Greek Architecture Lecture Notes PDF

STOA Stoa was an open but protected space. Stoa is a Greek architectural term that describes a covered freestanding walkway or colonnade that was usually designed for public use, also, a long open building, its roof supported by one or more rows of columns parallel to the rear wall. In Athen...

STOA Stoa was an open but protected space. Stoa is a Greek architectural term that describes a covered freestanding walkway or colonnade that was usually designed for public use, also, a long open building, its roof supported by one or more rows of columns parallel to the rear wall. In Athens the famous Stoa Poikile (“Painted Stoa”), c. fifth century B.C.E., housed paintings of famous Greek military exploits including the battle of Marathon. STOA Greek city planners came to prefer the stoa as a device for framing the agora of a city or town. RELIGION AND ARCHITECTURE The Greek religion was in the main a worship of natural phenomena, of which the gods were personifications, and each town or district had its own divinities, ceremonies, and traditions. There are also traces of other primitive forms of religion, such as the worship of ancestors and deified heroes. The priests who carried out the appointed rites, in which both men and women officiated, were not an exclusive class, and often served for a period only, retiring afterwards into private life. GODS AND GODDESSES Ancient civilizations generally had reciprocal relationships with their gods, with each side having responsibilities to the other. To ensure the gods continued to grace the people with good fortune, it was important for people to regularly honor them. Temple-building was an important part of any city construction. Zeus Chief of the gods and supreme ruler Hera Wife of Zeus and goddess of marriage Apollo Son of Zeus and father of AEsculapius. Theg God who punishes, heals, and helps. Hestia Goddess of the hearth Heracles God of strength and power MOUNT OLYMPUS GREEK TEMPLES Greek temples were very standardized in appearance, with similar construction methods and styles across all examples. Stylistic elements included: Pediments Friezes Architraves, columns Cellae Freedom and spiritual values were symbolized in temples. Their religion was based on worship of natural phenomena. GREEK ARCHITECTURE; WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?? 1 its logic and order 2 invention of the classical "orders“ 3 exquisite architectural sculpture 4 It influenced other architectural schools ARCHITECTURE IN SERVICE OF RELIGION 1 Greek construction was of a simple post and lintel or trabeated construction. Trabeated system Having horizontal beams or lintels rather than arches 2 Their ground plans were always very simple, usually rectangular. With a combination of simple ground plans and trabeated construction, they 3 were able to create amazing buildings, Buildings were constructed by skilled craftsmen who were in demand and 4 traveled from one state to the other for construction work. 5 Designs were done on the ground by measuring out the foundation TRABEATED SYSTEM Trabeated (Post and lintel) system A building system where strong horizontal elements (lintel, header, architrave) are held up by strong vertical elements (columns, pillar, post)with large spaces between them. A "fundamental principle" of Ancient Greek architecture, builders continue to use this method to support the weight of the structure above the openings for windows and doors in a bearing wall. GREEK TEMPLES (ARCHITECURE) Throughout history, the ratio for length to width of rectangles of 1.61803 39887 49894 84820 has been considered the most pleasing to the eye. This ratio was named the golden ratio by the Greeks. In the world of mathematics, the numeric value is called "phi", named for the Greek sculptor Phidias. The space between the columns form golden rectangles. There are golden rectangles throughout this structure which is found in Athens, Greece. TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE The most important Greek building was the temple The temple had the finest building materials and the richest decoration. It was also the most complex of architectural form. It was designed not to hold worshippers, but as symbolic dwelling of the gods The temple is usually rectangular in plan It is lifted on a podium, and in plan has colonnades on all its external sides TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE The number of columns is always even to allow the location of the entrance in the center; temples with odd number of columns are uncommon. Temples with 2 columns in front are diastyle, 4-tetrastyle, 6-hexastyle, 8-octastyle and 10-decastyle. Greek temples usually have twice the number of columns in front plus one by the side; A hexastyle temple =six columns in front &thirteen on side ARCHITECTURAL TERMS ARCHITECTURAL TERMS TEMPLES (FROM WOOD TO STONE) The Origin The word “Architecture” comes from the Greek Architecton, which means “master carpenter.” Early Greek architecture therefore employed wood, not stone. These early structures, as well as those of mud-brick, have not survived. TEMPLES (FROM WOOD TO STONE) Petrified Architecture By the 6th century B.C. stone replaced wood in the construction of the important temples. The Designs of the temple elements reflect their origins in wood. The three barred design of the triglyph, which alternates with the square, sculpted metope, was designed to mimic the grooves of a wooden truss’s end. This transformation in material from wood to stone is referred to as Petrification. TEMPLES (FROM WOOD TO STONE) In moving from wood to stone, architects have to the different properties of the building materials. Stone has greater compressive strength (resists crushing) Wood has greater tensile strength (tolerate bending and twisting). TEMPLES (FROM WOOD TO STONE) As a result, the Greeks designed their temples that could have widely-spaced columns, but their superstructures had to be solid, unified masses capable of being held together by multiple columns. This part must be solid. This part can have open space TEMPLES (FROM WOOD TO STONE) Early temples had massive pillars and they loo low and wide. Later Greek temples appear taller and more elegant. GREEK ORDERS GREEK ORDERS GREEK ORDERS GREEK ORDERS GREEK ORDERS Doric Order - The earliest and most basic style. - The Doric column is sturdy, and its capital is plain. - Emphasis on stability and grace (massive and weighty). - The columns are fluted. - Heavy use of entasis, - This style was used in the Greek mainland and the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. GREEK ORDERS Doric Order GREEK ORDERS Ionic Order - The Ionic style is thinner and more elegant. - The capital is decorated with a scroll-like design (a volute). - This style was found in eastern Greece and the islands.