Unit Summary: Alternatives

After the Roman Empire crumbled, the church was expected to pick up the chaos. The year 1000 was approaching and everyone thought the end of the world was near. Cathedrals tried to establish order through geometric details, and reminded its patrons about the oncoming judgment day through sculptural details of hell taking over the earth. Although the Roman empire was dying, it still was very influential in Christian architecture, the churches being described as "Romanesque".
But as the years crept by their was a lot of experimentation with structure, and even more so with surfaces. Their was an obsession with reaching heavenward through the height of a building, while creating as much light as possible through massive stained glassed windows. To support these buildings massive flying buttresses were attached for stability. These were the Gothic Style years, but each country had their own unique take on it. France, especially Normandy, had the most archetypal gothic style, and Germany played off this with subtle differences (often having one tower instead of two). England, being more isolated to the North, had its own distinct gothic style, its buildings often being more sprawling. Italy still clung to its Roman roots, and had a much more classical leaning, and also separated its church buildings. It is interesting that in a time referred to as the "dark ages," such innovative architecture that was light-filled, intrinsically detailed and taller than ever before.
Starting in the 1400s there were a lot of new discoveries. The printing press, America, the reformation all contributed to this idea of a "rebirth." The Renaissance was all about reviving the ancient world. The buildings were still here but none of the rules were written down, so during this era books and books were written detailing these Greek and Roman masterpieces. But imitating buildings can only entertain a designer for so long, and soon the best designers became the one that started to twist and even break these rules. Palladio was an incredibly influential designer who is famous for "using the sacred for the profane." His homes were very classical, but never before had the front of a temple been used on a private home. Interest in design began to move beyond the home and out into the yard. Houses were designed wide and one room wide to help control the landscape, and later elaborate, painfully planned gardens became customary to any mansion.
This push for expanding outside of the classical box led to the Baroque period. The Baroque period was all about creating drama through excess and light. From the smallest scale to an entire city, it was all about theatre. Through all the undulating stone carvings, movement was created, from the spanish steps to bernini's baldacchino. While the Renaissance was about rationality, the Baroque lavished on emotionality. These alternatives become the foundation of the revolutionary cycle of architecture. After a political or social reform, their will be a revival of the previous generations' style, "going out of the box" could mean back to basics or experimenting with something completely new.

Precedent Analysis Deliverables

10 Drawings

1. Floorplan with pencil on vellum at 1/8" scale
2. Isometric Plan of Interior Capsule with pencil on vellum at 1/4" scale
3. Perspective of Interior Capsule with pen and watercolor on bond at 1/4" scale
4. Section of north side with pencil on vellum at 1/8" scale
5. Section of west side with pencil on vellum at 1/8" scale
6. Elevation of south side with pencil on vellum at 1/8" scale
7. Elevation of east side with pencil on vellum at 1/8" scale
8. Exterior 2pt perspective with pen and watercolor on bond at 1/8" scale
9. Exterior 1pt perspective with pen on bond at 1/8" scale
10. Exterior 3pt perspective with pen on bond and at 1/8" scale


Outline

I. Introduction
a. design specifics of building
i. what makes it special?

II. Body
a. Metabolist movement
i. interchangable design ("organic growth")
ii. minimalist materials
iii. futuristic modular design

b. Design Flaws (the inevitable destruction)
i. rushed design process
ii. lack of upkeep and use of asbestos
iii. can the building be saved/should the building be saved?

c. Influence as prototype for sustainable development
i. capsules are manufactured offsite and can be replaced
ii. use of concrete and steel
iii. opportunities for helping in major third world cities

III. Conclusion
a. the future of modular buildings
i. buildings that can adapt to the environment vs. timeless buildings

Precedent Analysis Building Selection + Justification v.2

Nakagin Capsule Tower

Designed by Kisho Kurokawa, the Nakagin was built in 1972 in Tokyo, Japan. It was part of the metabolist movement that "realizes the ideas of metabolism, exchangeability, recycleablity as the prototype of sustainable architecture."(arcspace) These one man capsules (meant for busy businessmen) were made to be detachable and replaceable, and installed using only four high tension bolts. However, since the building has not had proper upkeep there is intense water damage and the capsule tower may be demolished. I chose this building because i think it is an unconventional step in the right direction. The idea of pre-assembled rooms using recycled materials is something that has not caught on in the western hemisphere, but may contain merits due to mass overpopulation in third world metropoli. We are running out of materials and space on this planet and as designers it is important to preserve as much of it as possible. Its tragic downfall is also a good example of "the greenest building is one that is already built."


