One of the main themes that we’ve discussed in our first unit is commodity, firmness, and delight. Which is the idea that all architectural design should serve a specific function, or multiple functions; that a building should be able to stand the wear and tare of time and that it should be visually appealing. This theme opened my view of architecture. When exploring this idea more we talked about the difference between art and architecture, and came up with the most understandable comparison between the two that I’ve ever known. Art fulfills only firmness and delight, meaning it stands the test of time and is visually appealing, but serves no function, while architecture serves all three. What I found most interesting about this theme was how the function we need a space to serve, and what we consider to be visually appealing changes over time. So a structure must be able to morph to different serve several different functions.
When speaking of commodity, firmness, and delight we talked about Stonehenge. Stonehenge is most certainly visually appealing and has lasted many, many years, but its function is unknown to us. Many believe it to act as a calendar, or time telling machine of some sort. Its circular formation draws a person to its center. It is also built in such a large scale that some people think it was mean to be viewed from the heavens.
(Image below taken from http://www.sawse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/stonehenge.jpg)
We also talked about the six distinguishing features of architecture. Which are: interior versus exterior, third dimension, fourth dimension (time), light as the primary medium, color and materials, and furnishings. Going along with this theme we talked about how all of these components have to intertwine and work together to make a whole.
These themes allow me to see more clearly what standards my designs must meet in order to be successful. My thought process for everything that I design has expanded to something much more detailed and refined since I’ve thought more about what criteria they will need to meet in real life.
When moving along the lines of commodity, firmness, and delight we considered whether or not these words mean the same things across the world. Is what we consider to be beautiful deemed beautiful in other countries? What changes? With this we switched our focus to Roman versus Greek architecture. In Greece the architecture was based off of the surroundings, which was largely water. It was the search to make the ideal into reality. They wanted their central city to be the greatest. In Rome, with the acropolis in Athens the Romans created a building that was so monumental to all other architecture after it. The Parthenon held so many functions, such as commerce, speeches, and a gathering place for people from all around. The proportions of all the buildings created in Greece and Rome stemmed from the diameter of the columns inside and outside of the building.
We also talked about the six distinguishing features of architecture. Which are: interior versus exterior, third dimension, fourth dimension (time), light as the primary medium, color and materials, and furnishings. Going along with this theme we talked about how all of these components have to intertwine and work together to make a whole.These themes allow me to see more clearly what standards my designs must meet in order to be successful. My thought process for everything that I design has expanded to something much more detailed and refined since I’ve thought more about what criteria they will need to meet in real life.
When moving along the lines of commodity, firmness, and delight we considered whether or not these words mean the same things across the world. Is what we consider to be beautiful deemed beautiful in other countries? What changes? With this we switched our focus to Roman versus Greek architecture. In Greece the architecture was based off of the surroundings, which was largely water. It was the search to make the ideal into reality. They wanted their central city to be the greatest. In Rome, with the acropolis in Athens the Romans created a building that was so monumental to all other architecture after it. The Parthenon held so many functions, such as commerce, speeches, and a gathering place for people from all around. The proportions of all the buildings created in Greece and Rome stemmed from the diameter of the columns inside and outside of the building.
These Roman and Greek buildings all perfected the idea of leading the viewers through the space, clarifying you for entrance through the porch to the more common area called the court, and then if you were worthy enough you went to the hearth. The hearth was deemed a very privileged place to be, all the most detailed and refined architecture and landscaping was there for people to see.
For me commodity, firmness, and delight were the most profound and interesting themes that I’ve learned. It really clarified to me exactly what architecture, or design in general must be to be successful.
For me commodity, firmness, and delight were the most profound and interesting themes that I’ve learned. It really clarified to me exactly what architecture, or design in general must be to be successful.
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