Abstract In this article, the writer notes that Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English language defines architecture as the profession, the art and science, of designing buildings, open areas, communities and other artificial constructions and environments. An architect is a person who engages in this profession. The writer points out that there are those who believe that being an architect is an easy job. This paper argues that architecture is not an easy profession even though many people feel it is. In support of this thesis this paper provides an examination of what is needed to become an architect, what being an architect entails, and what kind of skills are required. As an example, Norman Foster, a famous architect, is used.
From the Paper "Architecture is very distinct in the sense that it is an art as well as a science. An architect has to think about the aesthetics, how a building will look on it own as well as within the context of its environment and its function. Architecture is a science too. A building has to be able to stand and comply with the laws of physics and mechanics. New materials, new methods of construction as well as new needs are constantly changing and an architect must be familiar with them. Furthermore, we can say that architecture in a way serves two principal needs. It has a utilitarian function as well as an expressive one. Its utilitarian function is obvious. Architecture provides for one of the three basic human needs, without which we would not be able to survive: food, clothes and shelter. The expressive function can be seen through the many old buildings still standing today."
Abstract Discusses the life and body of work of 19th Century architect Richard Morris Hunt. His successful career; contribution to city architecture (especially New York City). Key works he designed and created. His aesthetic views. Background of 19th Century architecture & role of the architect. Impact of the Industrial Age. Appendix with illustrations of some of Hunt's major buildings.
From the Paper "Richard Morris Hunt (1827-1895) was born in Brattleboro, Vermont into a prominent family. He went to study in Geneva, Switzerland and later he enrolled at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris France. In fact, he was the first American to study at this prominent institution.
Hunt was the most respected architect of his time and was popularly known as ?the dean of American architecture.? He was awarded many professional honors and was one of the most highly acclaimed Americans of the nineteenth-century. In the forty years of his practice, he designed and created buildings remarkable for their wide variety of styles and types. The fact that many of his buildings are now seen as national treasures is a tribute to the man and his work. As..."
Abstract This paper briefly reviews the life and times of Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector. The paper describes her significant life achievements, the sexism she faced and the reason why society must remain vigilant against such attitudes today. Additionally, the paper contains thirteen sources, mostly internet-based, providing important information on this woman.
From the Paper "The matter of female architects in Ohio is an interesting one because, historically, women in Ohio - as elsewhere in America - faced great difficulty. Ms. Hayden - she later married James Rector and assumed the nomenclature Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector - was also an outspoken suffragist ("Women in Ohio History - Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector" 2005, paragraph 12). Fortunately, her papers can still be accessed in various University collections throughout America ("Guide to the Manuscript Collections - Hayden, Florence Kenyon" 2005, paragraph 36). Ms. Hayden's work did not begin and end with her design of the elegant Oxley Hall Women's Residence at the University of Ohio. She also designed the home of Ohio millionaire Ellis O. Jones ("Old Towne East - An Historic Neighborhood" 2005, paragraph 1)."
Abstract This paper is a review of the life and times of Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector. Among other things, the paper examines the circumstances of her life, the female architects who influenced her, the struggles she faced, the works she produced, and the legacy she left behind. This paper also explores the lack of collective memory that is plaguing women in the architectural field.
From the Paper "This paper is a review of Ohio female architects. In particular, this paper is a review of Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector, one of the state's first female architects and, arguably, one of its best architects ever. This paper will review the life and professional accomplishments of Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector and put her achievements in their proper perspective. As an additional note, this paper will also make brief mention of Alice E. Johnson and other early women architects who pushed the boundaries that society forced upon them. The reason for their inclusion in a paper about Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector is that it is quite likely that without women like Alice E. Johnson and others, Hayden Rector would never have reached the heights she scaled in her life. The paper will also examine the legacy of Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector as it relates to young women in Ohio and in America."
Abstract This paper explains that the painting "The Architect's Dream" by American artist, Thomas Cole, masters historical perspective by combining structures from several epochs--Egypt, Greece, Rome and Europe--within the confines of a simple painting, thus depicting the evolution of architecture. The author points out that Cole, who was the founder of the Hudson River School, a group of artists that followed the style of American romanticism and realism, filled the landscape of this painting, accurately and in detail, with human structures of each age. The paper concludes that this piece of art from the romantic times is not so much a history lesson as it is a story of human ingenuity and spirit, which praises man's triumphs throughout the ages by giving tribute to the beauty of history's great accomplishments that still inspire humankind today.
