The Beginnings of Architecture

start

Architecture

The beginnings!

Prehistoric architecture

• people lived mostly in simple HUTS but also BUILT IMPOSING STONE STRUCTURES

• works of this period: called MEGALITHIC ARCHITECTURE

mega = largelith = stone

• they are impressive because huge
• consist of huge stones fitted together without mortar or cement
• they rarely show any inscription or signs of art

Prehistoric architecture

DOLMENS two or more stone posts supporting a horizontal stone slab

MENHIRS single upright stones; often enourmous; stand either alone or with others, in an alignment

Megalithic monuments

--> their true meaning was probably RELIGIOUS --> surprising: similar megalithic structures are spread all over Europe (from the Irish coasts in the north, to the isle of Malta in the south

CROMLECHSa circle of standing stones

CHAMBER TOMBS tombs under a great mound

Megalithic monuments

• in southern England
• one of the most famous Megalithic archaeological sites in the world

In general

• at the centre of a dense web of other Neolithic structures
• included hundreds burial mounds
• what we see is the final stage of a site built in 3 periods between 5000 BC and 1500 BC

STONEHENGE

Reasons for its construction are UNKNOWProbably it was a TEMPLE or an ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY

Features – 2 circles of huge stone blocks (a CROMLECH) – Largest stones divided in 2 groups First group: external circle of VERTICAL STONES topped by flat SLABS Second group: inside the circle, it's a HORSESHOE-shaped alignment of 5 pairs of huge stones – with a LINTEL on top of each pair – heaviest stones weigh as much as 50 tons each – the QUARRIES were located more than 200 kilometers away!

STONEHENGE

• Greek civilization:
• long and powerful influence on Western civilization

starting from the 7th century BC

• continuous search for PERFECTION

• artists reached art expressions that embodied the ideals of

beautybalanceharmonyordermoderation--> they set BENCHMARKS for the centuries to come

Greek architecture

Features– simple post-and-lintel constructions– showed all of the Greek artistic excellenceEssential elements:

• stepped PODIUM
• CELLA – rectangular chamber containing the statue of the god
• COLUMNS – formed the portico and surrounded the cella
• ENTABLATURE or LINTEL – rested upon the columns
• GABLE ROOF
• PEDIMENT – triangular section under the gable of the roof

TEMPLES

Features– usually had a rectangular plan– were built out of stone or marble blocks – decorated with STATUES and RELIEFS painted with bright colours (visible from a distance!)

TEMPLES

Columns of 3 main orders– they displayed the aspiration to ideal beauty --> beauty consisted in HARMONY and PROPORTION between the parts --> to this purpose: strict geometric and mathematical rules that established the relationship between the elements This set of rules was called "ORDER"

Architectural orders

See page 191 of your book for the description of the 3 main orders

base

shaft

capital

entablature

Architectural orders

Architectural orders

PARTHENON

• between the 1st century BC and the 4th AD
• in Rome but also in all the territories of the empire
• Romans:

learnt from Greeks and Etruscans and reworked construction techniques in their own way!Romans:people with great PRACTICAL SENSE great ENGINEERSSKILLFUL BUILDERS

Roman architecture

Romans built impressive PUBLIC WORKS: e.g. AQUEDUCTS BATHS TEMPLES THEATRES CIRCUSES BASILICAS for the administration of justice

Roman architecture

!!! Unlike the Greeks... Romans used the TECHNOLOGY of the ARCH and the DOME

Roman architecture

Pantheon, Rome

– dedicated to all gods– from the 2nd century ADFeatures:

• large circular space
• topped by a huge DOME

DOME

• the largest ever built in UNREINFORCED CONCRETE
• diameter of 44 meters
• decorated with COFFERS
• central open oculus lets in light and air

--> for its perfection => an inspiring model for many centuries

PANTHEON

Rome ruled much of Britain for nearly 400 years. – invasion of Caesar in 55 BC – conquest completed only in 43 AD (Emperor Claudius) Before: constructions were quite primitive Arrival of the Romans = new building material (CONCRETE) building technique of BRICK MASONRY --> they built large and durable structure using cheap, local materials introduction of the ARCH and DOME

