Abstract This paper discusses the notion that architects and artists working in medieval Europe borrowed ideas from all the cultures surrounding the Mediterranean or coming across the central European mountain ranges. The paper presents examples of this cross-culturalism, with a focus on Islam being the most influential of the cultural donors to medieval art and architecture. The paper contends that, although these examples do not definitively trace any single aspect of Islam into Western ecclesiastical art, they do serve as an indication that it is impossible to consider any medieval art, no matter how isolated we think Europe of the Middle Ages must have been, without considering the very substantial trade, not to mention wars and incursions, that made the traditions of one culture available to the others.
From the Paper "In addition, the precursors of Islamic art and architecture?elements that continued to inform their vision throughout their expansion into Spain and later, via their export to "corporate" Europe by returning Crusaders?cannot be surgically removed from any consideration of so-called Islamic influences on medieval European art and architecture. Rather, they must be viewed as a substrate that upheld the Islamic vision by virtue of continuous adherence in the society in which Islam was born, and therefore as an unbroken line into the monastic traditions of medieval Europe. It was, moreover, the monastic tradition that formed the bedrock on which all other medieval art and architecture achievements were based; the monasteries were the repositories, after all, of the learning that would otherwise have been lost."
Abstract This paper briefly explains how the old water system worked in the Roman Empire. It looks at the different water sources and rivers, which were prominent at the time, and the architectural uses of aqueducts.
From the Paper "The aqueducts that Rome used for its water supply came from sources above or around the Tiber River or the Anio Valley. The first aqueduct was built in 312 B.C.E. and named in honor of its originator, Appius Claudius. It marked a major milestone because the previous water supply only came from wells, cisterns, springs, or the Tiber River itself. As the city became more populated, the demand for water grew, and thus more aqueducts were created."
Abstract This paper explains that, in the Shah Faisal Mosque (or Masjid), one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, the Qiblah wall is very beautifully decorated with glazed tiles. The dome of the mosque has a huge golden crescent on it, the grand chandelier is spellbinding, and beautiful reflection pools add to the beauty of the mosque. The author reports that he was surprised to see that there are not any seats in the mosque, which is very distinct from a church. All Muslims sit on the floor, using a prayer mat, and are treated as equals in the mosque and in prayer. The paper reports that no one talked during the prayers because, during prayers, they are supposed to be facing God and praying to Him; no one made any prayer movements before the Imam finished his.
From the Paper "There is a wall inside the mosque called the Qiblah. This is where the wall faces the city of Makkah. All mosques have the Qiblah. It lets people know that they are standing in the right direction to pray to God. I also found out that the minaret is a symbol of olden times. They were made so that people could hear the call of prayers called the azaan. There is a crescent moon on the dome, which indicates the direction of Makkah."
This paper presents the history of the Railroad Station of Belmar, New Jersey, situated on the New Jersey Peninsula, as a potential site for preservation.
2,105 words (approx. 8.4 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 66.95
Abstract This paper explains that the value of historic structures in this area is lucrative in terms of investment of any type and secure in terms of return-investment through return business in the form of tourists. The author stresses that the borough of Belmar and the surrounding and outlying areas are rich in the areas of science, military, government, social history, and architectural history. The paper concludes that, due to the small area of land that composes the borough of Belmar, the age of the building that constitutes the Belmar Railway Station, the location of the station, the going price of real estate in the area of Belmar on the Jersey Coast, and the immeasurable historical value of the station, any expenditures toward the preservation of the architectural structure of the nearly 100-year old station is a sound investment and should be strongly considered as a place of designation for historic structure grants. Many illustrations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Objective
A Town of Many Names
The History of Belmar
Belmar: The Beginning
Significance of Historical Value of Train Station in Belmar
Belmar: Unique in many Areas of Development
The Train Station in Belmar
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The Jersey Shoreline is home of the boardwalk with something for everyone from fishing to swimming as well as being inclusive of Victorian walking tours and many other delights as sandcastle contests, waterfront promenades, chowder festivals, band concerts, and countless other tourist delights. There are paddleboat cruises along the Jersey shoreline and Belmar is the host of the annual New Jersey Seafood Festival that takes place each summer, which draws a crowd of tourists in the form of both families as well as college-aged individuals. Belmar's beaches are wide and Belmer is one of the main charter-fishing industries in the area being located on Shark River."
