Map Project

Diagram models

Pantheon Informational Drawings

Reading Comprehension 2

Hersey's belief of sacrifice is very valid, due to the fact that during this time the Greek culture was based off of polytheistic ideas, and sacrifices were a part of their traditional worship. In fact a building during this time period could be considered a ritual sacrifice to the gods based on its sole purpose. For example the Parthenon was a sacrifice to Athena because its sole purpose was to glorify her triumph over Poseidon. Hersey often notes that many architectural elements had different significances and Greek words and definitions in order to describe them. Some of the Greek terminology that Hersey describes, are the terms “trachelion and hypotrachelion” which come from the Greek word for "throat," and the volutes that are at the top of Ionic and Corinthian capitals can almost represent hair or horns that would be seen on a person or animal. In ancient Greek rituals some of these areas were very important on the body, in a sacrifice if it were a human or animal sacrifice. Hersey gives the reader several examples and details to support his theory however it is not enough to solidly conclude that he was right.
In today’s society it’s easy to find what we want and need through the Internet, however a tool like this has mentally crippled people in a way. The reason I say this is because it’s so easy to just find one source and call it a day. This often causes people to stop searching for true facts and just go with the first thing they fin, which in all fairness I too am guilty of at times. In the case of the character of Carson in McCaulays Motel of the Mysteries, Carson misinterprets the objects he encounters because he doesn't know anything about the culture of the lost civilization he has found, and only relies on the objects themselves as his only information source. I believe that this is giving us an example of what people often do today by using the Internet as their only source of research, which is how things can become confusing. I guess its still good to have books and newspapers after all.

In ancient Egypt one of the main tasks for a ruler was to build a grave before his death that was great in scale and structure. The pyramids at Giza, which were constructed for pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, are displays of power, wealth, status, and greatness. Their massiveness and soaring verticality emphasizes the pharaoh's dominant position over his subjects and the land. However 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 simplistic language with the use of echoes and strong centers in the multiple entrances. Built into the side of the cliff it also embraces the surrounding landscape rather than towering over it like the pyramids before it. One of the other important differences in how the structures were built were the genders of the rulers. The tomb that was built by the queen can be argued to represent the female gender because of the multiple openings, and in ancient Egypt one of the main tasks for the women were to multiply or reproduce and be the caretaker of the house while the man worked.

In examining Egyptian and Greek architecture some of the structures they contain like temples are similar. Two of these temples that could be compared are the Egyptian Hypostyle Hall and the Greek Parthenon in Athens. 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. While the Egyptian columns of the Hypostyle hall contained a stylized papyrus capital, the Greek columns around the Parthenon had more of a Doric order. the Egyptians and the Greeks both seemed to have a sense of axial progression in the structuring of these temples as well showing that their ideas of worship had similarities also.





Egyptian tombs were created on a large and massive scale. This was to represent the idea that the afterlife lasted forever and so would the tombs that held the body, in comparison to the furniture, which was built light for easy everyday usage. Although the furniture was built out of well crafted materials for that time, that was simply the Egyptian culture. However the furniture probably was not made to last as long because according to the Egyptians life was the beginning of the afterlife. I mean after all once a persons dead there not coming back, why not make the tomb better than the house they live in daily. (Sarcasm)

The two urns contain drawings of men who could possibly be rulers that have a dominant role over women. On both urns, the male figure is seated on a throne while female figures appear to be serving him. On the first urn, a woman is shown handing the male his sword and shield. Men in this time were seen as powerful warriors, which makes it ironic that the goddess Athena is associated with battle. These images reflect a male dominated culture. In the reading Harwood stated that, "Males possess independence, wealth, ownership, and education. Women, on the other hand, are their fathers' or husbands' property, being restricted by law, politics, custom, and family relationships. Their main duties are to bear children and tend the family household. Few women artists are known, and nothing by those acknowledged survives" (Harwood, 64). This is simply evidence of the culture during that time and I believe that these urns simply bare the record of that society.

