Thinking Architecture: From the Greeks to the Gothic

Thinking Architecture: Greece and Rome

This lecture reflected on the concept of how architecture can take on many forms and functions such as monuments, narratives, hierarchies, worship, languages, power, ornaments and complexity.

As a topic of interest, I found the idea of ancient architecture becoming a language compelling as architecture from the past tells a story and reveals how the other half lived; you can read the histories and cultures from that era e.g. Greek mythologies and histories.

I also found the idea of architecture having a hierarchy interesting as some buildings will be more influential and important than the other for example cathedrals, monuments and places of worship standing the test of time compared to regular structures.

'The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.' - Frank Lloyd Wright

VIDEO:

The Classical Period

In Rome, architecture was inspired by trade with Greece hence the unique design and construction e.g. Temple of Juno Sospita, Lanuvium (500BC). Much of the roman culture followed the phrase 'of bread and circuses' ('give the people what they want) hence the elaborate architectural styles for example the Roman Baths.

It was interesting to learn more about the five orders of the classical period: Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite and how these are reflected in the structures of the past. Romans were very effective in their engineering including bathing, underfloor heating and aqueducts.

Temple of Juno Sospita

From the Greeks to the Gothic

This lecture explored the historical timeline of architectural developments from the Greek period to the Gothic era. 'Greek architecture is an architecture of ideas'. Many developments were made due to several philosophers including Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Sororates and Heraclitus.

The Byzantine empire focused more upon the shift towards Eastern Christian Orthodoxy. Constantinople was a location of importance. Architecturally, the era looked at highly decorated interiors with biblical scenes.

The Gothic period was a particular era of interest when watching this lecture as the style is so unique and detailed that you can spot it when you go to certain locations across the UK for example York and Leeds in Yorkshire. The era is was so different to all of the others in the past that it stands out in terms of construction and details.

The York Minster, York (Yorkshire, UK)

A hand drawn sketch

References:

Quotations, S. Greek Architecture Quotes, Quotations & Sayings 2022. Search Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.searchquotes.com/search/Greek_Architecture/.

2020. A day in the life of an ancient Greek architect - Mark Robinson. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZcS2Flabw>.