Roman BRITANNIA

!!! Architecture was a concrete expression of the culture, power and prestige of the Roman Empire. 410 AD: Romans WITHDREW to defend Rome When it happend they left behindmany FORTIFIED TOWNS (e.g. Londinium, York and Manchester)rich villaspalacesspaslarge network of well paved military roads (that connected the country

Roman BRITANNIA

Bath's Roman baths

Hadrian's Wall

Roman BRITANNIA

Middle Ages:

• after centuries of invasions and conflicts, Europe experiences more stability
• construction starts again
• builders take Roman remains as models

= development of a new style across Europe (10th - 12th Century AD): ROMANESQUE

Romanesque architecture

Features of the ROMANESQUE:

• thick walls
• round arches
• BARREL VAULTS
• small openings

Most buildings:

• peculiar sense of strength and massive solidity
• overall appearance of simplicity
• decorations: on the theme of round arch

--> e.g. blind arcading or simple geometric patterns

Romanesque architecture

In England: known as Norman style because it was brought by the Normans after their conquest in 1066

Romanesque architecture

• Cathedrals or ABBEY churches were typical expressions of Romanesque
• developed on the model of the Roman basilica

i.e.

• basilica with an added TRANSEPT that formed a
• LATIN CROSS plan

CATHEDRALS

CATHEDRALS

Buildings had different regional features

• SOUTHERN EUROPE
• a nave
• two lower aisles
• a gable roof
• usually a bell tower at side

• NORTHERN EUROPE
• west front usually included two twin towers
• a third bigger tower was at the crossing of the nave and the transept

CATHEDRALS

Everywhere, churches:

• were built out of large stone blocks
• altar at the east end
• entrance at the opposite end of the altar
• the interior was nearly dark
• strong pillars dominated the nave

Externally

• BUTTRESSES strengthened a plain facade
• facades were embellished with an oculus or two-light windows

CATHEDRALS

Effect: mostly severe and austere unadorned stone walls give a peculiar architectural strength

CATHEDRALS

1066

• Normans invaded England and established their rule
• William the Conqueror started a massive

CASTLE BUILDING PROGRAMME (to impose his rule on the rebellious Saxon population)Purpose of CASTLES

• protect the Norman lord
• intimidate local people; deter people from attacks
• provide a place to keep soldiers
• protect strategic locations

Norman Castles

11th Cent.

--> first castles built in EnglandConsisted in:

• a large artificial or natural hill (the MOTTE)
• on the motte stood a wooden tower surrounded by a PALISADE
• at the bottom of the motte: an area called the BAILEY

There, people lived and worked --> it included cottages, soldiers' quarters, stables, storehouses

• the bailey was surrounded by a wooden palisade and a DITCH

Motte-and-bailey castles

CASTLE

• ground floor: for soldiers and servants
• first floor: great hall

(centre of life in the castle)

• second floor: lord and his family

+ often a chapel

11th-12th Cent.

• replaced motte-and-baileys
• built with thick stone walls

(to prevent siege machines break through the walls)

• could be surrounded by a ditch or moat
• entrance to the castle: via wooden stairs

(could be retreated in case of danger)WALLS

• around 4 meters

thick at the base

• over 30 meters in

height

Stone keep castles

13th-15th Cent.

• offered the best protection against long sieges
• had 2 or 3 rings of defensive walls
• central space: open yard around which were domestic

buildings, including storehouses

• central keep: for accomodation
• outer walls: surrounded by a moat

--> access over a drawbridge through a separate gatehouse

Concentric castles

Gothic architecture

mid 12th-16th Cent.

• developed from Romanesque in France and then spread throughout Europe
• based on 3 INNOVATIONS
• POINTED ARCH
• RIBBED VAULT
• FLYING BUTTRESS

--> these allowed a more sophisticated system of building= buildings became MUCH HIGHER, LIGHTER and MORE GRACEFUL

Gothic architecture

• RICH ORNAMENTATION

(because carving techniques had improved) mostly representing foliage and geometric shapes

• VERTICALITY
• POINTED ARCHES

decorative or structural, they were everywhere (= all openings –doorways, windows, arcades, galleries...– had pointed arches)

• COLUMNS

become complex groups of slender shafts --> effect: strong feeling of verticality

Gothic architecture

* coloured pieces of glass joined together with strips of lead to make a picture or a pattern.

