Reading Response 7

BLOG POST #7

"What we seek, at the deepest level, is inwardly to resemble, rather than physically to possess, the objects and places that touch us through their beauty."

~ Alain de Botton (The Architecture of Happiness)

Happy places and spaces are what help us connect our emotions to  architecture itself. If you follow the rules it allows you to make connections and to create emotions that resonate happiness while being in a specific place or space. 

HAPPY PLACE

"architecture asks us to imagine that happiness might often have an unostentatious, unheroic character to it, that it might be found in a run of old floorboards or in a wash of morning light over a plaster wall - in undramatic, frangible scenes of beauty that move us because we are aware of the darker backdrop against which they are set" 

~ Alain de Botton (The Architecture of Happiness)

 

I chose the fountain behind the EUC for my happy place. The atmosphere is so calming and the scenery is so picturesque. I love this place because of not only the aesthetically pleasing set up of the fountain and the tables and chairs but also because of the sound of the water in the fountain splashing. I love it because of the cold stone or the soft grass that awaken the sense of touch when you are barefoot. Another reason I love this place is because it is right off of the meditation room and the two places sort of play off of each other in the sense that they are both so inviting and beautiful in their arrangements.

HAPPY  SPACE

"The architects who benefit us most maybe those generous enough to lay aside their claims to genius in order to devote themselves to assembling graceful but predominantly unoriginal boxes. Architecture should have the confidence and the kindness to be a little boring."  

~Alain de Botton (The Architecture of Happiness)

I chose the pond near the music building as my happy space because it is so beautiful. The space has this essence about it that is so inviting and so calm and serene. One thing I like about the space is that it is not some new original and creative space. There are ponds all over the world but yet it still has this originality to it. It makes you feel as if it is the only place in the world while you are in the space. The elements such as the rocks or the trees or even the inviting benches help make the space feel happy.

A SPECIAL HAPPY SPACE

"what we call a home is merely any place that succeeds in making more consistently available to us the important truths which the wider world ignores, or which our distracted and irresolute selves have trouble holding onto." ~Alain de Botton (The Architecture of Happiness) 

I decided to include this picture of my dorm room because I feel that is is a very happy space. The colors and the decor create a very welcoming and happy atmosphere. This is one of my happy spaces because I feel the most comfortable in my room. It is my home away from home and it is the room I spend a large amount of my time in. It is a place where I am completely comfortable.

Reading Response 6

BLOG POST #6

Salisbury and Amiens are alike in the sense that they are both cathedrals but they are different in the sense of when and how they were built. They both have two completely different histories.  

       *The Salisbury cathedral was built before the town.

*Amiens cathedral was built after its town.

*The Salisbury cathedral was closer and very much so a center-point of the town

*The Amiens cathedral was not as much of a central focal point because the town was built     before it was and the town wasn’t built around the cathedral.

*Cathedrals tend to be built to have immense height and reach towards the cosmos. They tend to have similar crucifix patterns and tend to have similar structural details.

*It is fitting that a cathedral is built with such intense height because it is almost as if they are trying to get them as close to heaven as possible.

*Cathedrals, such as Amiens and Salisbury are built for people to gather and celebrate their religions and to come together and worship.

*There are many symbolic connections that can be found throughout the cathedrals such as:

1) light shines through the windows throughout the structure to let natural light in and shines especially bright near where the priest stands. The preist is the highest and most significant (in holiness) in the cathedral

2) there are many instances where the number three is involve such as in patterns of architectural details . A connection can be made between that and the holy trinity.

3)The shape of the structures tend to resemble the crucifix which can be viewed as a symbolic connection to the Holy one himself. It is very symbolic of the crucifixion

Both of these cathedrals were built meticulously and they were both built very intentionally. They are very strong buildings and they are even stronger in the ways they connect religion and architecture..

                                                                                                        

Unit Summary 1 (weeks 1-4)

Throughout the first week we learned about objects, spaces, buildings, and places.  We learned about interpreting architecture in the past.  One of the main items mentioned was Stonehenge. A question that we discussed, why were circles chosen in this structure?  Circles have multiple meanings and in this case symbolize equality: each stone is important. Without one stone it is no longer a complete circle. The center of the circle has significance because everything is centered around that one spot.  Another subject that was touched upon was how humans make connections to the cosmos. They make connections between architecture and what is found in the nature surrounding them. The stones of Stonehenge align with the sunrise on the summer solstice. Is this a coincidence? I think not. It is a prime example of how humans connect architecture to nature.

The next week we moved into discussing circles, stacks, and groups. There are connections we can make to each of these. Circles relate to the sun or the moon. They also symbolize sacred spots or connections. Groups resemble groves of trees, or groups of people or objects. Stacks are related to mountains or gathering resources. Throughout the ages architecture has always been compiled of these different categories. For example: If you look at temples or palaces, you will notice that they are made up of groves and stacks. Architecture can also be made to emulate what we know best, the human body. It was discussed that columns resemble humans because of their height and their structure. There are many examples of architecture that encompasses all three but one in particular would be the Treasury of Atreus in Greece.