http://www.arcspace.com/architects/kurokawa/nakagin/nakagin.html

Unit Summary: Foundations

All architecture is based on a foundation of commodity, firmness, and delight. If it does not include commodity, it is seen as sculpture. Architecture also uses aedicule, which a series of division of spaces to help break down the building logically. As a form of aedicule humans started using the post and lintel system, from stonehenge in Britain to the temples of Egypt. Although primitive in its basicness, it was able to support incredible weight. The downside was that you would need many columns for support. The hypostyle halls in Egypt are very impressive, but not as functional as since the space is not open. This prototype of a clerestory to let in light was also founded in these halls, and this idea was later borrowed in medieval churches for the same purpose. In Egypt we also see the difference between masculine and feminine architecture, which is even more prominent in Roman architecture, with the use of wu-wus and triumphiant arches, which are representative of male and female genitalia, respectively.
The Greeks were heavily inspired by the Egyptians, but their values were slightly different. In Egypt time seemed to stand still for thousands of years, life was pleasant for most of the empire and resources were used to make sure that in the afterlife you were able to bring all the pleasures from the physical world. Greek life was not as relaxed, and the emphasis was to make yourself last forever by leaving something great on this earth that would last many lifetimes to come. Enamored with logistics and proportion, Greek architecture strove for visual perfection. This was especially exemplified in the parthenon, which does not have a straight line on it so your eye is drawn upward, towards the gods. The Greeks still used the post and lintel system, and the columns were established into varying complex orders. The two main ones were the Doric and Ionic orders. The Greeks did not pay as much attention to interiors however, since most time was spent outside.
The Romans were more focused on exhibiting the strength and power of their empire, and their buildings received lavished ornamentation, but on the exterior that usually only included the front (most visible) side. Although they were able to conquer and rule the Greeks, they also were heavily influenced by them. They expanded on their building archetypes to create their own Roman hybrids. They enjoyed using the Greek orders, but also expanded upon them to create the composite and corinthian orders, a hybrid of the previous orders. These columns were usually mix and matched as surface decorations, because through the invention of concrete the post and lintel system was no longer the most efficient one. The use of arches was used excessively in Roman architecture, and always made with concrete (although it was usually veneered with brick or wood.) Roman cities were also very different from Greek cities. Greek cities were usually organically built, while Roman cities were often shoot-offs of military compounds, built on a strict grid system with two major roads crossing throughout the city. Romans also used "bread and circuses" to keep to divert the public's attention away from political upheaval. This lead to the making of many public buildings, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. But it also lead to the evolution of a new type of building to support the giant public baths so popular in the Roman Empire. This was the basilica, which would later be the foundation for the western church.

Precedent Analysis Building Selection + Justification

FRANK GEHRY'S DANCING HOUSE

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/375756486_45d753f11a.jpg)
(http://www.universaldeco.es/wp-content/dancing-house.jpg)

Located in Prague, Czech Republic, the "Dancing House" was built between 1994 and 1996. Co-designed by Croatian-born Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. The building is "an example of a deconstructivist architecture, with an unusual shape – you can actually see a couple – woman and man dancing together, holding their hands, with a skirt that sways to the music." (Dancing House) I chose this building as my subject because although it looks incredibly modern, It would be interesting to see if it's really as abstract as it seems, or does it hold a sneaking amount of classical ties. This building also was the subject of a lot of controversy, built to replace a neo-renaissance style house bombed in World War II, it contrasts sharply with the surrounding architecture. This building has also been under scrutiny of not being sound, with accusations of water leakage. I personally really like how the building breaks away from the background and establishes its own datum lines, and believe we should continue to push the limits of architecture and our imaginations of how a building should look while making sure it will last and serve the public for generations.



"Dancing House." Prague.net. 2008. 19 Feb 2009 .

IAR221 Timeline 700BC & 700AD

700AD

institutions

Arabic replaces Greek as official language of Egypt
Buddhist monasteries become center of culture (Japan)
Construction begins on the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
Climax of the Zapotec Culture
Beginning of Punuk/Birnick cultures in the Arctic
Teotihuacán destroyed by fire and deserted by its inhabitants
Easter Islanders begin to build stone platforms which form part of ceremonial enclosures

technology

Metalworking techniques reach Costa Rica from Colombia
In Eastern Arizona, Pueblo people live in houses above ground for the first time
Mississippi Native Americans build flat topped mounds as temple bases
Introduction of pagodas in Japan from China

governance

Umayyad forces destroy Carthage and Utica
Islamic army conquers Sind and found first Muslim state in India
Srivijaya takes the Melayu kingdom at Jambi; sends an expedition against the kingdoms in Java
Suwawa kingdom flourishes in North Sulawesi
Avar and Slavic tribes conquer Byzantine territories in the Balkans, occupying lands as far south as the Peloponnese in southern Greece
Arabs invade and occupy most of the Iberian peninsula except for an area in the far North

commerce

Copper and silver coins officially issued by Nara court (Japan)
Sumatran kingdom of Shrivijaya extends its trading network as far as the Moluccas and western New Guinea
Trade along the coast of East Africa expanded and promoted the founding of such settlements as Kismayu, Mogadiscio, Gedi, Malindi, Mombasa, Kilwas and others.
Construction of a new, and permanent, capital city in Nara (Heijôkyô) begins in Japan
Abd al Malik issued the first pure Islamic coins


700BC


institutions

Around this time the poet Hesoid writes the Theogony, and Works and Days
Cities are rising in the Ganges Valley
Early Celts start burying swords with their dead

technology

Aqueducts in the Middle East
New Orientalizing pottery shapes emerge in Corinth, Geometric period ends
Writing systems brought to Mauryan kingdom from Arabia and Persia
In China, boiled water is safer to drink than untreated water, and tea becomes popular, accompanied by the belief that tea has medicinal properties
Exotic Near Eastern animals, monsters and other motifs increasingly used in Greek art
Chariots introduced into Italy by Etruscans

governance

End of the First Messinian war; Sparta enslaves the Messinians, known now as helots
Assyrian army lays siege to the city of Lachish in Judah
Arrival of Gaels in Ireland
Emergence of Etruscan city-states in Central Italy

commerce

Increase in trade between Greek cities and other cultures exotic
Launacian' bronze industry flourishing in southern France
Romanians expand trade routes bringing Greeks to the Black Sea
Aryan migrations into the Ganges Valley are over or coming to an end
In the West the Lydians (Turkey) are the first to make coins

works cited

http://www.historyexplorer.net/?World_History_Timeline
http://www.camelotintl.com/world/
http://www.worldtimelines.org.uk/
http://ehistory.osu.edu
http://timelines.ws/0600AD_999AD.HTML
http://www.fsmitha.com/time-bc3.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001209.html