Victorian Architecture - Research Proposal Example

 Introduction The Victorian architecture consists of a series of architectural styles, which were applicable from mid to the late 19th century. The name was driven from the time in power of Queen Victoria who ruled from 1837-1901, which is referred as the Victorian Era. During this time, Victorian building styles were used in construction. The styles comprised of interpretations, as well as, eclectic revivals of the historic styles that were mixed with an introduction of the Asian and Middle East influences. The name represents the French and British custom used in naming architectural styles for a monarch in power. This paper examines the significance of Victorian architecture to the modern architecture. Literature review According to Mark Crinson, Victorian architecture depicts cultural exchanges, which took place over those years. The claim is based on a sub claim that the buildings in the Victorian era are forgotten monuments and convictions in a world whose glory is lost. However, the colonial architecture of the nineteenth century has a large significance over the colonial age and history (Crinson, 98). Additionally, the Victorian architectures have a number of readable meanings since the forgotten monument architectural style and convictions indicate the cultural and religious aspect. The forgotten architecture parts indicate that there is a transformation over a number of years due to the interaction with a number of architectures and cultures from all over the world. These have largely influenced the architecture to date. Additionally, the author claims that Victorian architecture was mainly influenced by political and religious agendas and architects were guided by the racial theory. Paul Dobraszczyk points out that a number of engineers, architects, manufacturers, as well as theorists in the Victorian era thought that fussing ornaments and iron would end up reconciling technology and art due to the evolving architecture. According to this author, evolution of architecture leads to creation of new and modern architecture. He supports his cub claim by arguing that the Victorian architectures had a number of readable meanings due to the development of the automated iron architectural ornament during the period (Dobraszczyk 103). Sophia Psarra claims that the Victorian architects share several commonalities regarding the art of designing buildings as well as other spaces experienced through usage and movements due to the social narrative, spatial and conceptual ordering. They constitute the most crucial ways of perceiving, using, as well as shaping buildings. The author claims that the architects have their significance since the social narrative, spatial and conceptual ordering indicatesthat the Victorian architecture is largely perceived globally (Psarra 72).However, social narrative, spatial, and conceptual ordering greatly varies amongst several Victorian architectures. Colonialism and culture affected the Victorian architectures, but individuals could not have viewed, perceived, and shaped all buildings in a comparable manner. Therefore, buildings were constructed differently, but had similar qualities, which described the Victorian architecture. The author indicates a number of factors, as well as, evidence different from colonialism and culture that affects architecture. Wheeler argues against the Victorian architecture claiming that it was a corruption of the architecture in the Renaissance, which existed before since they share a number of qualities. However, a number of changes have been experienced over the years since the Renaissance architecture, which was followed by the Victorian architecture and now to the current modern architecture (Wheeler 115). The author’s argument is based on the mid-1880s article by the British architecture journal, which was influential. Therefore, the Victorian architectures have a number of readable meanings due to the conflicting characterizations, which exist due to the effect of the Victorian architecture on the modern architecture. Additionally, the author claims that the modern architectural profession is accredited to the Victorian architecture. All authors apart from Wheeler claim that the Victorian architecture had similar qualities and were developed during the Victorian era, which described the architectural skills applied during the period. However, Wheeler claims that Victorian architecture was developed following the Renaissance architecture. Contribution During the Victorian era, in an attempt to express individuality in the society a number of individuals used architecture as a tool of communicating ideas and architectural details and forms were largely used for symbolic reasons rather than functional reasons. Generally, building during this era differed slightly in a small degree that was contributed by the builder’s personal taste. Individuals expressed their feelings and way of life through buildings. The design they used in building houses largely spoke of their net worth, social standing, as well as superstitions. Objectives of the research To establish the importance of the Victorian architecture during that era To determine the impact of the Victorian architecture on modern architecture The research will utilize a variety of secondary sources in outsourcing data and information that will help towards achieving the objectives of the study. Methodology The data collected will enable the research to meet its objectives by answering the research questions. Primary sources and secondary sources will offer the detailed information and evidence about the development of Victorian architecture hence enhancing the research data The research will comprise of the introduction, literature review, methodology, data analysis and conclusions. The research will establish the significance of the Victorian architecture on the Modern architecture, whereby secondary sources will be used in the research as they have adequate information on Victorian architecture. These sources include architectural journals, articles, books like Architecture and Narrative: The Formation of Space and Cultural meaning and Empire Building Orientalism and Victorian Architecture and related materials. Primary sources will be applicable to the research and will be integrated with the secondary sources to get effective data on the research. This will establish the evolution of the Victorian architecture and how if influences the modern architecture. Therefore, the research will comprise secondary and primary data to establish the evolution of the Victorian architecture and how it influences the modern architecture. Conclusion and recommendations The Victorian architecture has largely influenced modern architecture since a number of designs were developed during that era. Several authors have also claimed that the Victorian era was significant in the development of the Victorian architecture. This era has largely contributed to the development of modern architecture. This research will enable many modern architects to understand the Victorian architecture and the designs developed during that era. The research requires addressing the evolution of the Victorian architecture and the key architects during this period. Additionally, the research requires addressing the impact of the Victorian Architecture on modern architecture. The strongest aspect of the research comprises of detailed information regarding the Victorian architecture, as well as, the chronologically development of Victorian architecture. The major weakness of the research was retrieving all the relevant data regarding the research. A number of research questions developed from the research include the relevance of the Victorian architecture in the Victorian era, the significance of the Renaissance architecture to the Victorian architecture. References Crinson, Mark. Empire Building: Orientalism and Victorian Architecture. Routledge, 2013. Print. Dobraszczyk, Paul. Iron, Ornament and Architecture in Victorian Britain: Myth and Modernity, Excess and Enchantment. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2014. Print. Psappp rra, Sophia.Architecture and Narrative: The Formation of Space and Cultural Meaning. Routledge, 2009. Print. Read More