US 2: Reverberations

(Single Ideas= foundations for architecture)

In the new unit we have seen how objects, places, buildings, and spaces have evolved into a more rebellious way of life by echoing principles and transforming them in a way that had never been done before.  We began the unit with the understanding of frozen music in architecture and how the repetition of shapes and levels give off an emotional response.  For example, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water would echo a calm and serene sound.  Furthermore, the repetitive or slight changes to a concept or idea makes music in architecture successful. 

The same success can be given to the evolution of early Christian churches where a simple idea can be transformed into something original.  The early Christian churches saw “fancy” architecture as unnecessary, but when Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium many “fancy” buildings and churches were built.  The access to water made the new capitol flourish and many people came to see the new buildings.  However, the new buildings were a more unified echo of the previously designed ideas.  For example a circle and a square created the bold domes on top and inside the Church of San Marco.

 As the Roman Empire’s government dwindled, so did the officials responsibility for the buildings.  The dark ages followed the collapse of the Roman Empire for three hundred years and when things became stable the creation of the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages began which is where medieval architecture originated.  The architecture of the Early Middle Ages consisted of numerous vaults and domes in a predominately square setting; The High Middle Ages introduced the Gothic style of architecture with filtered sunlight, diagonal ribbed ceilings, and vertical cryptic roofs over vaults; and the Late Middle Ages combined the Early and High Middle ages while adding even more extravagant ceilings and structures with points on the outward surface. 

Gothic architecture was crated to be neutral in any environment, but it lacked the original glory that Greek building possessed.  The solution to bring people out of the dark was the idea of possibilities to honor their ancestors in what was known as Renaissance Architecture.  They achieved this by ordaining philosophers, mathematicians, painters as the new craftsmen and innovators.  Names like Leonardo da Vinci stepped into the history books for architecture of a place, and not just keeping one building in mind.  Staying focused on creating the beautiful details that they believed Gothic architecture lacked was only the inspiration for Renaissance architecture, but designing the buildings with the surrounding buildings and people was the hidden success.  The difference in the rules of the east and west were also factors that made Renaissance architecture a success.  The western rules created architects who thought about only individual gain in architecture, while the eastern rules created an organized community.   The west painted only on a canvas, but the east painted on the canvas, walls, floors, ceilings and windows. 

The Baroque period was so significant, because it unified the arts with architecture and gave the rules created by the east and west the middle finger. Distortion, theatrics, and dramatic lighting created a calm and serene atmosphere.  The east took a group of buildings into consideration while the Baroque period designed whole cities keeping the belief of unity in art and architecture.  Unfortunately the development of modernism threatened the Baroque period.  During this time having a name or logo of design for buildings became very important and still is today. 

Picture Source: http://www.google.com/imgres?start=88&um=1&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=538&tbm=isch&tbnid=HKl0ikKdeb5SAM:&imgrefurl=http://www.archithings.com/modern-architecture-design-lumino-house/2010/06/18&docid=ntP8xQtVw0CrAM&imgurl=http://www.archithings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Lumino-House-architecture-sketch-588x427.jpg&w=588&h=427&ei=MxB-T4fiHYX48gSC8MDBDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=713&vpy=192&dur=1891&hovh=191&hovw=264&tx=163&ty=133&sig=114243870751919130850&page=8&tbnh=157&tbnw=216&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:88,i:29