Our previous knowledge of foundations has helped us make connections with a new unit: alternatives. The alternatives unit is about knowing the architecture beyond the basics. How did the foundations of architecture affect what came next? The foundations set precedents for the next time peiriod. The alternatives unit correlates to the word “revision”, as the Medieval (gothic), Renaissance, Baroque and Rococco eras all took architecture from the foundations (Egypt, Greece & Rome) and reshaped it to create a new.The Gothic era began with the rise of Christianity. As this religion’s importance expanded horizontally, the churches grew vertically. Gothic cathedrals aimed to bring heaven to earth. Cathedrals are a place of worship away from the outsie world. For example, at Amiens, the door is where the transformation begins. Yje emtrance is designed with scultptures of human figures from the bible. As one moves inside the cathedral, intricacy of etail becomes greater. It is designed in a cruciform shape, the intersection being where the significant moment between heaven and earth happens. The columns are extremely decorative and the use of windows in the nave lights up the church, making it a heavenly place. This idea of heaven “ambushes reality” (The Amiens Trilogy: Part 2) and provides the “ideal” place for escape.
After the Gothic came the Renaissance. The renaissance was a period of rebirth, during which architects took aspects from the ancient world to create a new style of architecture. For example, Brunelleschi built the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore through inspiration by the pantheon. However, he built it differently, through the use of a cloister vault, with 2 octagonal domes inside one another and chained tension holding them up. This was the newest effort beyond the Ancient World. Also during this time period, Gestalt principles evolved, such as balance, symmetry and rhythm. These aspects were extremely important, as they conformed to the goals of the Renaissance: to be formally organized, but still visually pleasing. There was an unwritten book of rules that overpowered the Renaissance. People never broke these rules. Also important in the Renaissance was an increased focus on private spaces. Along with churches, palazzos and villas were being built. Palazzos became the most important form of architecture next to churches, because they were built for families. The villas were introduced when wealthy families sought a place of escape from city life. With the land in the countryside, complementary gardens were built with the villas. The Renaissance was all about taking the best of the Ancient World and making it new again.
Last is the Baroque/Roccoco era. These 2 styles go together because they occurred simultaneously in different regions. However, both styles are quite similar. The noticeable difference is that Roccoco detail is a bit more calm, with paler colors and lots of whites. The Baroque era introduced fluidity, or rather movement, in architecture. This movement was a way of pushing the boundaries of the Renaissance and breaking the rules. This trend was started by Michaelangelo, and continued to be a focus until the French Enlightenment. All of a sudden, the movement was created by excessive decoration and theatricality in design. Everything was overexaggerated. The Baroque era was a shifted mindset that brought new ideas to the table. The use of water became crucial in designs such as the Trevi Fountain and San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (The Chapel of Four Fountains). Water also becomes a major part of design through landscape, whether in fountain or pond form. In a garden, a water “fixture” can usually be found where axes cross.
All of these ideas give way to the technologies unit, beginning with the French Enlightenment. During the beginning of Neoclassicism, the rules are revised and recreated once again. Design moves inside the box in preparation for even more rule-breaking as new technologies arise.
No comments:
Post a Comment