Lectures on Architectural History and Design - Assignment Example

Lecture Reflective Journals Name NEA 2101 Architectural History Design History and Design May 11, 2016 NEA 2101: Architectural History and Design WEEK 1 Notes: The lecture introduced the history of various western architectural styles. The architectural styles introduced in the lecture include Neolithic style, ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, roman byzantine architecture, byzantine architecture, Islamic architecture, Romanesque architecture, gothic, architecture, renaissance architecture, baroque architecture, neo classicism architecture, Georgian architecture, gothic revival architecture, beaux-arts, art nouveau, modernism, international style, postmodernism, and deconstructivism. Reflective Journal The first week lecture was very enjoyable owing to the fact that we were introduced to very interesting topics of the main course, which is architectural history and design. The lecture was very useful in that it enabled us understand what we were going to learn in the course. In other words, the first week lecture was an introductory lecture that was aimed at preparing us for various topics that we were going to learn in the entire course. This aim was achieved in that during the lecture, we were so anxious to learn more of what were being introduced by the lecturer. The main contents of the first week’s lecture were the introduction about a history of western architectural styles. Some of the architectural styles introduced in the lecture include Neolithic style, ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, roman byzantine architecture, byzantine architecture, Islamic architecture, Romanesque architecture, gothic, architecture, renaissance architecture, baroque architecture, neo classicism architecture, Georgian architecture, gothic revival architecture, beaux-arts, art nouveau, modernism, international style, postmodernism, and deconstructivism. We were very eager to learn about all these architectural styles, but I was particularly more interested in learning more details about modernism, international style, post modernism, and deconstructivism. In essence, the first week lecture, which was an introductory lecture, was very helpful as it helped prepare our minds for what we were going to learn in the course. I am happy I did not miss any part of this first week lecture as it was a major determinant of how I would understand the content of the course. WEEK 2 Notes The lecture discussed various architectural styles of the ancient period Some of the architectural styles of the ancient period include Roman architecture, Egyptian architecture, and Greek architecture Ancient Greek were the first to develop the classical language of architecture and design based on mathematical proportioning systems Reflective Journal The second week’s lecture was also interesting, even though it was not as interesting as the first week’s lecture. The reason for this could be that the lecture simply involved an elaboration of some of the topics that had been introduced in the first week’s lecture. Nonetheless, we found the lecture to be very useful as it enabled us learn interesting history of some of the architectural styles. Among the various topics that we learnt in the second week’s lecture, the ones that I found most interesting are those about the ancient Rome and ancient Greek architecture. The lectures on these two topics enabled us learn that ancient Rome developed techniques used to conceal structure in form, and discovered concrete, which allowed greater flexibility of structures. They were also the first to build large open interior spaces. I was also interesting to learnt that ancient Greek were the first to develop the classical language of architecture and design based on mathematical proportioning systems which influenced later evolutions in the design of the built form. Other topics that were discussed in the second week’s lecture include ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. These two topics, though rich in information, were however not very interesting as the other two topics of the lecture: ancient Rome and ancient Greek. Overall, the lecture was very helpful in building our knowledge about the history of architectural styles. WEEK 3 Notes The lecture discussed various aspects regarding the architectural styles and designs of the middle ages Middle Ages include the period between 500AD and 1600AD Architectural styles of this period include byzantine style, Islamic style, Romanesque style, Gothic style, Renaissance style, and Baroque style. Reflective Journal Third week’s lecture was another interesting discussion that enabled us various things regarding the architectural styles and designs of the middle ages. It was interesting to learn about some of the architectural designs of the Middle Ages (between 500AD and 1600AD), which include byzantine style, Islamic style, Romanesque style, Gothic style, Renaissance style, and Baroque style. One of the most interesting facts I learnt during this lecture is that early Christians considered Roman temples as being too pagan for worship, but believed the Roman basilica was suitable for conversion to Christian churches. The reason for their choice was that architectural formulas for temples were not ideal for their pagan associations, and because pagan cult and sacrifices took place outside in sight of their gods, with the temple housing the cult. We were also happy to learn about the history of an architectural design that we had never known before, and this is the Byzantine architecture. We were able to learn that Byzantine architecture developed from the Roman, and fused with Middle Eastern influences. Other architectural styles that we learned about for the first time are Baroque and Gothic architectures. All in all, third week’s lecture was very enjoyable owing to the fact that most of the things we learned were new to us and interesting and thus interesting to know about. WEEK 4 Notes The lecture dealt with the architectural developments during the age of revolution Age of revolution: between the 18th and 19th centuries Common styles of this period include Baroque, Rococco, and Neo Palladian architectural styles Mass production of cheap steel became possible following the discovery of the Bessemer process Elevators commonly found in tall buildings were first used in 1868 Reflective Journal Lecture of the fourth week was concerned mainly with the architectural developments during the age of revolution, which is between the 18th and 19th centuries. Just like the third week’s lecture, the fourth week’s lecture was also interesting because we learned various architectural aspects that were new to us. For instance, it was very fascinating to learn about the Baroque, Rococco, and Neo Palladian architectural styles, which we have never known before. One of the interesting facts we learnt about architecture during the age of revolution is that the interest in antiquity was not a new phenomenon, but this time it differed in that the ruins of Greece and Rome were visited by many who measured, documented and published what they found. We also learnt that mass production of cheap steel became possible following the discovery of the Bessemer process, which was named after its inventor, the British metallurgist Sir Henry Bessemer. It was also interesting to learn that the elevators commonly found in tall buildings were first used in 1868. This was interesting information because we thought that elevators are part of the postmodern architecture. Generally, the fourth week’s lecture was very helpful as it gave us an insight on various developments in architecture. In fact, after completing this lecture, we felt that the revolution age (18th and 19th centuries) was a key turning point in the history of architecture and most of the architectural advancements took place during this period. WEEK 5 Notes Lecture mainly entailed a discussion of various architectural styles of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries Architectural styles discussed include prairie style, modernist style, hi tech, skyscraper, the international skyscraper the international style, the postmodernist architecture, and deconstructivist architecture Antonio Gaudi’s works that are commonly found in Spain presents a clear picture of how the architectural styles of the 20th century looked. Reflective Journal The fifth week lecture was the second most interesting lecture after the first week lecture. The lecture mainly entailed a discussion of various architectural styles of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Some of the architectural styles discussed include modernist architecture, the international style, the postmodernist architecture, and deconstructivist architecture. We were particularly amused by the works of Antonio Gaudi the renowned architect whose works exemplify the architectural styles of the 20th century. Antonio was influenced by the gothic revival movement, and developed the gothic architectural style into his own distinctive organic approach to architecture in the early twentieth century. His desire was to surpass the gothic style. Another interesting discussion we had in the lecture was on the modernistic architecture. We learnt that the style was introduced at the beginning of the twentieth century when architects decided that it was imperative to come up with an architectural style that expressed the spirit of new age and would surpass the technologies, materials, and designs of early architecture. It was also fascinating to learn about the international architectural style because we had never heard about such a terminology before. We learnt that the term originated from the 1932 exhibition at the museum of modern art, which was organized by an architect called Philip Johnson. Basically, the entire lecture was fascinating and I am privileged to have attended this lecture. Read More