ARC 213 - History of Architecture I - Week 1 Overview PDF

# ARC 213 - HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE I ## Course Lecturer: Arc. Wole Alagbe Ph.D ## Course Aim: - Acquaint students with architectural innovations and shortcomings of past civilizations. - Use knowledge of past civilization as a springboard to forge a better understanding of the present challenges...

# ARC 213 - HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE I ## Course Lecturer: Arc. Wole Alagbe Ph.D ## Course Aim: - Acquaint students with architectural innovations and shortcomings of past civilizations. - Use knowledge of past civilization as a springboard to forge a better understanding of the present challenges and their solutions. ## Course Objectives: - Chronicle evolution of architecture of earlier civilizations to Modern architecture. - Acquaint us with architectural innovations and shortcomings of past civilizations. - Use architectural knowledge of the past as a springboard to forge a better understanding of the present. - Evaluate how environmental influences affect the architecture of a place. - Development in age of learning positively enhances architectural possibilities and structural innovations. - Building materials available & technology developed to utilize them largely determine the nature of the architecture of that civilization. ## Understanding of Architecture: ### What is architecture? Art + Science Design + Build Demonstrate solution to practical problems associated with the purpose of building such as... ### What is history of architecture? Chronological record of events based on critical examination of architectural source materials e.g.... Presented with an explanation of their causes from ancient to present. ### Why do we practice architecture? We practice architecture for the purposes of: - Fulfill both practical (utilitarian) and expressive requirements (aesthetic). - Produce unique indigenous architectural styles (e.g. ...) using various building techniques. - Produce structures that serves man as a form of defense against the natural environment. - Give man the benefits of a built environment, i.e. a symbol of the development of civilized institutions. ## General Overview (Ancient - Modern Period): - What is civilization? - Ancient Civilization - Egyptian Architecture - Babylonians, Assyrians & Persian Period - Greek Architecture - Roman Architecture - Medieval Architecture - Renaissance Architecture - Modern Architecture - Factors that led to Birth of Modern Architecture - Views of Modern Architects on Architecture ### What is Civilization: Stage of social development from a savage or ignorant condition to a refined or a developed stage. ### Ancient Civilization: - Ancient man lived in natural shelter called... - Due to his nomadic nature, he constructed huts for reasons such as... - Not satisfied with his hut, he thought of improving its utility. - He explored the aesthetic appeal of certain proportions, colour combinations and textures. - Constructional forms changed gradually as art introduced itself into construction with new ideas of utility, form and feeling for aesthetics. - These crude developments in his architectural utilities are evidence of refinement in civilisation of the early people. ### Egyptian Architecture: - Civilization started with the Egyptians. - They introduced remarkable architectural forms such as... - They constructed huge structures using blocks of stones for posts and lintels. - Their belief in life after death made them construct tombs for their kings and temples for their gods. - Egyptian civilization was between about 5000BC to its conquest by Rome in 30BC. ### Babylonians, Assyrians and Persians Period: - Growth and flexibility of architecture was enriched by these civilizations. - The latter conquered the former respectively and each adopted architectural ideas from the vanquished. - Assyrians built bulky columns for supports and defense against aggression from other colonies. - The Persians conquered the Assyrians and refined the shapes of columns to be less bulky and less obvious supports by reducing their shafts in section. ### Greek Architecture: - Predominantly good in literature and architecture. - They reflected the progress of the soul of man (intuitive thinking). - Greek civilization cannot be traced down to any known civilization but was mainly a creation of their restless, innovating and challenging mind. - Due to their independence, Greek architecture achieved magnificence and mastery of composition. - Greek architecture were in themselves documents of their civilization than any single work of Greek literature. - In this sense, architecture might be called the sheet anchor of history. - The Greeks developed a style of proportion known as "order of architecture". - An order of architecture is a systematic proportioning of the base, column and entablature related to the diameter of a column. - It is said that these orders were based on the proportions of the human body. - The orders are Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. ### Roman Architecture: - The Roman republic started in 509BC after the overthrow of the Greeks. - The Romans used arches for vaults and domes. - They utilized pozzolana sand, mortar, plaster and concrete. - They developed varieties of public and entertainment buildings. ### Medieval Architecture: - Religious architecture of Christianity and Islam as it took place during the Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic periods. - Byzantine - concept of central church assembled around a central dome. - Romanesque - development of fortified and stone vaulted buildings. - Gothic period (AD1100-1500) - churches were constructed with pointed arches, with arched ribs supported by stone pillars called flying buttresses. - These structures led to the development of the idea of the framed structure. ### Renaissance Architecture: - Renaissance means "rebirth" of classical art and architecture and literature. - Upsurge of interest in classical learning and values, and revival of naturalism. - Proportioning was seen as the predetermining factor of beauty. - Beauty in architecture was defined by Leon Battista Alberti (1401-1472) as a harmony of all parts in whatsoever subject it appears, fitted together with such proportion and connection that nothing could be added, diminished or altered, but for the worse. - Perspective was formulated by Fillipo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) during this period. - Piero della Franscesca defined perspective as objects seen from afar in proportion to their repetitive distance. ### Modern Architecture: - From AD1750 onwards. - Can be classified into two kinds; - Vernacular architecture - traditional way of design. - Characterized by little creativity and originality. - Artisans construct such type of buildings without any guidance from architects or other building professionals. - Designed architecture - conscious effort to create something new. - Function, form and aesthetics are the three considerations in designed architecture. ## Factors That Led To Birth of Modern Architecture: - Industrial revolution of the 18th century changed the traditional style of living. - Wealth changed hands bringing about a new elite class with new tastes. - Buildings were needed for factories, schools, offices, hospitals, airports, residences, etc. - Man realized the futility of meaningless ornamentation of buildings, the traditional styles and orders of architecture. - The economic depression caused by the First World War, brought about the need and importance for functional planning. - The development and use of reinforced concrete (RC) in construction. - Functional structure with RC columns, beams, and slabs were found to be economical owing to the increased speed of construction and proper utilization of space. - Architects got more freedom to plan buildings suitable for various purposes and environments. ## Views of Modern Architects on Architecture: - “an architect is a poet who thinks and speaks in terms of construction – Auguste Perret - Architectural design is “the architects graphical solution of a project economically, structurally and aesthetically” – Louis Sullivan - Vitruvius stated that the principles and requirements of good architecture are “utilitas” – utility (good planning), “firmitas"- sound construction, and “venustas” - pleasing appearance. - Frank Llyod Wright defined modern architecture as “power” i.e. material resources directly applied to purpose. - Le Corbusier defined architecture in terms of light and shade. He said “architecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in light. Thus cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids are the great forms which light reveals to advantage. They are not only beautiful forms, but the most beautiful forms". - He also stated that “architecture does not exist; only function exists". ## Finish Till next week.