From the Paper ""The Architect's Dream" is a large painting, about 8 feet long by 6 feet tall. Just looking at the different buildings throughout the eons is very enthralling. And so, I stood in front of this painting for at least ten minutes just taking in the sheer power of it. I imagined what it would look like IF someone actually built a city like the one Thomas Cole painted. I could see the romanticism in the expression on the Architect's face as he lays relaxed and wondering about his strewn books. I put myself in his position and tried to imagine looking upon such a dream city, but in reality."
Abstract The paper discusses the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, the greatest and most influential architect in the history of American art and design who gave us some of the most beautiful and dazzling structures. The author explains how he is remembered mainly for his residential houses as he was the first architect to change the design of American houses to make them suitable for modern living although he gained fame international fame with his design of Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
From the Paper "American should be proud of those who have given it the reputation of being the country with most talented people. It should praise those who have added a new dimension to its art, literature and architecture. The reason being that a country is known by the people who belong to it and some of these people by the power of sheer genius can take their country to new heights of fame and pride. America boasts of numerous highly talented people in various fields, but it has only very few well-known personalities in the field of architecture and design. This is not because the country does not provide encouraging and conducive environment, but it is because of the nature of the work itself. Ceramics, Architecture and lighting may appear to be rigid fields, which allow introduction of new techniques, and style only rarely but it all depends on the magnitude of creative genius residing within the one who enters this area. Very few people in these fields art, design and ceramic work can bring dramatic changes to previous styles and design and introduce better techniques and give the country its own architectural identity. One such person was the American architect and artist, Frank Lloyd Wright."
Abstract What now seems repetitive was once radically innovative when architects, such as Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier, attempted to reshape the urban metropolis in order to reflect the aesthetic principles of an industrial, democratic age. This paper will examine the achievements of the three architects noted above. Their works will be examined with respect to both theory and practice. It will be argued that, while their legacy in the field of architecture remains controversial to this day, their contributions to the establishment of the International Style fundamentally altered the landscape of the modern city.
Abstract An analysis of Calatrava's works as an entirety, based on his major ideas, the nature of his works, his clients, culture, origin and development, thematic progression, the values represented, and legacy of the architect to modern architecture. Calatrava is one of Spain's most celebrated architects. The paper includes some pictures of his designs.
From the Paper "Calatrava's implemented his innovative and original ideas through his many works. The major concepts of Calatrava's design are found in his bridges and buildings. His importance in the community of European architects can hardly be overstated, yet he rarely designs a fully enclosed building; his works are generally open structures. Calatrava's dual capacity as an engineer and an architect allows him to capture the creative and structural aspects of both disciplines. His engineering skills enable him to apply his ideas to his architecture with greater ease. The sculptural surfaces and unusual spaces that are born of this marriage of disciplines give Calatrava an unmistakable and easily identifiable style. He dismisses the apathy involved in accepted architectural form."
Tags: europe, building, art, bridge, madrid, barcelona
Abstract This paper discusses how, out of all the Nazi leaders aligned with Adolph Hitler, Albert Speer stands out as one of the greatest mysteries. It attempts to discover how such a refined, well-educated man, from such a good background, ended up as second-in-command to one of the century's most abusive and tyrannical despots. Through a review of his autobiography, "Inside the Third Reich: Memoirs", it shows how, although he was born to a wealthy family, well-educated, son of a respected architect, and trained as an architect, Speer seems a tremendous misfit when compared to the army private who terrorized the entire Western world for more than decade.
From the Paper "Speer acknowledged that he quickly came to accept events that most people would have been appalled by. Early in Speer's new career, Hitler ordered Speer to remodel a building immediately. One official by the name of Papen asked for a few months? time, and Speer reported this back to Hitler. Hitler was enraged, so Speer began one of Papen's assistants had been executed in his office. Speer, supervising the renovations, saw the blood on the floor, but was strangely unmoved by the sight. This suggests to the reader that it wasn?t really much of a stretch for Speer to accept what many people would have found entirely unacceptable. Nevertheless, the irresistible draw the architectural opportunities had for him clearly were immense."
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."
Abstract This paper takes the reader on a journey through the Metropolitan Art Museum as spectators of a Santiago Calatrava exhibition. The paper presents Calatrava as one of the world's greatest architects, highlighting how his architectural works are translations of his actual art. The paper examines and discusses several of Calatrava's artistic and architectural pieces. The paper contends that it is his ability to blend mediums that makes Santiago Calatrava so successful, for he is not just an artist but nor is he just an engineer, he is the next generation of hybrid architects who can transcend their craft to become master artists.
