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Transcript of O'Brien Carmel RES
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Carmel O¶BrienDr. Dietel-McLaughlin
FYC 133002 May 2011
³Our architecture reflects truly as a mirror.´-Lois Henri Sullivan
Architecture, the artistic and scientific designing and character of a structure, is a
form of art subjected to constant change. Throughout history, architecture has been
ultimately determined by its support, its functionality with its surroundings, and the
aesthetics (also know as the Vitruvian triad). Most styles can be seen in the periods of
Ancient Rome. From the sixth century Early Christian basilicas through the Renaissance
in 1420, Ancient Roman architecture remains to be the most fascinating and superior
forms of architectural research to this day.
Aside from the soundness, utility, and attractiveness, one of the most important
functions of architecture is the ability to relate the forms and styles of building to the
values and character of society at the time. Across the centuries of Ancient Rome,
architecture has been a significant reflection upon society. In fact, this relationship was a
crucial motivation in the architectural profession. Similarly, the structural design found
around the Notre Dame campus has proved to be equally reflective of the mission and
morals of the university. The question is: what is the architecture saying about Notre
Dame? What aspects of the University¶s character are being expressed through the
architecture on campus?
The quest for the answer brings one all the way back to beginning of the sixth
century Italy. The Early Christian period began with the fall of the Roman Empire in the
sixth century, when the pagan empire transformed to a Christian empire. Upon
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Constantine¶s defeat of Maxentius (resulting in his reign over the West), he embraced the
Christian faith. Christianity began to spread across Europe. After the emancipation of the
Church by Constantine, countries such as Spain, Greece, Palestine, North Africa and
Yugoslavia, were being reshaped by Christianity. Due to this influx of religion, the
Christians needed gathering space. The introduction of the Basilica has been a
monumental milestone in the history of architecture. They consisted of a rectangular
courtyard, lined with porticoes (a lavish entrance to a building), successions of columns
carrying one¶s gaze to the sanctuary, a central aisle and an exterior made of brick. The
exteriors were mostly simple coupled with a lavishly decorated with marble and mosaics.
Also introduced, was the concept of the order. The order is a set of columns used
according to the function and significance of the building. The highest order was known
as the Composite. During the Early Christian period, Constantine insisted upon using the
Composite order solely on religious buildings. This symbolized Christ¶s reign. The
architecture of this time period can be seen as a symbol for the empire¶s devotion to
Christ and belief in Christianity.
From 950-1500 B.C. Europe was being shaped by Feudalism. In result, the
crusades, 1095-1270, created a movement rich with ideas and trade skills. The movement
is reflected in the architecture with the use of metalworkings, provision of arms, and the
homogeneity in building methods amongst different regions. This transformation is
known as the Romanesque and Gothic Periods. These two architectural styles are very
similar and are thus clumped together in the same time period. With the settling of
political turmoil, came a flourish in Romanesque building activity. Since many still
remembered the horror of invasions, windows were kept small. Although the walls were
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plain, they began to stretch higher and higher. The height of these soaring walls required
thicker and thick columns at the bases complemented with supporting arches. I appeared
as though the columns turned into walls. In addition, ribbed vaults were constructed on
the ceilings (in order for them to rest safely on the walls), double-centered arches were
used in the nave, and a triforium gallery was built. A triforium gallery, in Romanesque
architecture, is a gallery built in the thick walls of cathedral or church lined with arches.
Similar to Romanesque architecture, the gothic style of architecture dominated
into Europe into the 15th
century. The origin of the Gothic form comes from a man by the
name Abbot Suger, Abbot of Saint-Denis, in 1141. Similar to Romanesque, Gothic
architecture featured walls reaching great heights. However, the goal of was to improve
the flaws in the Romanesque style (i.e. lack of light). The Gothic design involves
transition to pointed arches and ribbed vaulting. ³«they sensed these elements of design
might work together synergetically, each expanding the potential of the other, to create a
lighter and more visually transparent architecture´ (Roth 291). People could celebrate in
the vast scale and splendor of the buildings. The most recognizable characteristic of a
Gothic Cathedral is the replacement of thick cement walls with stained glass. This new
technique allowed for light to filter in and transform the experience. Also, the stained
glass became a structural representation of biblical
stories. The illiterate people of the time needed a way
to learn and understand the biblical stories in order to
practice their faith. The architects used this technique
to teach those less fortunate citizens. However, this
change required supplementary support, thus, the
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and Islam, one can then apply this theory to modern day architecture. In this case, the
architecture under speculation is found on our very own campus at the University of
Notre Dame. The question that remains, however, is what it is saying about our mission
on campus. What does the architecture reflect about Notre Dame¶s mission and values?
Notre Dame is a very well known school set apart by its devotion to tradition.
This is seen through our alumni loyalty, from certain dorms (i.e. Sorin hall and their
Friday sweaters), our sports teams, and our rules. As Reverend Charles Carey says,
³Preserving this tradition, and this meaning of Irish at Notre Dame does honor to every
one of us´(Carey). However, when it comes to the architecture, I believe the University
is abandoning its traditional ways and is moving more towards futuristic designs.
School administrators, alumni, and even students may disagree with this
accusation. In their defense, the main building, with its famous Golden Dome*, dates
back to the year 1879, the same year the previous building was burnt down. It remains a
symbol for Notre Dame¶s past and present. Kiddy corner to the main building, one will
find Walsh Hall. Walsh Hall was constructed in 1909 and was ³considered a luxurious
residence hall at the time´ (Office of Res. Life). The old age of this dorm, along with
many others, is said to give the living spaces character accompanied by no air
conditioning.