Point 1

During this learning unit I learned a variety of new themes and major design movements. One of the main themes that stand out to me is the idea of Commodity, Firmness, and Delight. Vitruvius first used these three terms in order to describe what he believed was good architecture. Years later Sir Henry Wotton used these exact same terms, as a means to describe well-built structures. Over the year’s commodity, firmness and delight have held several different meanings for different cultures ant time periods. Architecture concerns not only the buildings but also the people who build as well as interact with them, this is why it is important to focus those three terms when designing a building. As a commodity the building must have some sort of use after all, what’s the point in building a structure that has no purpose? An architect must also make sure that his or her creation is stable enough for someone to interact with. Even though it may not seem as important as the other two, a building also has to have some form of aesthetics so that the person using it can take delight in it. For example
http://www.visitingdc.com/new-york/new-york-public-library-reading-room.asp
I feel that the New York Public Library fits the theory of commodity, firmness, and delight perfectly. This building serves as a public area for people to read, research, and do other things that they would not be able to do in another type of building. So it does have a function to it making it a commodity. Furthermore the structure of this building has lasted from 1895 until today spanning 94 years after it was first opened. After lasting this long it is evident that the building was built with a firmness that has served people for years. Also I personally am able to find delight in the layout of this building because it is an open space that is ornamented fairly well and represents American tradition and culture. In the book Understanding Architecture, by Leland Roth he stated that “ architecture is arguably the most accurate, the most truly revealing, human cultural artifact”(Roth, pg.12). This is indeed true because architecture itself gives others insight about where people are from as well as cultural influence that ma be evident in a structure. When it comes down to it there are several aspects in architecture, which are important to know about people: their needs, their way of life, and their culture.
In today’s society because of the diverse styles and form, it is important to understand and keep in mind the fact that there will always be a difference in taste, especially between different cultures, but the best way to handle a situation like this is by bringing all ideas to the table and compromising. Furthermore, while people of different cultures may interpret things differently the same basic theory of design is applicable to all people. Sir Henry Wotton’s ideas of commodity, firmness, and delight have a large influence in the field of design. In conclusion during this first section I have learned many aspects in regards to designing and design processing. However culture as well as commodity, firmness, and delight are some of the main points that stood out to me throughout this first section of the class.

Iar 222 Reading Comprehension #1

1. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house fits Wotton’s definition of commodity, firmness, and delight, because it addresses each of the concepts of commodity, firmness, and delight, as a structure built in the 20^th century. As a building this structure fit the category of commodity because it was a house that would be used by the Kaufmann family, and would later become a historic landmark. The house also has a sense of firmness in the fact that it has lasted form 1939 when it was completed until today; this is evidence that the structural design of this house has been well planed and constructed. It is also a structure that has been built on a waterfall, which is one of the ways that Wright used the surrounding environment to help address the concept of delight along with the unusual horizontal structuring of the house, which was a different look during that time period.

2. From the textile images that are illustrated in the Harwood text, the center design clearly reveals influences from eastern culture and design. The use of floral rose patterns as well as light colors is a key indication of the eastern influence on this particular textile. These types of designs and patterns come mostly from the Asian culture as seen in Harwood’s text.

3. If we were to take into consideration the idea that Americans need more space then, According to U.S. citizen need for personal space the room in which our Iar222 class is held is far below the American standards. However I feel that this necessity can vary based on the function of the room. For example a classroom should have more space so that a comfortable learning environment is created. On the other hand an area that would be used solely for the purpose of sleeping would not have to be as large because a person would not be as aware of their surroundings.

4. I believe that there is no such thing as an architecture of happiness because the emotion that a room or object is intended to create may not affect everyone who uses it the same way. De Botton stated in his writing “ Architecture is perplexing too, in how inconsistent is its capacity to generate the happiness on which its claim to our attention is founded. While an attractive building may on occasion flatter an ascending mood, there will be times when the most congenial of locations will be unable to dislodge our sadness or misanthropy.” I think that this supports the fact that while a building may be intended to evoke emotions of excitement and happiness, it still may not have the ability to evoke these emotions when a person is being influenced by outside factors.

http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/themeparks/new06/patriot/wof_patriot4.shtml

For example an image like this would be considered as on that could exude happiness because many people find amusement parks and roller coasters fun and enjoyable, however if a person has had a bad experience, or they are simply afraid of them then this would not be something that enticed them. This is true for architecture, if a person can link something negative in their life to a structure then it would not matter what the architect intended a the person still would not have a happy reaction to their design.