Abstract Apart from possessing a functional and ornamental value, architecture also tells the story about the character and the culture of a society, thus reflecting the spirit of the people and the age. The paper shows that the architecture that is most representative of a society consists of ordinary and drab buildings. Although they cannot be considered esthetically pleasing to the eye, their value rests in their reflection of the reality of the ordinary people. The paper evaluates several buildings and cities such as Ancient Greek cities, the Great Mosque of Kairawan and the city of Chicago. It shows the important role architecture plays in every society, not only because it reflects the society of its time, but also because it has the power to influence the people.
From the Paper "As a part of the City Beautiful Movement started to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus? discovery of America, Chicago was transformed by Daniel Burnham who was appointed director of the project. The transformation included the creation of a lakefront park system, an inner harbor and a civic center. According to Burnham, the redevelopment of the city served an important purpose in creating uniformity and order against the chaotic development of a city affected by massive immigration of people with different cultures. Thus, to him, the orderly city would reinforce an American order over the diversity of cultures (Kostof 671). However, in this case, the City Beautiful Movement failed because it was more concerned with the aesthetic ideal than the lives of the people in the city. The City Beautiful Movement limited itself to changing public facilities, but did not seek to improve the housing needs of the poor. Therefore, it produced architecture that was divorced from the actual reality of the ordinary people it sought to represent."
Abstract The major concerns of jail and prison design and construction are the security issues. Two articles on the subject are summarized and discussed in terms of construction costs as well as design concepts "Accommodating the Unsavory Side of Society, Contemporary Jails and Prisons" (Tom Adams, 1998) deals with the problem of developing secure prisons, away from the general population and yet still keeping the costs low. "Deciding on a New Jail Design" (A.R. Beck, 1999) refers to the fact that staff safety and prisoner rights are issues that are pushed to the background when jails are designed.
From the Paper "Architect Tom Adams writes that challenges of both jail and prison design include the creation of a secure building, safe for staff and detainee or inmate, that is a place to work and rehabilitate rather than become worse off, and to do all of this within the tightest budget possible. Design needs are different for the jail and the prison. The jail is a starting point for those entering the Criminal Justice System and must therefore handle all levels of security. Prisons are the place where everyone is held at least one year. New inmates usually enter at a medium security risk; maximum security accommodations must be supplied for those who acted out in jail. The prison attempts to offer education, training, and work opportunities and counseling (p. 3)."
This paper argues that, although quasi-public privatized spaces, like Universal City Walk in Los Angeles, show ethnic diversity and do not result in social stratification, they do represent the destruction of democratic public space.
Abstract This paper explains that, although spaces like City Walk do not outright cause social stratification, they do result in segregation and unreal expectations of what public space truly represents. The paper states that a variety of security mechanisms has been put in place to prevent potential criminal activity. The author believes that, although spaces like City Walk may resemble true democratic public spaces, they actually are designed to attract consumers, thereby, automatically filtering out objectionable or disagreeable visitors.
From the Paper "City Walk was developed and constructed as a safe haven for consumers. The clientele that City Walk attracts is a young, affluent and classy sort with money to spend. Consumers do not feel threatened due to the prevalence of security patrols and surveillance cameras that are posted throughout the park. City Walk, however, excludes an important part of the true urban population, people such as the homeless and perhaps even gang members who would normally be visible in a democratic public space."
This paper discusses the design-build method of construction whereby a single company is in charge from the projects inception to its completion including planning, design and construction.
Abstract This paper, in addition to explaining the design-build method, presents an overview of the history of construction and some of the traditional methods used for bidding on construction projects. The design-build method is ideal for parking garages, hospitals, banks, shopping malls or any other repetitive structural buildings because these types of structures are not architecturally driven and rely on predictable components. The author believes that most developers do not understand or appreciate the full range of benefits that design-build offers them.
From the Paper "Since developers often choose design-build for accelerated project schedules, contractors need a way to ensure they will have enough skilled workers when they are needed and that they can attract them within the budget that has been established. Design-build project delivery greatly improves constructability and overall worker satisfaction. Many design-builders consult extensively with their subcontractors during the proposal stages and those firms have great sway on how their part of the project will be designed and built. Some union officials see problems with design-build project delivery because they think that this method simply adds one more layer of project management to the process and actually is slower than the design-bid-build delivery method. ?We are at the mercy of the construction manager much more often than before because of design-build,? says Rob Trenkle, director of the construction department of the Laborers International Union of North America. ?When a general contractor is in control of the whole job, there is less confusion and less steps you have to go through.? "
Abstract This paper examines two particular Gothic churches ? Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and the Church of S. Maria del Fiore in Florence. Each church is examined for the combination of specific historical forces and styles, the building materials and techniques available to those who constructed them. It also looks at emblems that were used as meaningful symbols and the ways in which Gothic churches connect people to the divine within the Catholic Church in a way that helped people to transcend their daily lives.