Not only will they emphasize the establishment of the buildings located in ³God
Quad´, they will also stress the religious influence on the architecture. Notre Dame is
known for being a higher institute for Catholic learning. Therefore many people may
suggest that the architecture on campus is reflective of Catholic faith and our move
towards justice and human solidarity, as seen in the Sacred Heart Basilica. In addition, as
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stated on the University¶s website, The mission of Notre Dame is, ³«to cultivate in its
students not only an appreciation for the great achievements of human beings, but also a
disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so
many. The aim is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good
that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice´ (University of Notre Dame).
The values of the University all revolve around the Catholic trinity: The father, the son
and the Holy Spirit. Notre Dame is a ³Catholic academic community of higher learning´
and the belief remains that the main influence for everything on campus is Jesus Christ
himself.
However when it comes to the developing architecture, this is not the case. Across
the campus, we are surrounded by evidence; the evidence lies within the buildings
themselves. The earliest move towards non-traditional building started with the
construction of the addition to the football stadium. The stadium was first built in 1930,
replacing the previous, Cartier Field. Famous Fighting Irish coach, Knute Rockne,
heavily influenced the design of the stadium. The stadium was known for its impeccable
view of ³Touch Down Jesus´, the mosaic mural on the side of Hesburgh Library. This
mural, named T he Word of Life is a depiction of Jesus raising his arms in peace to the
school. However, to students, Jesus is in a referee stance signaling a touch down.
However, in 1997, new seats were added on to the stadium in order to increase the
stadium¶s capacity to the present 80,795. This addition tragically obscured the view of
the Jesus mural when inside the stadium. Such a calamity spiraled the University into a
campus controversy along with student and alumni disappointment. Now, the athletic
department promotes this change in a historical University monument by stating, ³ Notre
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Dame Stadium now qualifies as one of the most up to date, thanks to a major addition and
renovations that boosted its capacity to more than 80,000...´ (University of Notre Dame).
In addition to the legendary football stadium, the campus also is home to recently
designed dormitories. All someone has to do is take a stroll across West Quad (containing
Welsh Family, Keough, O¶Neil, McGlinn
and Duncan) to see this theory in action.
These new, air-conditioned dorms that
skyscrape across the quad, are the picture
perfect contrast to the established neo-
gothic style found in older areas of campus. The youngest of these West Quad dwellers in
Duncan Hall, built in 2007. It incorporates new and improved qualities not found in other
dorms on campus such as ³super rooms´ (meaning the rooms are larger then typical on
campus dorm rooms and house more students), a food service business and what is
considered a ³luxurious´ workout facility.
Lastly, the University is currently in the depths of yet another architectural debate.
On the Main Building, Sorin Hall, Walsh Hall, Washington Hall and many others, exist
the famous Notre Dame yellow bricks. These special bricks are unique because they
contain a certain mineral, marl, only found in the Notre Dame Lake. Amidst the
renovation of Brownson Hall (located directly behind the Main building), the architects
have commissioned the disposing of these traditional, scared bricks. They are eliminating
them in order to make way for bricks that are newer, more sustainable and more
aesthetically pleasing. This abandonment is yet another example of the separation from
University tradition.
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So What? Some may question the importance of such an issue. In response, this
argument is very significant to the lives of the students that attend the university. It is a
student¶s right to know the motives behind the school they attend and to be aware of the
messages it is trying to send through the architecture. If Notre Dame continues to design
and reconstruct in this way, what will the University look like in the future. Most likely,
Dr. Erin Dietel-McGlaughlin¶s 12:30 FYC class will not be the only one in a futuristic,
technological classroom.
The relationship between architecture and society in Ancient Rome and Islam can
be applied to all time periods in history and every region of the world, ³Roman
Architectures«aesthetic principles and presumptions-communicated to posterity in part
through the remains themselves but at least equally through the importance [and] has
long shaped the architectural vision of the west´ (Anderson). Thus, the architecture on
campus, as influenced by past architecture, is a distinct reflection upon the University¶s
motivations and goals as well. It exposes the university¶s abandonment of their traditional
pretense and an advance to modern architecture and principles. Notre Dame is preparing
for the future and is starting to express that in the developing architecture of the campus.
*Fact: The amount of Gold used to cover the Dome is about the size of a baseball.
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Works Cited
Anderson, James C. Roman Architecture and Society. 1st ed. Baltimore, Md: JohnsHopkins UP, 2002. Print.
Carey, Rev. Charles. "Notre Dame Traditions." N otre Dame Archives. University of Notre Dame. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://archives.nd.edu/ringel/trad.htm>.
Fletcher, Tom. "Islamic Architecture History." Islamic Architecture. Web. 15 Mar. 2011.<http://www.islamic-architecture.info/A-HIST.htm>.
"Mission Statement // About ND." University of N otre Dame. University of Notre Dame,
2007-2011. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://nd.edu/aboutnd/mission-statement/>.Web.
Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning . 1st
ed. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1993. Print.
Stace, Arthur J. "The University of Notre Dame." Donahoe's Magazine. Jan. 1885. Web.5 Mar. 2011. <http://archives.nd.edu/research/texts/stace.htm>. Web.
Wall, D. R., T. F. Mathews, S. Edwards, and P. Murray. "History of Church
Architecture." Gale Virtual Reference Library (2003). Web. 1 Mar. 2011.