Architectural Styles

Art Stud 1 X3-b

Group 2 Report: Architecture

1.

Neolithic (10,000 2000 BC)

Made use of large stones and mud bricks
Combination of practical use and aesthetic design
Example: Stonehenge

2.

Romanesque (6th century 10th century)

Style of Medieval Europe
Characterized by semi-circular arches, thick walls,
arcades, vaulted roofs and towers
Example: Pisa Cathedral

3.

Renaissance (15th century 17th century)

Revival of Greek and Roman elements (round
arches, domes, columns)
Rejected the intricacy and complexity of
Gothic/Romanesque architecture
Emphasis on symmetry, proportion (most important
factor of beauty), and geometry
Example: Tempietto of San Pietro

4.

Victorian (mid late 19th century)

Refers to reign of Queen Victoria
During the Industrial Revolution when architects
embraced new materials and technologies
Revival of historic styles mixed with Middle Eastern
and Asian influences
Example: St. Pancras Railway Station

5.

Traditional Japanese
Typified by wooden structures elevated slightly off
the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs
Roofs: Dominant feature
Made use of sliding doors instead of walls which
allowed customizable spaces
Introduction of Buddhism started the building of
large-scale temples using complicated techniques
Example: Todai-ji Temple

6.

Expressionism (early 20th century)

Transforms reality rather than seeking to imitate it
Distortion, fragmentation, overstressed emotions,
exoticism, irrationality, exaggeration
Example: Einstein Tower

Jacinto. Raymundo. Zamora. Lichauco. Quimbo. Evaristo.

Architecture
v
v
v
v

v
v
v

The art or practice of designing and constructing

buildings
The complex or carefully designed structure of
something
A social institution interconnected with culture, politics,
and religion
Tool for societal preservation
Architecture and society shape each other.
Architecture is capable of conveying social and
intellectual meaning.
Expression of religious beliefs, culture, and the
political practices of the society through physical
and visual forms
Symbol of political power
Sign of progress and development
Serves as unifying element of a state or a nation

Famous Architects
1.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Known for his innovative detailing
Style is still one with nature
Famous work: Fallingwater House

2.

Frank Gehry
Known for his deconstructive forms of architecture
Famous work: Walt Disney Concert Hall

3.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Known for his minimalist approach to architecture
Famous work: Farnsworth House

4.

Zaha Hadid
Forms are characterized by futuristic,
unconventional, daring, and artistic styles
Famous work: Heydar Aliyev Center

5.

Le Corbusier
Embraced functionalism
Rejected non-structural ornamentation
Famous work: Notre Dame Du Haut

History of Philippine Architecture

A.

Pre-Hispanic Era
Rock shelters and caves in Palawan
Early Filipinos were nomadic and constantly in
search of food
Did not need to build permanent homes
Relied on nature when creating temporary
shelters

B.

C.

Houses were rectangular in shape and built on stilts

so they could be lifted and transported to new
locations
Example: bahay kubo
In Mindanao: Mosques due to emergence of Islamic
religion before the western colonizers

Spanish Colonial Era

Introduction to the Antillean style of architecture
Modified to suit tropical climate of the
Philippines
European style but originated from Central
America
Influence on architecture of churches which
symbolized Catholicism
Spanish or Mexican Baroque
Influenced by environmental conditions of the
country
Example: Miag-ao Church
American and Japanese Era
American time: Drastic change in architectural
design
Structures were built to serve as government
buildings and had elements similar to Greek and
Roman elements
American architects started the proto-modernist
way of designing (unadorned facades with large
windows)
Daniel Burnham: American architect put in charge
of the master plans for Manila and Baguio
Example: Burnham Park, Baguio
Other American contributions: System of concrete
reinforcements, introduction of hollow blocks, use
of anti-termite hardwood, and mass fabrication of
building types
Japanese did not bring any significant architectural
change

D.

Late 20th Century

Architects started to merge modernist style with the
use of traditional and local materials
Imelda Marcos: Popularized the use of indigenous
materials and icons in building projects
Example: Coconut Palace

E.

New Millennium
Tripartite decision of columnar architecture for
skyscrapers (tower-on-the-podium)
Modern commercial buildings known for their
unpredictability
Current trend is to improve efficiency of constructed
buildings while moderating use of energy
Example: Gramercy Residences

Green Architecture
v
v
v

Goal: Minimize harmful effects on humans and the

environment
Attempt to protect nature by choosing eco-friendly
materials and practices
Examples:
1. Thai temple made from 1 million recycled bottles
2. Shanghai tower with sky gardens, rainwater
recycling system, and wind turbines
3. Studios made out of recycled cars in London

Disposable Japanese Homes

v
v
v

Japan has the highest number of architects per capita in

the world
Huge demand for new homes despite shrinking
population and stagnant economy
Physical homes become worthless after 30 years and
are demolished
Japanese architects are more open to risky
designs
Weird houses are common
Fear of earthquakes and continual revision of building
codes have required the constant tearing down and
building of new structures
Cycle of demolishing prevents the building of wealth on
top of wealth

The Problem With Architecture Today

Travis Price
American architect
Leading proponent of green architecture
Believes todays architecture lacks soul and leaves
people feeling disconnected and isolated
Problem can be fixed by bringing nature back into
architecture, or architecture back to nature
Nature-inspired architecture has a positive effect on the
communities in which they exist

Link to actual presentation used in class:

http://tinyurl.com/AS1-Architecture