Abstract This paper discusses the idea of the envelope of architecture, a boundary between the public sphere and the private sphere, and how this is less and less a boundary and more a porous enclosure. This concept is discussed according to the views of Tschumi and Cheng, in the text edited by them.
From the Paper "An interesting aspect of the theoretical elements found in the text edited by Tschumi and Cheng (2003) is made explicit by Colomina (2003), who writes, "The line between public and private no longer coincides with the outer limit of a building" (p. 68). This comment is reflected in different ways in other essays in the text, and it also helps explain some of the direction of architecture today and also traces back to earlier times when clearly the separation between public and private was much more rigid. Colomina also states that architecture always followed medicine, which is why the envelope of architecture corresponds more to the human body than to functional programs. However, Colomina also says that it might be that "the envelope is longer to be found on the outside but has coiled itself up within an imaginary body" (p. 68)."
Abstract This essay explores the architectural spatial codes of Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. It focuses on who the square was designed to be used by and what the space is currently used for. The essay also discusses if the square's significance has changed over the years and if it now or ever really served the citizenry of Toronto.
From the Paper "Spatial and Architectural Codes of Nathan Phillips Square Nathan Phillips Square was envisioned and designed in conjunction with the Toronto City Hall buildings, and is located directly in front of and south of City Hall at the northwest corner of Bay and Queen Street ("Viljo Revell" n.p.). Opened in 1965, Nathan Phillips Square was named in honour of Nathan Phillips who served as mayor from 1955 to 1962 ("Toronto City Hall Tour" n.p.). The space consists of a large open area containing a reflecting pool that transforms to a skating rink in winter, a large ramp leading to the second level demonstration gardens of City Hall, Peace Garden, sculptures, and a speakers' corner podium.
Abstract The paper briefly reviews Surrogate Court in New York City as it stood in 1930 and then briefly examines how it stands today. It compares and contrasts any changes that have occurred. The paper suggests that the changes that have taken place to Surrogate Court since the 1930s are largely overshadowed by the continuities.
From the Paper "Surrogate Court in New York: Yesterday and Today Surrogate Court in New York City has seen both change and continuity since 1930. The following paper will briefly review Surrogate Court as it stood in 1930 and then briefly examine how it stands today. As will become clear, the changes that have taken place since the 1930s are largely overshadowed by the continuities. Specifically, the Courthouse continues to stand indomitably as a stirring testament to the "City Beautiful" movement which swept urban America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. With that in mind, it is to a brief review of what has changed - and what has not - in that tiny corner of the world that this paper now turns. To begin with, even by 1930, the august Surrogate Court was very much a relic of the past. To wit, it was built between 1899 and 1907 and replaced the old Hall of Records that once stood in City Hall Park."
Abstract The paper examines the correlation between postmodern literature and postmodern architecture by reviewing three notable postmodern literary works and how their features (principally a disavowal of traditional, historical myth) may be found in three post-modern architectural marvels of today. These two disciplines are at the forefront of a new age of meta-cognition, one that rebuilds the past by de-constructing it.
From the Paper "There is, perhaps predictably, a strong relationship between postmodern literature and postmodern architecture. One says "predictably" because architects and literary artists are both sculptors and creators and are thus subject to the same broad intellectual fetishes or contretemps. With this in mind, the following paper will examine the correlation between postmodern literature and postmodern architecture by reviewing three notable postmodern literary works and how their features (principally a disavowal of traditional, historical "myth") may be found in three post-modern architectural marvels of today."
Abstract The paper examines the feasibility of the revitalization of St. Clair Avenue. The paper explains the location and its surroundings. The expected results are to provides an opportunity to revitalize the area and linkages between the residents and St. Clair by transforming the area into a pedestrian pocket. The paper analyzes whether the chosen area has the elements required to be a successful neighbourhood, using the set measurements of Michael Southworth.
From the Paper "The revitalization of St. Clair Avenue north of the Green/Arts Barn Project along with the redevelopment of the transportation infrastructure along St. Clair Avenue provides an opportunity to revitalize the area and linkages between the residents and St. Clair by transforming the area into a "pedestrian pocket. (Southworth, 1997)" This project is of interest at this time because the area presently has the elements required to be a successful neighbourhood, as described by Michael Southworth in a research article that looks at the importance of the walkability of urban neighbourhoods."
Abstract The paper discusses Physiological Space in architecture, noting that this dimension both allows and encourages the viewer to orient him or herself with the work and to gain meaning from the experience. The physiological space is not simply a reflection of physical space but includes a psychological dimension that cannot be discounted. The paper explains that the way the viewer is oriented to the art involves not merely where he or she stands and how he or she relates physically to the work, but also the mental constructs involved, the psychological reactions and other internal processes.
Abstract This paper discusses the meaning of Robert Venturi's statement that architects now work to bring the interior and exterior closer together. Their goal is to make the exterior reflect the interior, with one way of achieving this melding being the use of flowing space. The paper notes that other means have also been taken to achieve this combination of interior and exterior in buildings.
From the Paper "What Robert Venturi writes in his book "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture" is on the one hand intuitive and fits with what many people realize as a matter of course; namely, that the exterior of a building does not necessarily reveal what is on the interior. Venturi notes the effort by architects to bring the interior and exterior closer together when he writes, Contrast between the inside and the outside can be a major manifestation of contradiction in architecture. However, one of the powerful twentieth century orthodoxies has been the necessity for continuity between them: the inside should be expressed on the outside. But this is not really new---only our means have been new. One way of achieving this melding has been the use of flowing space, which "produced an architecture of related horizontal and vertical planes." Other means have also been taken to achieve this combination of interior and exterior in buildings."