Abstract This paper examines whether the French architect, Le Corbusier, was modernist or post-modernist in his style. The writer explains and analyzes the definition of these styles and concludes that Le Corbusier's style of architecture in essentially modern in that it adheres to the foundational concepts of modernism. It explains that his emphasis on functionality is particularly modernist in that it subverts and reshapes the past, but still adheres to the principles of form, functionality, and order.
From the Paper "Basically, the design of the ground floor is quite similar to the Villa Savoye. This can be seen in that the design uses massive pilotis to make the whole building distanced from the ground as well as creating a free place for other uses such as a car park. The free area underneath the house was used for circulation and parking, as well as the entrance, elevators, and janitor's closet. (Alexander Tzonis, 2001) Also, no historical precedents and ornaments were used. The building was constructed mainly out of reinforced concrete, ...the Unite revealed its cellular structure through the use of concrete sun-baffle balconies and canopies projecting from the main body of the building. (Kenneth Frampton, 1992) large windows were installed in every apartment, giving a full view of the landscape. "Unspoiled views of the unfolding grounds, light breezes blowing freely over the soil without being blocked and sustained ecological conditions were also required." (Alexander Tzonis, 2001)"
Abstract This paper discusses Barcelona's famous architect, Antonio Gaudi. The intrinsic relationship between the city and the architect is explored in the paper. The paper presents a brief biography of Gaudi and examines the general characteristics, influences, and styles of his work and creations. The paper describes three of Gaudi's many projects in Barcelona: the Sacred Family (La Sacrada Familia), La Pedrera (Casa Mila), and the Guell Park.
From the Paper "As some who has visited Barcelona, one would perhaps always remember the historical area around Los Ramblas, the old Gothic Cathedral or the Olympic Stadium, as well as the special charm of the city, proud in its Catalan spirit, but there is little chance that something is likely to impress you more than the presence of Antoni Gaudi in the city, his modernist creations, his dedication to the city and, even more so, the intrinsic relationship between the city and the architect. Indeed, Gaudi has only worked and created in Barcelona and the city represented to Gaudi something that Aix-en Provence was for another artistic genius, Cezanne : place of inspiration and artistic evolution, but probably also the only place where the interior effervescence could be properly exploited."
An exploration of the composition, content, reception and influence of Vitruvius's "Ten Books on Architecture," from antiquity to today, with special attention on the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Abstract This paper examines the first and most influential treatise on architecture, Vitruvius's "Ten Books on Architecture." First the content is considered, including Vitruvius's account of architecture as the mother of all arts followed by his outline of the ideal education for architects and his theory of architecture. It also discusses the transmission and reception of Vitruvius in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Particular attention is paid to Alberti and his reaction to Vitruvius in his own "Ten Books" on architecture. Finally, the historical significance of Vitruvius's treatise is examined-both from the point of view of today and of when the treatise was composed.
From the Paper "In the first chapter of Book II, Vitruvius gives his account of architecture, or rather, the story of civilization as the history of architecture. His synopsis is certainly simplistic, and at times humourously so, but on the whole it accords with common sense. To his mind, architecture, born of necessity, is mother to all the arts, and though he is not as explicit on this issue as later writers would be, he clearly holds the field in the highest regard. He sets out his ambitious "Education of the Architect" in the first chapter of the treatise, and explains the necessity of each branch of study-drawing, geometry, history, philosophy, music, medicine, law, astronomy. The application to any of these fields to architecture is obvious enough, but Vitruvius defends the others. History, for example, is useful in understanding the origin of particular styles. He uses the famous example of caryatides and the Persian porch."
Abstract This paper explains that office design, which evolved post WWII and was influenced by the Burolandschaft movement in Germany, has changed drastically with the advent of personal computer systems, creating the need for more desk space lighting to reduce the glare on computer screens. The author points out that office design theory recommends color schemes combining blues and creams, which gives the office a calming, airy affect and creates an environment that is appealing to customers and is comfortable and calming to employees. The paper reports the results of an employee survey revealed that the employees were dissatisfied with their work environment and wanted the office to be renovated because the appearance of the office was unprofessional, the office furniture was uncomfortable, the color scheme not satisfying and the kitchen area was unacceptable. Tables, graphs. Questionnaire included.
