Major Values of Pre-Modern and Modern Architecture - Term Paper Example

? Term Paper, Architecture Introduction This paper seeks to explore and verify the hypothesis that or ntation in the pre-modern architecture was for aesthetic values whereas the modern architecture was majorly utilitarian. To do this, this paper will work on the basis of two texts: Pugin`s” True Principles of Pointed Christian Architecture” and “Improvement of Modern Systems” by Sitte. This paper will determine the aspect of utility in the expression of architectural designs as well as it will analyze the differences and similarities in the architectural designs of the two texts. Beauty of art in architectural design is still cherished. Modern buildings still incorporate beauty of art in there structural design which is in line with the old practice of pre-modern architecture. According to a quote from “Improvement of Modern Systems” by Sitte- “Our study has certainly demonstrated that it is not at all necessary to design modern city plans in as stereotyped a fashion as is the custom, that it is quite unnecessary to forgo in them all the beauties of art and the attainments of the past”, he confirms how pre-modern architecture focused on ornamentation that were aesthetic in value. In as far as the ornamentation in modern architecture need to maximize the good of all users, the necessity of stereotyped fashion that focused more on beauties of art was still somewhat of use in modern architecture. However, it is impractical to conceive stone ceilings much better contrived compared to those of the early churches. This is because they are at once, beautiful, light, substantial, and lofty. First, they are light, since, their principal strength anchors in the ribs and the intermediate spaces or the spandrils are packed in with small light stones. Secondly, they are substantial, since for every stone being cut to the centre and forming the portions of the curve, when combined they are capable of thwarting immense pressure and the keys or the bosses wedging all together. Thirdly, they are beautiful, since for no ceiling is worth being conceived more elegant and graceful than an elongated perspective of lines and arches which radiate from exquisitely carved centers. Fourthly, they are lofty, since, not only in relation to the elevation at which these stone ceilings of early churches are placed, but also that their construction enables the clerestory windows to get carried up high with a crown of the arch inside the intermediate spaces. Pitch roof express beauty and slide off snow Pre-modern architecture design utilized pitch roof so often. This is because of its perceived utility and beautiful appearance as opposed to the ugly look of flat roof. In pointed architecture, the pitch of roof is a subject in which certain useful observations might be made. One can find, on examination that the extremely beautiful pitch of any roof or gable end is undoubtedly an inclination satisfactorily steep to slide off snow without offering the slate too perpendicular a strain, that is created by the two sides on equilateral triangle. When this form is departed from, the gable definitely appears either too widely spread or painfully acute. Every really beautiful form in ornamentation of architecture is actually based on soundest principles of utility. The Practical men know how fiat-pitched roofs, that are extremely ugly in appearance, are nothing more than an ill calculated roof incapable of resisting the action of weather. Moreover, especially in slated roofs, gusts of wind in fact, blow under and also lift up the covering. Purpose of ornamentation is a factor to consider in design work The purpose of ornamentation should come out clearly and be shown in the both internal and external appearance of any design work. Ornamentation should clearly reveal the purpose unto which a building is to be put. A building for worship of God, for example; should be different from the one used for settlements. A chapel should be different from house of residence. Cathedral should be different from a parochial church. Royal place of residence should be different from manorial mansion (Pugin, 2012, p. 47). Pugin, in his “True Principles of Pointed Christian Architecture”, says he now considers decoration with reference to propriety; what he meant by propriety is this; “that the external and internal appearance of an edifice should be illustrative of, and in accordance with, the purpose for which it is destined.” The level of propriety in architecture should always be in harmony with the ornamentation of the architecture design. The application of architecture should be determined by the purpose upon which the building is to be put. The judicial building should be different from a learning institution. Designs used in the ancient times greatly influenced the architectural designs used in the construction of ancient cities, homesteads as well as streets. Most architects were designers of church buildings. Pugin argues that external and internal manifestation of a house should be expounding of, and in agreement with, the reason for which it is meant (Pugin, 1836, p. 42). In most societies buildings used for worship were more decorated than those used for dwelling. However this has changed in modern society, most churches are built without any significant regard to traditional architectures of constructing churches. Most churches of the present day are not as costly as the ancient churches (Pugin, 2012, p. 52). They are considered to be mere large rooms filled with seats. No ornaments are used in churches and if they are then just mere screen. This is not what was used to be done in construction of ancient churches. They the most decorated of all the construction works. The choices of ornaments were clearly done in decoration of the ancient church. Emblems of pagans would not find their way in decorating the churches. A lot of emphasis was laid on the biblical history of decorating the churches than is the case of today. Pagan decorations were specifically used where they belong. In design of churches, the height of churches during design or decoration was very significant (Pugin, 1836, p. 60). Setting of the church was very important as an aspect of consideration during design stage. Schools and other social amenities were always constructed near most churches. During design and construction phases a lot of considerations were made including environment surrounding the structure. Every detail in pure architecture has a purpose The True Principles of Pointed Christian Architecture by Pugin suggests that; “In pure architecture the smallest detail should have a meaning or serve a purpose; and even the construction itself should vary with the material employed,…” Pugin claims that a building to be used in theater has a different material compared to others used for selling market products. Modern architectural designs have shown very little concern to the traditional designs. During the ancient times, ornamentation of the cathedrals and contributions of individuals was associated with some form of blessings or the other. Contribution to the design and construction of the church associated with both earthly blessings as well as heavenly blessings. The people of ancient times more so the clergy were never satisfied with how beautiful their ornamentations in the church were, they kept on improving their work every now and then. During design stage materials to be used in construction would be determined by the use unto which the building was to be put. Ornamentation of building originated from church decoration It can be deduced that the ornamentation of buildings has their root in the church decorations. Most religious leaders of ancient were very passionate when it came to design and ornamentation of the churches and cathedral. It was believed that this was one way of contributing to the development of Kingdom of God. It`s worth noting that both the decorations and structural makeup’s are completely different. Since the arrangement of the design plan would also be determined by the purpose into which the building was to be put, utilitarianism in the modern architecture forces the design of modern architecture to care more about the overall good of users of the building and the intended use at the expense of beauty of art, that was in ancient time an issue of concern. Camillo Sitte design of a theater. Some of the ancient designs have been adopted by modern designers like in construction of churches and other social amenities as well as roads. However it is realized that modern system is different from artistic planning. Religion and region determine the design and ornamentation Designs and ornamentation of churches varied in accordance to the religion and region. The Italian architectural design of church for instance was completely different from those of the Greece. Pagan places of worships were completely different from those of the Christians. While in Christian temples there were decorated with the ornaments taking the form of cross, the pagan idol places of worships were decorated with curved images of idols and animals. The choice of architecture was also determined by the climate of the land. The snow prone areas had pitched roofing to avoid accumulation of snow whereas the warm areas like Greece had flat roofing.1 This is the design of the church in Greece. Most warm regions adopt this kind of design of church (Pugin, 1836, p. 49). This a design of most churches in very cold regions where snow is likely to accumulate on the roof tops making the rooms very cold (Pugin, 1836, p. 50). Most learning institutions took the architectural designs of the churches. Most cathedrals doubled as worship centers as well as learning centers. An example of renowned learning centers that took the architectural designs is the Oxford University. Bibliography Pugin, Augustus Welby Northmore, and Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. 2012. Contrasts; and, True principles of pointed or Christian architecture. Reading: Spire. Sitte, Camillo. 1986. The Birth of Modern City Planning: Improvements in the Modern System. Welby Pugin.1836. The true principles of pointed or Christian architecture. London York street Covent garden. Read More