Abstract This paper analyzes one of the architectural structures of New York, the Seagram building. It discusses the structure of the building and gives a brief survey of the aspects of international style. The paper applies these concepts of international style to this observation of the Seagram building. The author describes it as a powerful postmodern reflection of this style.
From the Paper "Even on an overcast day, it is striking to note the bronze, almost sunny tints, reflecting off of the Seagram building. That is it so striking is testament to the thinking that went into its design. Indeed, the exterior of the building is supposed to be striking. It is supposed to be the presentation the building exposes to the world. When Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (Mies) designed this building, he was realizing a design that had been waiting to be built by him for years. Strictly speaking, the Seagram building is not part of the International Design genre to which it is most often associated. However, a survey of what International Design entails and a close examination of the Seagram building reveal that not only should it be associated with that genre, but it should also be hailed as a..."
Abstract This document addresses the organization and effectiveness of two separate art and architecture databases. The writer explains that the Camio and Bridgman databases are compared for organization, complexity, and comprehensiveness. The writer concludes that the Bridgman is found to be more extensive and organized periodically, whereas the Camio is less extensive and organized more thematically.
From the Paper "In assessing the effectiveness and relevance of these two databases, Camio and the Bridgman Art Library, relative to the Europa myth, it is best to begin with a description of the search topic itself. Europa is a figure from Greek Mythology from which the continent of Europe derives its name. According to predominant Greek legend Europa was the target (one of many) of Zeus' amorous intent. Zeus adopts the form of a bull and kidnaps Europa taking her to the island of Crete where, after revealing his true identity, Zeus makes her the first Queen of Crete. Another version, retold by Herodotus, has Europa being kidnapped by Minoans and thereafter being taken to Crete. Regardless of the variation the result is the same in that Europa was taken to Crete and that eventually Greece came to be referred to by this name and by association, the European continent."
Abstract This paper discusses Canada Place which is located on the waterfront of downtown Vancouver. It specifically discusses the history behind the construction of the building and the architectural design. The paper goes on to describe public opinion of the architecture of the structure, as well as the opinion of architectural critics.
From the Paper "Architecture in Vancouver In this essay I review Canada Place, a very unusual building situated at the bottom of Howe Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I consider this to be a post-modernist building. Canada Place is located on the waterfront of downtown Vancouver. It was built for "Expo 86" - the World Fair that was held in 1986 in Vancouver. The objective was an attempt to rival the impressive Sydney Opera House in Australia. The outcome was a somewhat strange looking building that elicits a wide variety of responses that run the gamut from admiration to disgust.The only thing it does not evoke is boredom. People have compared it to a tent, a camping trip, an insect and a sailing ship. "
Abstract This paper discusses interior design during and after the Gothic revival of the late eighteenth century, noting that True Gothic architecture originally developed from the Romanesque style, emerging in the twelfth century. According to the paper, this style dominated until the beginning of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Gothic architecture is noted for size and elaborate decoration. However, Gothic architecture is first defined in terms of a change in Romanesque church architecture when diagonal ribs were added to the groin-vault, as is first seen at the Abbey Church of St. Denis near Paris.
From the Paper "Gothic architecture developed in the twelfth century and was revived several times, notably with a major revival beginning in the eighteenth century and spreading throughout Europe and to America. Gothic interior design was included, though it changed over this time and was often more an evocation of the Gothic rather than an actual copy of the original style. From the mid-eighteenth century until the rise of Fascism in this century was a long era in Italian history during which certain trends cold be observed that linked the decades together. At the beginning of this era, Italy as a country did not exist. "
Abstract This paper discusses Robert Moses, the man understood to be a titan in the field of urban planning. This paper describes Moses, saying that his preeminence in his field is such that serious scholars can mention his name in the same sentence as not only Paris's Baron Haussmann, but also Louis XIV, Peter the Great, and Soviet dictator Stalin. Moses is said to have shaped the city of New York.
Abstract The following paper reviews the architecture of London and Paris during the period stretching from AD 1400 to 2000. The paper explores the similarities and differences between the two cities as it pertains to architecture; suffice it to say, while there are general similarities there are many more differences, and the paper explores how architectural divergences explain the differences in atmosphere and appearances between the two metropolises. At the same time the paper considers the differing architectural styles that distinguish the two world class cities.
Abstract This paper discusses neo-Modernist reaction to post-Modernism's nihilism and relativism in a return to an emphasis on materials and intended function. The paper includes examples and provides several theoretical comments in addition to addressing the significance of the examples provided.
From the Paper "The post-1985 Neo-modernist movement has sought to recover the sometimes stark, functionalism of Modernism but taking into account its critique. The results include architecture and other design that can be aesthetic and far less utilitarian in appearance than its 20th century predecessor of Modernism. Also, neo-Modernism offers a response to the more jarring or whimsical elements of what was considered post-modern design, in an effort to restore design for people, and not just an appreciative elite wishing to probe the limits of post-modern experimentation."
Abstract The paper reviews the modern concept of the power center. This paper defines the power center as "...those shopping centres that are designed or renovated specifically to attract big box tenants". This assignment examines a specific power center to explore their use of space and retail strategies. The power center this paper reviews is the Erin Mills Power Center located in the City of Mississauga. It is bordered by Highway 403 on the west so that the power center can be easily accessed by car by people from other cities.