From the Paper "When I went to the Metropolitan Art Museum to the see Santiago Calatrava, I did not know what to expect, he is after all one of the world's greatest architects. Some of his art includes the most prolific designs for bridges and train stations the world has ever seen. I have seen his work first hand in the form of the Birdlike expansion to the Milwaukee Art Museum that he designed years back. When I began researching him for our class, I realized that Santiago Calatrava's architectural works are translations of his actual art. This seems extremely interesting because I cannot imagine how one can translate one artwork across two such different mediums. Therefore when I went to the art exhibit at the MET I was both excited and filled with apprehension. The exhibit itself was handled extremely well, it was placed front and center as a showpiece at the MET. The lighting was extremely good which was important, as many of his pieces are architectural prints or renderings."
Abstract The paper is a brief discussion of Inigo Jones, a seventeenth century architect who rose to prominence in part by introducing Palladian conceits to the British Isles. The paper looks at his early life, his indebtedness to Andrea Palladio and his historical legacy. In particular, the paper notes his influence upon Christopher Wren. In the final analysis, Jones emerges as one of Great Britain's most important architects.
From the Paper "The following paper will examine the life, times and impact of Inigo Jones, an architect whose contributions to the modern era of the field have too often been overlooked. The following paper will examine Jones' status as the leading English architect of the seventeenth century. The paper will also examine Jones' indebtedness to Andrea Palladio - specifically his treatises on architecture - and to classical Roman architecture. As the following pages will make clear, Jones' work is typified by distinctive Italian embellishments and flourishes that would have been otherwise impossible had he not been so deeply influenced by the grandeur and splendor of ancient Roman architecture."
Abstract The paper discusses how Palladio was informed by the Western, classical tradition of thought which is demonstrated in his style as well as in his subject material. Sinan's biographer, however, relied on a more fluid and poetic Eastern tradition in both description and focus. The paper examines how, influenced by the burgeoning Italian Renaissance of the time, Palladio's treatise is a critical examination of classical architecture. "Memoirs of Sinan," however, represents a holistic examination of the architect's life. The paper reveals that due to the fact that Palladio's text is written in a very familiar style, researchers and students might well have the tendency to focus on it while ignoring the more complex and holistic text about an architect from Turkey.
From the Paper "To begin with, consider Andrea Palladio and his Four Books of Architecture. Palladio is one of the most famous Western architects. He constructed buildings of many types in Venice and other parts of Italy during his lifetime, 1508-1580. His Four Books on Architecture was printed in Venice in 1570 and describes a variety of aspects of classical architecture, as it was known at the time. Book I examines the preparations necessary for architectural construction as well as materials employed. Book II discusses ancient Greek and Roman private houses. Book III describes public works and civic architecture, while Books IV is specifically devoted to a discussion of ancient Roman temples and places of religious worship."
Tags: Italian, Renaissance, Turkey, construction, holistic, text
Abstract This paper discusses how architects and artists of every age have attempted to bring man back into communion with the spirit of nature and harmony with fellow human beings. It looks at how in reality, this ideal has been successful in only a few architects' works, though many have attempted or dreamed of its being put to practical use.
From the Paper "Mies Van der Rohe, born in 1886 in Germany, said he was "convinced that architecture is the most significant expression of a civilization." He went through the horrors of World War I, and, along with other artists and architects held onto the concept of a Utopian society, when they founded the Bauhouse in 1919 in Dresden. Mies wrote for avant garde journals, pushing the idea of a society without pain for all and designs dedicated to form and function, which would be beautiful in their usefulness. Along with other architects, he helped design a housing colony in Stuttgard and the German Pavilion for the Barcelona World's Fair. The pavilion was the model of the structure of Utopia, with reflecting pools, chrome-plated columns and clean lines. It made space feel as it were floating, with only a base and a roof supported by a few columns. "
Tags: Rudolph, Schindler, Mies, Van, der, Rohe, Philip, Johnson
Abstract This paper explains the Michael Graves' drawings and buildings are notable for their manipulation of archetypal form into highly abstract, figurative compositions. The paper then points out that Graves gave up the neutral glass curtain wall of late modernism and instead uses a colorful cloak of cladding by which he reintroduces the hierarchical composition of classical buildings more characteristic of postmodernism. The paper also reports that Michael Grave's Public Service Building in Portland, Oregon has at least four distinct historical styles embedded in its design: egyptian, italian, art deco and modern.
From the Paper "Levin agrees as well that postmodernism has derived from the ability of artists to produce works in a mass quantity, so to speak, because of new processes and products involving mass production: "By the time men were traveling to the moon, art was being assembled in factories from blueprints." While the postmodernist may see the modernist era as more scientifically oriented, it is clear that postmodernism is also influenced by scientific developments and possibilities. Levin says that modernism was highly optimistic, while postmodernism is more cynical."
