ARCH 105H1

Lecture 1: History of Architecture

Name: Lawrence Ogunsanya

Email : ogunsanya@ukzn.ac.za

Introduction

• What is history?

• derived from the Greek noun ’historia’ meaning “inquiry or research”

• The branch of knowledge dealing with past events.

• The record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race.

• The bodies of knowledge about the past produced by historians, together with everything that is involved in the production, communication of, and teaching about that knowledge.

Introduction

• What is Architecture?

• Latin: architectura, from the Greek: arkhitekton:

"chief builder”.

• It is both the process and the product of planning,

designing, and constructing buildings and other

physical structures.

• The art and science of designing buildings

• The planning and designing form, space and

ambience to reflect functional, technical, social,

environmental and aesthetic considerations.

Introduction

• What is Architecture?

• Architecture provides a sense of place and

support of all types of human activity.

• Architecture is a passion, a vocation, a calling –

as well as a science and a business. It has been

described as a social art and also an artful

science.

• The act of artfully placing complex forms in

remote locations to be photographed for

magazine covers.

• Architecture is “frozen music”

Introduction

• What is Architectural History?

• The history of architecture traces the changes in

architecture through various traditions, regions,

overarching stylistic trends, and dates.

• Architectural history is the discipline that records,

studies and interprets architecture.

• It studies its forms, purposes, and most

importantly its evolution.

• Fortunately, ancient architecture can easily be

observed and recorded.

Introduction

• What is Architectural History?

• Architectural history falls within the broad category of social sciences.

• The study of architectural history helps one to understand the landscape and urban built environment,

• beginning with ancient times and progressing to contemporary life.

• Understanding such history is important in fostering appreciation for how surrounding structures affect our lives in a broader cultural context.

Relevance of Architectural History

• Architecture is the most lasting evidence of

human culture.

• It is ever-changing as we are influenced by our

interactions with the environment and with each

other.

• These structures become an expression of

ourselves and in turn become a part of us.

Relevance of Architectural History • The history of architecture is an important and

integral part of the THEORY of architecture the

understanding of one building, contributes to the

understanding of the other buildings.

• It provides architects and architecture students

with a broad general exposure to the visual &

technical design of architecture as manifestations

of culture in a historical context.

Relevance of Architectural History

• the history of architecture is important because it

helps us to understand how architecture

influences society and its culture over time.

• the study of historical architecture also helps to

stimulate the creative juices in the minds of the

students.

Relationship of Architecture & History

• The earliest surviving written work on the subject of architecture is De architectura, by the Roman architect Vitruvius in the early 1st century AD.

• According to Vitruvius, a good building should satisfy the three principles of firmitas, utilitas, venustas, which translate roughly as –

• Durability – it should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.

• Utility – it should be useful and function well for the people using it.

• Beauty – it should delight people and raise their spirits.

Relationship of Architecture & History“Durability”

Relationship of Architecture & History“Utility”

Relationship of Architecture & History“Beauty”

Relationship of Architecture & History

• Architecture - the art of designing and

constructing buildings - has always been closely

intertwined with the history for various reasons:

• Aesthetics

• Consolidate security and power

• Culture and religion

• Technology

• Urban form

• Aesthetics

• Architecture is considered a visual art like

painting and sculpture.

• Architects design buildings using a creative

process by which they manipulate art elements to

create a unified and pleasing artistic statement.

• These distinctive design elements are evident in

the periodic architectural styles and movements.

Relationship of Architecture & History

CONSOLIDATE SECURITY AND POWER

Consolidate security and power

L’ Aquila, Spain

Consolidate security and power

Nurnberg , Germany

Consolidate security and power

Hirschhorn am Neckar, Germany

Consolidate security and power

The Forbidden City, Beijing.

Senate building, Washington DC, USA

Consolidate security and power

Museum, Kyrgyzstan

Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata, India. Windsor Castle, England

Consolidate security and power

Palace of Versailles, Paris Mont Saint Michel, France

Consolidate security and power

CULTURE AND RELIGION

Parthenon, Athens, Greece

Ziggurat, western Iraq

Culture and religion

Florence cathedral, Italy

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, France

Culture and religion

Mosque in Djene, Mali

Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

Culture and religion

TECHNOLOGY

Order, proportion, and refinement

of design

Temples built to honour their

gods, surrounded by open

porticos (porches) and columns

Development of the truss system,

a triangulated load-bearing

construction to allow for sloped

roofs.

The triangle formed by the truss is

called a pediment

Technology

Doric

(Plain square capital on top of columns)

Ionic

(Capital with spiral design called a volute)

Corinthian

(Capital with two rows of acanthus leaves)

Development of a system of naming the design and details of columns.

These classical order of architecture are still used today, they includes:

Technology

Development of the concrete arch , dome and vaulted roof

Technology

Development of pilasters (Columns partially embedded in the walls)

Technology

URBAN FORM

Urban form

Ancient Babylon

Acropolis, Athens

Urban form

Palmanova,italy

Geometric forms

Urban form

Urban form