Origins and chronology Monumentalism Stone has long been associated with permanence and solidity.A stone building has a presence,which is why the material has been used to construct many of our symbolic and/or monumental cathedrals,castles and civic buildings. In Ancient Egypt the Great Pyramids of Giza(c.2560 BC) were constructed from layers of stone.Here,stone was used to create monumental structures that signified power, authority and longevity. The Parthenon in Greece is one of the most significant structures in Europe.Built initially as a temple dedicated to Athena,it was later used as a Christian church and then a mosque.It now houses a museum detailing how the structure has adapted to its changing functions over the years.The Parthenon was built under the general supervision of the sculptor Phidias.Construction began in 447 BC,and the building was substantially completed by 432 BC,but Project:Parthenon work on the decorations continued until at least 431 BC. Location:Athens,Greece Architects:Iktinos and Kallikrates Some of the financial accounts for the Parthenon survive and Date:c.447-432 BC show that the largest single expense was transporting the stone from Mount Pentelicus,about 16 kilometres from The Parthenon is an icon of classical architecture.The structure comprises Athens,to the Acropolis. a series of columns,beams and walls that are all made from locally sourced One of the great advantages of stone buildings is that they stone and marble.Each of the have survived the ravages of time and allow us to leam from Parthenon's columns appear as if architects past.In Europe the most dramatic and impressive created from a single piece of stone, but they are actually constructed architecture is made of durable stone.Stone buildings today from a series of interlocking carved remain synonymous with an idea of permanence,quality and stone components that are held solidity,and this suggests a connection between the together with discreet iron clamps. architectural past,present and the future
C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 10/4/08 11:09 AM Page 18 Monumentalism Stone has long been associated with permanence and solidity. A stone building has a presence, which is why the material has been used to construct many of our symbolic and/or monumental cathedrals, castles and civic buildings. In Ancient Egypt the Great Pyramids of Giza (c.2560 BC) were constructed from layers of stone. Here, stone was used to create monumental structures that signified power, authority and longevity. The Parthenon in Greece is one of the most significant structures in Europe. Built initially as a temple dedicated to Athena, it was later used as a Christian church and then a mosque. It now houses a museum detailing how the structure has adapted to its changing functions over the years. The Parthenon was built under the general supervision of the sculptor Phidias. Construction began in 447 BC, and the building was substantially completed by 432 BC, but work on the decorations continued until at least 431 BC. Some of the financial accounts for the Parthenon survive and show that the largest single expense was transporting the stone from Mount Pentelicus, about 16 kilometres from Athens, to the Acropolis. One of the great advantages of stone buildings is that they have survived the ravages of time and allow us to learn from architects past. In Europe the most dramatic and impressive architecture is made of durable stone. Stone buildings today remain synonymous with an idea of permanence, quality and solidity, and this suggests a connection between the architectural past, present and the future. Brick and stone Origins and chronology Project: Parthenon Location: Athens, Greece Architects: Iktinos and Kallikrates Date: c.447–432 BC The Parthenon is an icon of classical architecture. The structure comprises a series of columns, beams and walls that are all made from locally sourced stone and marble. Each of the Parthenon’s columns appear as if created from a single piece of stone, but they are actually constructed from a series of interlocking carved stone components that are held together with discreet iron clamps. TEXT BLACK (AVA): Basics Architecture C + M CD1008-172 / 3173 ~ 2nd Proof C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 3/11/09 5:46 PM Page 18
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Cultural and material context Of all the materials available to the architect,it is arguably the use of stone and brick that produces an architecture most closely associated with its geographical and cultural context.One reason for this is that historically stone would have been sourced near the construction site;small quarries where the material was extracted out of the ground have been found near many Neolithic settlements,for example. In their most basic form,structures can be created by carefully stacking stone pieces together in such a way that they complement one another and create an integrated mass (a dry stone wall is an example of this).More complex stone buildings use interlocking pieces that are carefully cut to create larger,more structurally efficient forms. Initially,stone was used in construction in its raw state,but as stonemasonry skills developed the surface became an opportunity for architectural expression.For example,the stone columns that support the temple of the Erechtheion in Athens,Greece,have been carved to create a series of caryatids.Similarly,cathedrals and places of worship often have symbolic figures carved into the stone so that they appear as part of the wall or building. As with stone,brick also belongs to its place of origin and Caryatids manufacture.Both are sourced from the earth and create A caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural their own material landscape.Bricks were first made from support(instead of a column or clay or mud that was first shaped and then baked in the pillar).The figure's head supports sun(see page 16),but with the introduction of kiln-firing, the building's entablature. a manufactured,industrially processed material that was Some of the earliest known examples were found in the much more associated with utilitarian buildings,factories treasuries of Delphi,dating to and houses was produced. about the sixth century BC.The best-known examples are the six Bricks are easy to handle and laid using a modular system figures of the Caryatid Porch of As such,structures built from bricks can be assembled the Erechtheion on the Acropolis at Athens (pictured).One of those fairly swiftly and easily.However,this should not imply that original six figures,removed by brickwork produces 'plain'architecture as there is a language Lord Elgin in the early 1800s, of expression when brick is used in buildings. is now in the British Museum in London.The other five figures are in the Acropolis Museum,and have been replaced onsite by replicas