During week number three we discussed the buildings on top the Athens acropolis .The acropolis is defined as quiet area. Due to the large amount of warfare, most cities were sectioned into an acropolis and a lower town. This acropolis consisted of the Parthenon, the Erechtheum, and the Propylaea.  The acropolis was designed with a certain layout. Naos is the sanctuary and tells the story of Athena. It is within the Parthenon. The Propylaea consists of ionic columns and its design is used in Greek architecture.  The Parthenon’s columns were set up to make everything seem more proportionate. The Propylaea’s columns were designed to direct you around the structure. The Erechthium's columns were created in the image of women. Symbolically their breasts were applied to show us the way.

The fourth and final week we discussed how empires stand tall throughout the world. When you think about architecture you think about its structure and its function. In Roman architecture there are three building types. The Utilitas, Firmitas, and the Venustas meanings are useful arrangement, performance, and delight.  Another topic we discussed was how roads were typically designed in grids and how the world is seemingly structured around water.  The roads came first and the water came second.

Throughout the first four weeks we talked about relating architecture to the past and putting history into practice. We related architecture to nature and discussed examples of the reasoning behind certain architectural decisions. We looked at the global history of architecture.

READING RESPONSE #5 (Evolution of early churches, fire temples, and architecture/music

BLOG POST #5

POMPIDOU

(located in Paris)

The colors of your bright bold exterior dance across the eyes of an outsider.
The colors , yes are contrasting  but  create such unity.
The creative  composition of the tubes and pipes create a bold rhythm,
a rhythm that draws you in.
Within your walls you hold something so precious,modern art that is marvelous.
The many angles and the numerous curves create layers of visual interest,
comes across as playful and oh so inviting.
Your form resonates such artistic abundance and you, my fried, are more than a building.
You are like music winding across the page. You are architecture that encompasses so much meaning.
You are what architecture is all about; Creative vision.

READING RESPONSE 4: ROMAN THEATER

The Roman Theater Page

firmness, delight, and commodity BLOG POST #4

FIRMNESS

 The music building stands three stories tall  and contains roughly 130,000 square feet. It is very strong in it's stance and its unique circular structure houses an organ chamber that amplifies a listener's experience by being surrounded by the music of which the building is all about. It houses

room upon room of rehearsal areas where people can practice their music to the best of their ability. The building is made of stone signifies its strength and firmness. The circles that are found throughout the music building through the usage of columns, tiles, and great architecture help signify the unity that music amplifies across the UNCG campus.  

DELIGHT

Music in general has a calm, peaceful, and almost poetic essence. The way that the building is set up helps the flow of the building mimic and resemble that of music notes flowing off of a page. The building stands tall and is very unique in its shape and composure just like music. The building

brings delight to all who enter because it is a place where one can express themselves in many different ways.

 

COMMODITY

This building is used in so many ways on the UNCG campus. It allows for a soothing environment for students to express themselves throughout the medium of music. It houses a place where creativity is welcome and where students can feel free to practice music at pretty much any given time. It allows room for not only learning but for self exploration. It is a place where musicis the universal language; a place where music is all that is needed.

Axis

Throughout the campus there is an axis that runs directly through the center.  A long bridge is a continuation of the axis in which it ends at the music building on this side of the campus. Directly opposite lies the Curry building which is education and on the opposing directions lay the library and the Stone building. I feel that the placement of this building is very important because without the subjects of which these buildings contain education itself could not exist. The music building stands tall in its significance that music is an integral part of our everyday lives.

BLOG POST #3

Space
The space that is in the picture is the circular area towards the front of the Elliot University Center. This is one of the busier places on campus and one of the most popular. Many activities and many diverse people travel through this space at all hours of the day. It allows for easy conversations and a meeting place as well.

Power

The building is a very strong building. It is made of stone and is very tall. The architectural detail in the building is very aesthetically pleasing. There are very high ceilings and spiral staircases. The structure is very powerful. It is not only powerful architecturally but it is also powerful with what goes on inside of it. There are so many meetings and people that pass through it everyday. It is full of culture and life.
Experience
The Elliot University Center has so many things that take place inside its walls. It has many places set aside for gathering to converse and it has many places to sit and enjoy food and fellowship. The EUC houses so many experiences and conversations and is a place to experience many different things.

Principles

So many people walk in and out of the EUC and it houses so many gatherings that are full of life and conversation. The fact that this one building houses so many different memories helps remind the student body that we can be different and unique and have fun with this important stepping stone in life. This place is a place where we can come together as a college campus and be unified.
Precedent
The height and power of this building shows strength and sturdiness.This building houses a lot of circles including the area when you first walk in, the staircases, and the circular sun patterns on the floor. The circles symbolize a place of gathering and a place of unity. It is a place where everyone gets together and can talk, work , or just have fun.

Site

The location of this building is one of the things that makes this building so great. It is near the center of campus which makes it very accessible to anyone and everyone. Its location makes it very simple to stop and grab a bite to eat or to pick up something from the bookstore or even just to relax and grab a cup of coffee.
Order
This building has many windows that let natural light inside and cast shadows of its well put together structure.
The order is very specific. The way things are placed inside make it easy to move around and it houses many places to sit and relax. The wood that makes up the entrance circle has patterns of different colors of wood that help highlight the intricate architectural details.

Scale

This building is very strong and tall in stature. It helps show the buildings importance and helps it stand out from the other buildings on campus.
Technology
Technology was used in the building process of the EUC. There are many mathematical details that had be immensely and thoroughly looked over. Technology was not only used to build the building but also runs throughout it.

Surface

The surface on the outside of the building is made of stone. The inside is made from tiles, wood, and stone. These materials are very strong and help exemplify the buildings structural strength.