• LIGHT
• ROSE WINDOWS

at least one

• STAINED GLASS*

used to represent (and teach) stories from the Bible to a largely uneducated population

Gothic architecture

• 15th century

(Perpendicular style)

• there was a predominance of vertical lines
• fan vaults and huge stained glass windows
• the interior was light and spacious

• 13th century (Early English)
• churches still austere and simple
• with narrow windows and slender towers topped by spires

• 14th Century

(Decorated style)

• architecture became more decorated with stone carvings on larger windows and imposing portals

• best achievements in religious buildings

--> built to represent the power and wealth of the Church

English Gothic Architecture

West entrance

• deeply recessed, arched portal
• above the portal: two rows of niches with statues
• huge stained glass window
• 1745: completion of the two large towers

Lady Chapel (east end)

West entrance

The Abbey

• site of coronations and other important events
• built in 1245
• inspiration: cathedrals in northern France
• typical pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses + idea of an apse with radiating chapels
• nave: long, 31 m high, flanked by lower aisles
• beautifully carved north facade

North entrance

Westminster Abbey (London)

• origins: Florence, early 15th Cent.
• reflection of the rebirth of interest in

CLASSICAL CULTURE

• knowledge of that
• from observation of ruins of ancient Roman constructions
• from reading of *Vitruvius' rediscovered writings

* Vitruvius:= Roman architect from the 1st Cent. BC

Renaissance architecture

ELEMENTS humanist architects revived

• elegance of ancient Classicism
• classical order columns
• round arches
• domes

Buildings:

• had flat and regular facades
• architectural elements were in the shape of the square, circle, rectangle and triangle

Renaissance architecture

Emphasis on BALANCE SYMMETRY REGULARITY OF THE PARTS GEOMETRY := the most important factor of beauty! Buildings --> planned according to a principle of harmony and MATHEMATICAL PROPORTIONS Many buildings: composed with the repetition of 1 or 2 modules (= a standardised unit of construction)

Renaissance style

• first developments in ITALY
• pioneers:

FILIPPO BRUNELLESCHI and LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI

Renaissance style

Inigo Jones

- planned the Banqueting House in London– planned the Queen's House in Greenwich – used clean lines and SYMMETRY – his works were revolutionary in a country still in love with pointed arches, pinnacles and spires

mid 16th Cent.

• arrival only in the mid-16th Cent.
• becomes an eclectic combination of

CLASSICAL ELEMENTS and TUDOR DETAILS

• Introduced by INIGO JONES

Renaissancein England

He also published I quattro libri dell'architettura=: a summary of his classical studies; also a pattern book

Andrea Palladio (1508-1580): the most influential architect of thelate Renaissance

Palladio & Palladianism

Villa Capra

• recalls ancient temples (esp. the Pantheon)
• is actually 'just' a rich mansion

Building:

• three-level
• basement
• first floor (PIANO NOBILE, where the family lived)
• attic
• exterior and the rooms inside: proportioned with

mathematical precision

Villa Capra

Building:

• completely symmetrical
• square plan with 4 identical PROJECTING porticos
• a wide staircase leads up to each portico
• each portico is supported by 6 Ionic columns
• the columns are topped by a pediment decorated with classical statues at outer angles
• large dome on top of the building

Villa Capra

Wikimedia Commons

https://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/types_03_motte.htm

Cardiff Castle

Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/art/Classical-architecture Wikimedia, "De architectura" – 1521 Cesare Cesariano Italian translation of De Architectura Libri Decem (The Ten Books on Architecture) by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. Preserved in the Smithsonian Museum of American History, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:De_architectura.jpg

Vitruvius

A Roman architect, an engineer and the writer of "De architectura", a treatise in ten books.

The Pantheon, Rome