Architecture Technology in the 19th (Industrial Revolution) and 20th Century - Term Paper Example

Name: Unit: Course: Professor: Submission Date: Architecture Technology in the 19th (Industrial Revolution) and 20th Century Introduction Technology is the practical application of knowledge garnered from scientific advances to solve problems or satisfy certain needs in the daily human life. Every human endeavor needs technology to make it easier. Different people understand technology in different ways depending on their background orientation (Senk 42). Architecture is the artistic designing, structuring, and constructing of physical building structures. Architecture technology is, therefore, the application of advanced scientific knowledge to the designing, structuring, and the actual construction of physical building structures. Architecture technology is as old as humankind (Ali and Moon 205). Architecture Technology in the 19th Century The nineteenth century is associated with great advances in technology including the industrial revolution of 1760 to 1840 (Wengenroth 1). The industrial revolution led to the transformation and introduction of modern methods of construction, introduction of new machines, and new solutions to existing and emergent problems (Adeboye 27).The architecture sector was transformed by the emergency of new technology in construction during the industrial revolution. Coal was the kick start for the industrial revolution not only in the U.K but the whole world. Coal energy replaced wood energy and could provide three times power compared to wood. Therefore, coal provided fuel and power on a massive scale. Coal energy enabled manufacture of iron, coke, and glass in large quantities (Raji 20) Industrial revolution enabled replacement of old building materials with new ones. Previously, building materials were mostly lime mortar, stone, timber, and concrete. Metals were rarely used. For instance, in 1800, the production of iron stood at 825,000 tons in the world. Industrial revolution increased its production to 40 million tons by 1900. Industrial revolution technologies enabled the production of iron in three forms namely cast iron, wrought iron, and steel. Cast iron contained a high degree of impurities making it brittle. Wrought iron was more refined and malleable with medium tensile strength. Steel was the most versatile and the strongest of them all. Steel was manufactured through a conversion process where impurities were removed out of the iron ore through combustion. After burning, carbon was added in predetermined levels to improve hardness. Steel had tensile strength, and it was compressive. Its strength was greater than any other material previously known, and it revolutionized architecture (Web 2) Portland cement was invented in 1824 and due to its questionable tensile strength builders invented the technology of reinforced concrete. Concrete was used to protect iron and steel bars from weathering and fire in buildings. The invention of cement came with the invention of cement taster and the cement mixer in the mid-19th century (Web 2). New methods of manufacturing glass known as the cylinder process developed in Europe in early 19th century. In 1832, Chance Brothers started producing sheet glasses. This new technology of producing glasses enabled production of larger panes of glass without interruption or breakage (Adeboye 29) Previously there were only machines for making bricks in small quantities but new technology during the industrial revolution introduced new machines for mixing clay and making bricks in large quantities. For instance, the Hoffman Kiln was invented in 1858 for the production of bricks and ceramic products. The kiln produces bricks in batches. It contains series of manufacturing rooms and a rolling fire wagon that burn bricks one room at a time until they are vitrified. The kiln could use any fuel including wood fuel, gasoline, and natural gas (Raji 44). Technological advancement during the industrial revolution saw the construction of Crystal Palace that has been dubbed the sanctuary of industrialization (Kondo 4). Crystal Palace, a modern technology building in London, was constructed in the mid-19th century. The architectural style used in its construction was Victorian Technologies. It is a cast iron and plate glass structure of 1851. The cast plate glass method in conjunction with strong and large glass sheets were used to build Crystal Palace. Built of clear walls and ceilings there was no need of interior lightings (Kondo 5) Figure 1: Crystal Palace Ottomans Architectural Technology was developed in the 19th century and remained in trend even in the 20th century. This technology of architecture used cantilevered wood balconies in the first level of the buildings. Construction technique of timber framing and brick infill became closely associated with Basra and southern Iraqi architecture (Grabar 13) The Eiffel Tower located in Paris is an iron lattice tower constructed in 1889. It remained the tallest structure in Paris for many years. It consists of four lattice girders joined by metal trusses. Later it was decorated with arches at base and glass pavilion at first level.The triangular design of the building enabled the construction of the tall structure. This tower is a case of materials structures prosperities and performance thanks to the industrial revolution. The most intriguing aspect of the tower is that it can undergo thermal expansion and contraction. Itexpands and contracts fifteen centimeters during the hottest and the coldest day respectively. Figure 2: The Eiffel Tower The industrial revolution brought new technologies, introduced new methods of architectural designs, and enabled construction of modern buildings. It also revolutionized quarrying and manufacture of building materials. For instance, the quarrying of slate in North Wales was revolutionized in the 19th century with the dawn of the industrial revolution. Parts of the Roman fort were built using slates. The Industrial revolution led to enormous growth in demand for slates to roof the long terraces of houses built as homes for the workers as well as the foundries and factories. In 1882, slate quarries in Wales produced more than 280,000 tons of slate used for roofing purposes. The production rose to 485,000 tons in 1998. (https://www.museumwales.ac.uk/401/) Architecture Technology in the 20th Century The industrial revolution led to the development of new architect