Table of Contents
Review of Project Purpose
Major Findings
Recommendation for Implementation
Introduction
Problem Identification
Literature Review
Historical Changes in Office Design
The Importance of Ergonomics in Office Design
The impact of lighting
Impression Management
The Impact of Office Design on Productivity
Color Schemes and Gender
Gender and the Meaning of Color in Interior Environments
Livability Factor
Organization Factors
Symptomatic Factors
Data Collection/Analysis
Survey on Vartest Office Appearance
From the Paper "As a result of the information provided by the literature review, we can make several recommendations concerning the renovation of the Vartest Laboratory Office. First, management must recognize that the way that the office looks leaves an impression on customers and employees. If the office looks unprofessional, it will not attract the ideal customers. In addition, an office that is poorly designed will cause employees to question whether they are valued by the company. In addition, the company must make a concerted effort to understand that the workplace is a social environment and people's behavior will coincide with the design of that environment."
Abstract This paper asserts that the ancient Egyptian sage Imhotep has two unique claims to fame: 1) he provides historians with the best documented instance of the deification of a man, and 2) he is the first known individual of genius. In a truly ironic fashion, the mortal man who designed the Great Step Pyramid as a tomb for the godlike Pharaoh Djoser was transformed into a god almost 2,000 years later and became the Egyptian god of healing. This paper provides an overview of the sage and vizier, Imhotep, the Great Step-Pyramid and its reflection of the belief systems in place at the time. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion. The paper includes a photograph of the pyramid.
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Imhotep
Step Pyramid of Djoser and Its Reflection of the Belief System
Personal Reasons for Selecting This Topic
Conclusion
From the Paper "In sum, it is certainly not an exaggeration to describe the Step Pyramid as a one of the most remarkable architectural works produced by the ancient Egyptians. "That later generations regarded it with exceptional esteem is dear, not only from the veneration which they accorded to Imhotep, but also from hieratic graffiti on the passage walls of the southern building, which record the admiration felt by some Egyptians who visited the monument more than a thousand years after it was built" (Edwards 1955:63). In fact, no other known pyramid has been found with the same quantity of imposing buildings designed specifically to supply the needs of the king in his after-life. In their stead, the kings who ruled two dynasties later were satisfied with pictorial representations simply carved in relief."
Abstract This paper details the life of Inigo Jones, talks about where he derived many of his architectural themes and style, discusses the influence he would have on future architects and architecture and explains how many of his structures would become key architectural landmarks in England.
Introduction
Roman Architecture
Inigo Jones
Architecture
Conclusion
From the Paper "Inigo Jones was born on July 15, 1573, in the Parish of St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield. Much about his life remains unknown, including the derivation of his name, details about his mother, and most of his early training. A tradition exists that he was apprenticed to a joiner in St. Paul's Churchyard, but this is only a tradition, with no evidence to support it. The anonymous author of the account in one book holds that Inigo was "early distinguished by his inclination to drawing, and was particularly taken notice of for his skill in the practice of landscape-painting," though most give no credit to this account. Little is known about whatever job he was pursuing until he gave it up to travel to Italy."
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the economic and political influences that made possible the implementation of conservation of historic buildings in contemporary society. This paper posits that rapid urbanization and need for economic gain and concern for environmentalism are the economic and political factors, respectively, that helped promote heritage conservation become implemented among historic buildings.
From the Paper "The prevalence of the practice of heritage conservation has been instigated with cultural concerns that arise from a developed human society, along with its gradual movement toward becoming a more technologically-advanced civilization. Primarily, heritage conservation, specifically of historical sites and buildings, was introduced as part of organizations' attempts to preserve humanity's cultural heritage. That is, the argument put forth in introducing heritage conservation is culture-based."
