Chapter 4: Architecture

-This is the most useful art and prerequisite for others arts. It is the art and method of erecting
structures. It is a bsody or corpus of work; it is a way to build.

-According to a Roman architect- Vitruvius (1st Century A.D) and was translated from Latin to
English in the 17th Century by Sir Henry Wotton, architecture was a building that incorporated
utilitas, firmitas, and venutas.

- architectures embraces functional, technological, and aesthetic requirements because it must have
commodotie ( utilitarian qualities), firmness ( structural ability and sound construction), and
delignte ( attractive appearance).

Historical Background of Architecture

Architecture highly speaks of a country and its people and signifies their lifestyle, character, culture
and traditions, their motives and beliefs like in any other forms of art.

Architecture is more readily grasped by studying its development in successive historical periods,
noting the general characteristic of each, the development of building techniques from one era to the
next as well as from one culture to the next, and noting the evolution of each successive architectural
style.

Egyptian Architecture (3000-1000 BC)

Egyptian architecture was dependent on religion. They say that “Ka” or “vital forces” lives in every
human being, but once the body is destroyed, the “ vital forces” are also destroyed. To preserve the
“vital forces” in the body, they built pyramids together with temples.

Egyptian Architecture Style is described as a mammoth rectangular plan of limestone with stopping
pylons with gorge molding. It has bud and flower capitals for post-and-lintel construction and
monumental obelisks and sphinxes fronting pylons. It is relief sculpture on walls and columns.

Examples:

 Pyramid of Giza
 Great pyramids of King Cheops
 Pharaohs of Alexandria-400 ft. high lighthouse that guided the sailors

Mesopotamian Architecture

The most distinguishing characteristics of the Mesopotamia, Babylonians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians
is the ziggurat. This tower is built at successive levels with one hump leading from one platform to the
next.

Examples:

 Hanging Gardens of Babylon- was built in loving memory of the wife of King
Nebuchadnezzar.
 The condominiums built in modern times that have hanging gardens on its level and its rooftop.

Greek Architecture (600-100 BC)

The architecture style of the Greek was greatly influenced by their invaders, the Dorian, Ionian, and
Aeolian tribesmen from the North.

Greek Architecture Style. This is relatively small rectangular plan of marble with entablature of
pediment, cornice, frieze and architrave. It has Doric, Ionic, Corinthian capitals on fluted columns for
post and lintel with color and gilding on statuary details. This is mathematical approach to symmetry
as well as refinements of proportions to create illusions, e.g. entasis.
Examples:

 Parthenon Temple-was built in honor of Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens,
2500 years ago.
 Artemis Temple- it was built in honor of Artemis, the goddess of wild animals.

Roman Architecture

Roman architecture was based on Greek Architecture with notable changes. Structure like civic
buildings, baths, law courts, amphitheaters, aqueduct, and bridges are as visible as the temples.

Roman Architecture Style. This is described as rectangular and circular plans of pozzuolana and
stucco. It applies the engineering principles of arch dome on drum, barrel molting and groin
vaulting, as well as fluted, free-standing and engaged columns, and pilasters with Greek orders.

It covers ceilings over large spaces with triangular, circular, and broken sedimentation. It has also
decorative medallions and keystones.

Examples:

 Segovia Aqueduct-the arch, which was made of wedge-shaped stones and the columns
taller and thinner.
 Pantheon, Rome- the cement dome, well decoration, pavement of marble and porphyry,
and diameter of rotunda are 142 feet.
 Coliseum in Rome- a building the size of a modern football stadium is where gladiators
fought.

Early Christian Architecture (400-700 A.D.)

Under Emperor Constantine I, another innovation of Architecture began, and churches were built for
public worships.

Early Christian Architecture Style. This style has Roman basilica plan of center aisle, one or two
side aisles, and apse, as well as plain buttressed façade, sometimes with small round window and
compound arches. These campanile or bell tower is disengaged from façade from square covered
ceilings and the interior is marble and mosaics. It also has variation of Roman orders, such as basket
capitals.

Examples:

 Roman Basilica- has a clerestory from the windows, aisle between columns, the nave
between the two walls with columns, the apse which was a semi-circular altar with an arch
above it.
 Santo Spirito, Florence- built on 1436, the flooring of the church was made like a cross, and
there are many big columns with an arch between two columns.