inexpensive materials such as steel, glass, and reinforced concrete (Raji 19). The development of modern technology heightened the need to have modern cities. Modern architecture technology has replaced indigenous architecture in many parts of the world (Raji 19). New cutting age technologies have led to the development of new building materials that have led to the construction of modern buildings (Raji 20, Tucker 23, Salama and Gharib 10). Technological advancement has always had a positive impact on architecture. However, from the late 20th century, science is taking over. Today we have a new architecture where designing of curved and non-linear buildings has been made possible by newly developed computer-based techniques of designing and structuring buildings (Raji 22). The 20th century witnessed a new wake in the architecture technology. Building materials saw their production applying modern technology. Steel is hot or cold-rolled. The Casting of aluminum panels and extrusion of aluminum sections has been made possible by modern technology. Others include automated production of glass sheets, extrusion, and transformation of plastic components, the invention of new fasteners and sealants, reinforced concrete, and the central heating system (Raji 22). Modern construction materials have revolutionized modern buildings. Figure 3 and 4 illustrate the transformation made by modern technology in architecture Figure 3: Traditional Architecture Figure 4: Use of Modern Technology (Raji 25) The development of the Faith Tabernacle (1998-1999) located at Ota; Nigeria is associated with the modern architecture technology developed during the industrial revolution (Adeboye 30). The technology used in building this structure was developed in the 19th century and dubbed Ecclesiastes Architecture. The Guinness Book of World Records acclaimed the building as the biggest church auditorium in January 2008. The Capsule Tower in Japan was constructed using the Japanese Metabolism Architecturein 1972. It was designed using the capsule architecture design. The capsules are stacked together at varying angles. The building consists of interconnected towers made of reinforced concrete. The technology used combined ideas of architecture with those of growth in biological organic substances. Each capsule is a cubical measuring 2.3 meters by 3.8 meters by 2.1 meters and can be removed without affecting the neighboring capsules. The capsules are connected to main shafts by use of high tension bolts made of steel. One capsule can be removed at a time without affecting the others since each capsule is independently attached. The capsules are welded with steel truss and galvanized with reinforced steel panels. The steel panels are with paint that prevents rust and covered by Kenitesglossy spray ( Ali and Moon 47, Senk 47) Figure 5: The Capsule Tower The Sydney Opera House in Sydney was completed in 1973. It is an example of the application of modern technology in architecture. The building was constructed using a technology known as the Expressionist Architecture. The building design was inspired by the mass production of bricks, steel, and especially glass in the 20thcentury. The design was also inspired by modern materials and innovative skills gained during the Germany Revolution of 1919. The building is supported by concrete piers that are sunk more than 25 meters below the sea level. The roof is made of precast concrete panels that are supported by ribs of precast concrete (Ali and Moon 48) Figure 6: The Sydney Opera House Conclusion Technology is the use of scientific knowledge to solve human problems. The architecture itself is considered a technology as well, as it is an implementation of human’s need for shelter and protection. From the early days of humans, people translated their needs for a place to live in into houses. Made out of simple techniques, they started primitive shelters from the simplest building technology. The traditional technology evolved into our modern houses and even developed into complicated ones with the dawn of modern technology enhanced by industrial revolution of between 1760 and 1840. Architecture and technology go hand-in-hand, this is because architecture is an invention, and an invention is considered technology. Different architecture technologies have led to the construction of world most reckoned buildings. These include Crystal Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Faith Tabernacle, and the Capsule Tower. Modern technology has also revolutionized the extraction and manufacture of building materials such as steel, aluminum, and slate. Today architecture technology has advanced to the point of developing diagrid structures and more advanced outrigger systems. Adventures in modern technology have facilitated the invention of auxiliary damping system that is able to control motion of a building. Works Cited Adeboye, A. Babajide. “Effects of Industrial Revolution on Ecclesiastical Architecture in Nigeria: A Case Study of Faith Tabernacle at Ota” International journal of Management Information, 3.2 (2015): 27-34. Print. Ali, Mir and Kyoung, Moon. “Structural Developments in Tall Buildings: Current Trends and Future Prospects” Architectural Science Review, 50.3 (2007): 205-223. Print. Kondo, Ariyuki. “The Rise of Modern technology and Symbolic-functionalism: The Expression of “Englishness” in the Functionalist Theory of A.W.N. Pugin” European-American Culture Department (1998): 1-9. Print. Raji, A. Mustapha. “Architecture and Emerging Cities: The Impact of Technological Change in Building Material: A Study of Minna, Nigeria, Arts and Design, 7 (2013): 19-48. Print. Salama, Ashraf and Remah, Gharib. “Architecture Planning Built Environment Studies” International Journal of Architectural Research, 7.1 (2013): 1-196). Print. Senk, Peter. “The Plugin Concept: Technology and Aesthetics of Change” Architecture, Research, 1.2 (2013): 42-51. Print. Grabar, Owen. “ Islam, Art and Architecture” International Journal of Architectural Designs, 3.1 (2006): 8-23.Print. Tucker, Lisa. “18th & 19th Century Sustainable Design Technologies in the Eastern U.S.”Baca Del Rio 39 (2008): 23-29. Print. Web: https://www.museumwales.ac.uk/401/ Retrieved 2/12/2015 Web 2: Building Design/Architecture - The Industrial Revolution—new Materials. Wengenroth, Ulrich. “Science, Technology, and Industry in the 19th Century” Munich Center for the History of Science and Technology, (2000): 1-34. Print. Read More