Questionnaire
In the 1800’s & 1900’s what was the attitude of those period in terms of materials & aesthetics?
There were different movements in architecture during the 1800s. The Romantic Movement was one of them. Romanticism was epitomised by the reaction of sentiment over reason. Romanticists yearned for the aesthetics of the past. The approach of the designers and builders of the period 1800 to 1900, the Romantic Period, was to combine different styles and architectural movements from previous eras. Gothic motifs, Renaissance designs, the picturesque and exotic styles from the east are just a few of those employed. Sir John Vanbrugh was a leading exponent as evidenced by his own house in Blackheath, London with it’s towers and castellated walls. His designs drew heavily on cothe medieval period. Hawksmoor was another leading architect who adopted this style of architecture. Horace Walpole established the Gothic as a style for the English country house. These designers believed that these styles stood for all that is genuine and sincere. They believed that Greek Classicism and the Gothic were the salvation from 18th century flippancy with it’s reliance on styles such as the Rococo elementary geometric shapes. The Romanticists were often equally as thoughtless in their use of styles from the past but the work of Sir John Soane. He too was a Classicist but use the traditional forms with far greater freedom. His own house, now a museum, is an example of this.
A re-action to this was inspired by the Industrial Revolution. Not by architects first of all but by engineers. Most architects hated the industrial developments. They did not see that the Industrial Revolution created opportunities for new ideas of beauty, order and architectural planning.
The development of three main materials iron, steel and glass was an important aspect and new structural methods were developed. This gave rise to the development of new building forms, factories, warehouses, town halls (Birmingham)railway terminals (Euston London). In the mid 19th century cast iron was used in large buildings such as warehouses and libraries. Greater spans to be achieved and to build higher. Reinforced concrete was developed at the end of the 19th century which combined the tensile strength of steel and the compressive strength of stone. The Crystal Palace designed by Joseph Paxton for the 1851 International Exhibition was an excellent example of the possibilities of cast iron and glass.
At about the same time Pugin and John Ruskin proposed the concept that architecture must be a social service, that a building must , first and foremost , be truthful. It was William Morris who decried the idea that art should be created just for a small group of connoisseurs and stated that art matters only ‘if all can share it’. The arts and crafts movement of which he was a leading member stated that art should be by the people for the people. They felt that the characteristics of materials of that period were not respected when they were fashioned into objects, objects that were badly made and covered with excessive and often vulgar ornament. The Arts and Crafts Movement was an international response to these excesses in the decorative arts. It was also anti-industrialisation, industrialisation they felt had a negative effect on design, on traditional skills and on the lives of ordinary people.
How have they changed to this current time?
The reversion to traditional methods of production advocated by the Arts and Crafts Movement meant that the that the products produced in this way were too expensive.
As an Architect what considerations must be taken into account when designing the external part of a building?
Environmental factors must be taken into consideration. The façade of a building is an important environmental moderator as it is the interface between the interior space and the exterior environment. A properly designed skin to a new building can make the building perform more effectively for it’s owners, occupants in moderating the internal environment with the prevailing external conditions, so that the heating and cooling systems are employed less and therefore emit reduced amounts of gasses that are harmful to the environment. The building’s skin also plays a crucial role in the exchange of light between the interior of a building and the exterior. The orientation of the building is important as different climatic factors apply if a facade is oriented towards the north, east, west or south. Part L of the Building Regulations as imposed stricter requirements on architects in designing buildings to limit harmful emissions which are damaging to the atmosphere.
The ‘public realm’ is a very important consideration. How buildings (together with the street and the square) are the key elements used in urban design to create environments that satisfy the needs of communities and which ‘lift the spirit’.
And how does this relate to the interior?
Architects in the 20th century believed that form follows function and that the external appearance of a building is dictated by the satisfactory creation of internal spaces that meet the needs of users of the buildings. There are architects and urban designers who believe this to be so but there are also those who assert that the façades of buildings should first of all satisfy the needs of the public realm with the internal resolution of spaces as a secondary concern.
Are aesthetics important to the usage of the building?
Yes aesthetics are important. The contribution of building aesthetics is enormous to the public realm. Building users and those who pass by are hugely effected by the appearance of buildings. Well designed buildings can influence the public realm by their form and the spaces their placement creates. Their texture , colour, shape and size are important design elements in creating aesthetically pleasing buildings.
What are the current trends in architectural Style and Design?
Current trends are increasingly driven by concerns for the environment . Passive building design is an important trend where green princples are employed in building design to reduce carbon emissions and the wastage of energy.
Does the façade have to relate to the typology of the building?
Yes it does. As each building type is different, different environmental factors will obtain. The fabric of the buildings must therefore respond to these in varying ways.
Are you looking for a similar paper or any other quality academic essay? Then look no further. Our research paper writing service is what you require. Our team of experienced writers is on standby to deliver to you an original paper as per your specified instructions with zero plagiarism guaranteed. This is the perfect way you can prepare your own unique academic paper and score the grades you deserve.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]