of design seems a bit more validated.  According to the text long before temples worship was held in groves of trees bound by rope and that in the pagan religion trees were so important that each god was symbolized on earth by there on tree.  When looking at the Greek temple style I am able to see this idea of a grove of trees emulated to perfection in rows and rows of organized columns.

 

2.     2  From Macaulay’s writings of the archeological study of a common day motel horribly misinterpreted I was challenged to ask myself, have I been guilty of this as well when studying past cultures art and architecture.  Although the field of archeology has made vast strides in the last 100 years there it is still highly difficult if not impossible to be able to know exactly what the thoughts and ideas that at the time drove culture. Often as students in this post-modern era it is easy for us as students to what we may find on the Internet to be just as accurate as information found in validated publishing’s or even knowledge that we may acquire ourselves.  I think that this reading, although humorous, offered serious room to leave us asking what we should believe and what should be disregarded.

 

 

3.  33.  As a pharaoh of ancient Egypt one if not the main concerns through out there rule was the construction of there funerary complex.  Although there are a few variations, Pyramids as those seen at Giza dominate the style of tomb design of ancient Egypt.  This style of architecture was grand in scale standing triumphantly upon the desert floor boasting the power of the king who lay rest there.  It is not until the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, or the fourth dynasty that we see a shift in tomb design.  The queen’s tomb speaks a more modest language. Fit snug into the side of the cliff it embraces the surrounding landscape rather than concurring it like the traditional pyramids.  Another clear distinction between the to structure styles is the inviting entrance of Hatshepsut’s complex verses the brut exteriors of the pyramids. Although there are likely many different reasons for these contrasts in design style, two stand above the rest.  The first, simply the gender of the designers. As a woman the need to separate her self from the former men rulers makes a powerful statement.  The second is the way of life at the time. In years previous when the pyramids were built life was somewhat unstable in the Egyptian Empire, separation of peoples and warfare were common.  However Queen Hatshepsut was known for unifying the upper and lower kingdoms of Egypt. Reflecting this in a design of a tomb complex that set itself apart from the past.

 

4.    4.  Egyptian and Greek architecture is often looked upon as two totally different phenomenon’s, and for good reason.  From what we know the differences between design ideology Greeks and Egyptians are vast.  However we do see some similarities in temple design between these two cultures. One of the most noticeable similarities is the use large of columns surrounding the perimeter of the temples.  Although with the Egyptian column boasting a stylized papyrus capital and the Greek column adhering to a strict Doric order it is easy to decide which one belongs to which. Another aspect of these two temples is they are each designed with a single axis of progression. Despite quiet different cultures and values It is no accident that each of these building take on the similar form.  Both the Egyptians and the Greeks fundamentalized the way the west built its places of worship for generations well past there own.  

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/images/philae/resized/hypostyle-hall2-cc-romsrini.jpg

http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/valley-of-the-temples-agrigento-aggrtm.jpg

 

5.     5. When comparing the style of Egyptian furniture to that of Egyptian architecture, especially that of the Pyramids of Giza it is easy to see how very different they are. When considering why it is they are so different, you must first ask what are they used for? The pyramids at Giza are tombs. No one is living and using the structure on a daily basis. At the same time they are much more than that. They are an expression of power laid upon the landscape to boast the glory of the king for eternity.  Yes, Egyptian furniture shows power and wealth through expensive materials and luxurious design, however they are created to be used.  This is likely the difference between any type of design. How and by whom is this building, or chair, or anything for that matter going to be used.

 

6.        In the study of Grecian culture ceramic vases are one of the most important and due to the longevity of material abundant artifacts that we have.  The two vases below depict a king or high Greek official sitting upon a throne. In each vase one or multiple women are closely attending him to.  These depictions reinforce the belief that men held much more power over women in Greek society. Vases were often used in Greek society to keep historical records of important rituals or events thus validating the study of these vases to grow a better understanding of just how this ancient society was ran. 

People, Space, Relationships

Chairs, chairs, chairs.

Point: Theories

Point: Theories

 

            Architecture is the art form that we inhabit. It effectively communicates a dialogue from the past to the present as a conscious reflection of our ideology as humans. It is important for us to understand our past successes and failures in architecture in order to move forward. Throughout time we have seen the lineage in architecture of our foundations, a search for alternatives to those foundations, reflection back upon those foundations, and then exploration of new ideas all together.

            “ Design deserves attention not only as a practice, but as a subject of philosophic investigation.” A quote from the book Discovering design: Explorations in Design Studies speaks to the level of architectures ability to affect us on the deepest levels.  Buildings are not just structures that meet our basic need of shelter. They are tools used to manipulate our thoughts, ideas, emotions, and mood.  Through good design methods we as designers are able to bridge the gap between the material world and the world of the perceiver through sensory engagement.  At the same time if a space is dulling to senses and its function does not meet the needs of the user through a mass of bad design principals, architecture can wreck the soul.

Roth brings up the notion that architecture stands upon a tripod of the three ideals of commodity, firmness and delight. This means that the building must be functional, safe, and pleasing to be in and around.  If a building is missing one of the three it will be sure to fall into the pits of mediocrity and the mundane. However if an architect is to give close attention to these three things, their work will be praised for lifetimes to come.

Although commodity, firmness, and delight do aid to the success of a design it does not mean we may stop there as designers.  Architecture is a language. How can a building communicate to the whole world the glory of its ideals if we do not all speak this same language? The answer is it cannot.  Every building ever imagined is subject to the lenses of culture. In Japan, a designer will confidently place a dining room table, which stands at a height of 17”, in a space.  How ever if a European designer were to do this, the question of there acceptance would be asked. The difference in these two designers is culture, what is accepted and what is not.  Therefore as designers we must be sensitive of  how and what we design, according to who we are designing it for.