Abstract This paper explains that Franks Gehry is probably the foremost proponent of the dean of American architecture Philip Johnson's "Deconstructivist Architecture". The author points out that Gehry links his work in interesting ways with the environment and with the culture of the structure's surroundings. The paper reviews the critics of several of his works: The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; the Malibu studio and residence of artist Ron Davis; the expansion of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Disney Music Hall in Los Angeles.
From the Paper "Germano Celant refers to the architecture of Frank Gehry as "idealized cities - essences of urbanity which, refracted and re-presented through Gehry's aerial vision, throws open new ways of understanding the spatial and temporal dimensions of architecture." Celant also emphasizes ways in which the buildings of Gehry seem to expand out of themselves. He is referring specifically to buildings Gehry had designed for Los Angeles when he says that they "seem to split open and break apart, to burst out of closed containers and shoot off in all linguistic directions, as if seduced by the urban eroticism of Los Angeles." Celant says that many of these structures consist of a collection of structures making up a "house-city" marked by transparency through which one can observe details by peering through "apertures or lattices, panels or filters, through chain link or glass."'
Abstract This paper presents an overview of Le Corbusier's contribution to modern architecture, as well as his role in the larger Modernist movement in contemporary art. The paper contends that the influences that affected Le Corbusier's style and vision in architecture were related to events in history as well as contemporary art and philosophy. In other words, Le Corbusier's architectural vision was part of the artistic movements and milieu of his era and this forms part of the understanding of his influence on architecture.
From the Paper "Le Corbusier was attracted to the visual arts from an early age. The earliest houses that he designed were similar in design to the vernacular architectural styles popular in the Alps. Later he expanded his artistic horizons and traveled to Europe where he was employed in the offices of the pioneer of reinforced concrete, Auguste Perret. Between October 1910 and March 1911 he worked for the renowned architect Peter Behrens near Berlin. All of these influences were to have an impact on the development of his style and architectural philosophy."
Abstract This paper identifies and examines the three main basilicas in the Forum Romanum: Aemilia, Julia and Sempronia. The paper presents them as massive structures, generally rectangular in shape with two or more semi-circular apses or recesses. The paper explains how these basilicas were highly illuminated through the use of clerestory windows, usually greatly elevated and above the roof itself. The paper contends that in these beautiful structures, one can easily sense the Roman desire for broad, uninterrupted architectural spaces enclosed for the convenience of human transaction. The paper also explains the importance of the basilicas to the citizens of Rome, as they provided a place to meet, to converse and to witness the majesty of imperial Rome on a daily basis.
From the Paper "During the Republican period in ancient Rome, most buildings were constructed as the need arose and were designed to serve public utility or the religious and commemorative needs of the State. And within the vast complex known as the city of Rome, the Forum Romanum served as the center of political life; it was also a place where the Roman Senate met at regular intervals and where the citizens of Rome could behold public spectacles, banquets and gladiatorial contests (Dudley, p. 48).
Thus, the Forum Romanum was, in many respects, the heart of things in ancient Rome, the administrative and social center of the city whose magnificent buildings were constructed over the site of the earliest settlements (Arnott, p. 17). In essence, the Forum Romanum was the galactic hub of Rome and allowed all of the citizens to participate in the daily activities of the city and to socialize with friends, family and, at times, enemies."
Abstract This paper examines how modernist architecture became popular during the mid-twentieth century and how it was thought that its gleaming glass, steel and concrete buildings could help spread the faith that technology and planning could replace the slums with hygienic housing projects and create affluence for all. In contrast, it looks at how the New Urbanist movement is a tangible response to the failed modernist planning that has resulted in unchecked suburban sprawl, dependence on the automobile, and the abandonment and decay of cities.
From the Paper "Although the New Urbanists claim that traditional towns and urban neighbourhoods are more conducive to developing community and provide more life choices than contemporary suburban living, their critics counter that the New Urbanist designs are artificial, elitist, and open the door to increased intervention by government. Regardless of which view one takes, the interdisciplinary nature of the New Urbanist project coupled with the fact that the movement raises important issues concerning the theological and ethical dimensions of market activity and human anthropology, makes Markets & Morality an ideal forum in which to explore further the possible promises and potential perils of the New Urbanism."