C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 10/4/08 11:10 AM Page 20 Cultural and material context Brick and stone Of all the materials available to the architect, it is arguably the use of stone and brick that produces an architecture most closely associated with its geographical and cultural context. One reason for this is that historically stone would have been sourced near the construction site; small quarries where the material was extracted out of the ground have been found near many Neolithic settlements, for example. In their most basic form, structures can be created by carefully stacking stone pieces together in such a way that they complement one another and create an integrated mass (a dry stone wall is an example of this). More complex stone buildings use interlocking pieces that are carefully cut to create larger, more structurally efficient forms. Initially, stone was used in construction in its raw state, but as stonemasonry skills developed the surface became an opportunity for architectural expression. For example, the stone columns that support the temple of the Erechtheion in Athens, Greece, have been carved to create a series of caryatids. Similarly, cathedrals and places of worship often have symbolic figures carved into the stone so that they appear as part of the wall or building. As with stone, brick also belongs to its place of origin and manufacture. Both are sourced from the earth and create their own material landscape. Bricks were first made from clay or mud that was first shaped and then baked in the sun (see page 16), but with the introduction of kiln-firing, a manufactured, industrially processed material that was much more associated with utilitarian buildings, factories and houses was produced. Bricks are easy to handle and laid using a modular system. As such, structures built from bricks can be assembled fairly swiftly and easily. However, this should not imply that brickwork produces ‘plain’ architecture as there is a language of expression when brick is used in buildings. Caryatids A caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support (instead of a column or pillar). The figure’s head supports the building’s entablature. Some of the earliest known examples were found in the treasuries of Delphi, dating to about the sixth century BC. The best-known examples are the six figures of the Caryatid Porch of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis at Athens (pictured). One of those original six figures, removed by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s, is now in the British Museum in London. The other five figures are in the Acropolis Museum, and have been replaced onsite by replicas. TEXT BLACK (AVA): Basics Architecture C + M CD1008-172 / 3173 ~ 2nd Proof C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 3/11/09 5:46 PM Page 20
20121 Both stone and bricks can be reused.Once extracted from Title:Compton Verney House the ground and cut,stone might be used to build a wall,but Location:Warwickshire,UK Architects:Stanton Williams after time the wall could be dismantled and the cut stone Architects could then be reused in another structure.Reclaimed bricks Date:1997 made in the Georgian or Victorian period are expensive Stanton Williams Architects were materials to use in construction today:there is a softness commissioned to extend an existing to the texture of the material due to age and the process of stately home into an arts venue.The manufacture is difficult to replicate using contemporary and building is carefully detailed and uses stone in a considered and subtle way mass manufacturing processes. to reinvent the existing architecture. The new spaces work in harmony with the existing ones,creating a fluid architectural promenade through the pue building for visitors
20 | 21 C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 10/4/08 11:10 AM Page 21 Title: Compton Verney House Location: Warwickshire, UK Architects: Stanton Williams Architects Date: 1997 Stanton Williams Architects were commissioned to extend an existing stately home into an arts venue. The building is carefully detailed and uses stone in a considered and subtle way to reinvent the existing architecture. The new spaces work in harmony with the existing ones, creating a fluid architectural promenade through the building for visitors. Origins and chronology › Cultural and material context › Application Both stone and bricks can be reused. Once extracted from the ground and cut, stone might be used to build a wall, but after time the wall could be dismantled and the cut stone could then be reused in another structure. Reclaimed bricks made in the Georgian or Victorian period are expensive materials to use in construction today: there is a softness to the texture of the material due to age and the process of manufacture is difficult to replicate using contemporary and mass manufacturing processes. TEXT BLACK (AVA): Basics Architecture C + M CD1008-10 / 3173 ~ 1st Proof C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 3/11/09 5:46 PM Page 21
Application Project:High House Location:Vaduz.Liechtenstein Architect:Hansjorg Goritz Date:2008 High House was the first new dedicated parliament building for Liechtenstein.The scheme comprises a main assembly and a series of offices,all of which are connected by a large open space. The buildings collectively use around one million bricks. Both stone and brick can be used in a range of architectural applications.As both materials have load- bearing potential to support their own weight(and more) they are used most effectively in constructing walls and for floor surfaces. Walls A brick wall requires standard components.For example, a foundation or footing will provide stability,and when openings are created(for doors or windows),the bricks above the aperture will need to be supported.Traditionally an arch was used as a self-supporting method of framing an opening;nowadays lintels serve the same purpose. Lintels may be concrete or steel and they may be expressed or hidden.A hidden lintel sits within the cavity of a wall and the bricks appear to be suspended from it
C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 10/4/08 11:10 AM Page 22 Brick and stone Application Both stone and brick can be used in a range of architectural applications. As both materials have loadbearing potential to support their own weight (and more) they are used most effectively in constructing walls and for floor surfaces. Walls A brick wall requires standard components. For example, a foundation or footing will provide stability, and when openings are created (for doors or windows), the bricks above the aperture will need to be supported. Traditionally an arch was used as a self-supporting method of framing an opening; nowadays lintels serve the same purpose. Lintels may be concrete or steel and they may be expressed or hidden. A hidden lintel sits within the cavity of a wall and the bricks appear to be suspended from it. Project: High House Location: Vaduz, Liechtenstein Architect: Hansjörg Göritz Date: 2008 High House was the first new dedicated parliament building for Liechtenstein. The scheme comprises a main assembly and a series of offices, all of which are connected by a large open space. The buildings collectively use around one million bricks. TEXT BLACK (AVA): Basics Architecture C + M CD1008-10 / 3173 ~ 1st Proof C+M chapter 1 (12-39)_.qxd 3/11/09 5:46 PM Page 22