From the Paper "The church of Santa Maria Maggiore is no exception, for it is combination of specific historical forces and styles, the building materials and techniques available to those who constructed it and emblems that have been used as meaningful symbols of the ways in which churches connect people to the divine within the Catholic Church, as Kulterman (p. 12) argues."
Abstract Using the art of the Parthenon and the play "The Oresteia", written by the Ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, this paper determines a number of morals and ideals that the Ancient Greeks held in high esteem. In the first few paragraphs, the paper describes the various metopes in the Parthenon. It examines which gods and important Greek characters are depicted, what it is they are doing and how this represents a given Greek ideal. The paper then explores "The Oresteia" and uses important lines to either determine other Greek ideals or uses them to underscore the importance of an ideal already talked about in the segment on the Parthenon. Through comparing the Parthenon and "The Oresteia" the paper determines that the Greeks were a highly civilized people that believed highly in bravery, pride, civic duty, civility, order and justice.
From the Paper "Greeks were the most civilized peoples in the fifth century BCE as well as the best fighters. This was, of course, according to their standards. Their success as warriors and the importance of the Apollonian way of life is inscribed on the walls of the Parthenon and within the pages of The Oresteia. The Parthenon's gracefully sculpted friezes unite with "schylus" trilogy and both are founded on pride and bravery. There is an obvious mindset, almost a moral code among the Athenians. They believed moderation and civility were the keys to success and it was up to them to impose this onto other races. An Athenian who didn?t abide by this code was a pariah of sorts, to say the least, and was portrayed as such through the Parthenon and The Oresteia."
Abstract Art has always had a social aspect that is a representation of the inner functions of the culture from which art is created. Formal theories on the social nature of art, however, were not formed until the 16th century when the waxing and waning of artistic movements was seen to be affected by changing tastes in art patrons. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many different and diverse social theories emerged to draw connections between art and society - which created which? French socialist, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, said that 'art for art's sake' was an impossibility and that art sprung, regardless of the artist's inspiration or motivation from the archetypal (a more modern term) forces that governed the society, often invisibly. Art stands, in many ways, as a social criticism as well as an honoring of the society. Art is a commentary, on some level, about the artist's perception of the world. That perception is shaped by the undercurrents of political, religious and social life of the particular time. Identity, in particular, in art is marked by a defined or hidden connection to the audience with recognizable symbolic language. In the case of architecture, we have the ultimate visual special creation which creates its own distinct sense of identity. The Cathedral of Notre Dame stands as one of the most significant structures embodying both visual and spatial constructs to modify the viewer's and visitor's perception of the self.
Abstract As will be seen, while the two buildings were projects of Roman emperors designed to serve a spiritual purpose as well as to reflect the values of their respective communities, the buildings are radically different in design and function. It will be argued that these differences are due to both the different architectural periods in which these buildings were constructed, as well as the differences in the functions that they were intended to serve.
Abstract If meditation is interpreted as contemplation and the seeking of emotional quietude, the study of architecture should feature some attention to spaces that can be hoped to promote meditation, as meditation is sometimes part of the architect's own creative process. In the post-World War II era, the profession has been increasingly called upon to contribute to planning in buildings which comply with often highly conceptualized designs towards thematic transformations of whole areas.
Reviews this book by John Ruskin and Charles Jencks on the role of the artist in relation to the times he lived in, focusing Victorian England and the 20th Centur.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract John Ruskin and Charles Jencks represent different historical conceptions of art and architecture. Ruskin in the Victorian-age of England and Jencks is in the more erratic eclecticism of the 20th century. Each critic offers particular views on the role of the artist in relation to society, however Ruskin's can be understood as one that desires to control the artist and Jencks recognizes that art is invariably a free expression of the individual. The responsibility is thus different: Ruskin believes the artist is responsible to society, and Jencks believes that society has a responsibility to the artist, in that artists represent a challenge to public perspectives and this challenge is always reflective of social change.
Abstract The following essay will consider the Greek and Roman influences on the Palace of Fine Arts, the best known of Bernard Maybeck's (1862-1957) work. This structure was built for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, California from February 4 through December 4, 1915.
Abstract This research paper discusses Octavian also known as Caesar Augustus with respect to the New Testament and the impact on Rome of his priceless contributions.
Abstract This essay will explore the design of a typical Shinto shrine. We will approach the shrine like a visitor would, moving from general first impressions, then moving along the entrance to the shrine, and finally concluding at the religious center of the shrine.
