A source can be defined as “One, such as a person or document, that supplies information”. I believe that structures can be sources. For example, Trajan Markets use Arches and columns as a form of celebration and victory in a place of political gathering. Columns such as Trajan’s column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius serve as sources because they tell a story of triumph.
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Trajan's Column, Rome
Archetype : prototype : hybrid
In Greece, architecture was all about trying to achieve ideals. The most common example of the Greeks’ attempt at perfection is the Parthenon, the temple built for Athena. Also, we think of columns in terms of archetype, prototype, and hybrid. The orders of columns “are classified by the capital as Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, or Composite”(Blakemore 28). Each column serves as a prototype for its successor.
Today, we follow in the footsteps of the Ancient Greeks by basing our own creations on archetype, prototype and hybrid. For example, we make several iterations of a project before even beginning the final one; the hybrid.
Entourage
When I think of entourage, I think of a concentrated focus on surroundings. In reference to Greek architecture, temples were used as a worship place for priests, and a place of storage for wealth. By looking at temple plans, we can see that over time columns became an entourage for the hearth of the Greek temple. The best example is the Parthenon, with its overuse of Doric and Ionic orders. It has “eight columns across the ends (when six was more traditional),”(Roth 237) which aids in the appearance of grandeur.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy was very important in Greek architecture. We can look at the Acropolis in Athens to see how more important gods were honored in Architecture. “Set high on a limestone plateau rising from the plain of Argos and surrounded by massive cyclopean walls 20 feet thick, the city is approached by a ramp on the east side. Attackers would have been forced to approach along the eat will with their right side—the side not protected by a shield—exposed to bowmen on the parapets.” (Roth 218). The Acropolis was designed to tower and intimidate. The buildings of the Acropolis consist of the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon, which was built for Athena, was considered ideal and was the largest and most important. It served as the hearth of the Acropolis. The Erechtheion was purposely less perfect than the Parthenon. It was designed to be particularly architecturally dissimilar to the Parthenon and encapsulate the past. The temple of Athena Nike was designed as a contrast to the Parthenon with its small stature. It serves as “the exclamation point” of the acropolis.
Hierarchy is also important in drafting. We use a variance of line weights to communicate things such as proximity, thickness, and unseen features.
Order
Order can be defined as “the disposition of things following one after another, as in space or time; succession or sequence”. We study the order of Greek columns to understand the transition from ideals, to ends, to improvements. “The Greeks had an innate love of logic (logos) meaning reason, idea, conception, or word” (Roth 220).
The transition of columns over time is highly recognizable, as the Greeks continued to improve on their designs; then the Romans adopted these styles. The Romans used Greek column orders in one of the most notable structures in history: The Roman Colosseum. “The interrelatedness of the influencing factors illustrates the dependence of Roman arts on the cultures of the other races. At the same time advances in technology (materials and construction techniques allowed the Romans to attain innovations in spatial features which exceeded those cultures represented in their conquest.” (Blakemore 47). The Colosseum displayed the main three column orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Yet they were modified to Pilaster, or half columns for decoration. Overall, we see that order is imperative to the progression of architecture.
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“Classical Greek and Roman architecture has had an astounding influence both structurally and decoratively in subsequent periods […]” (Blakemore 28). This week, Greek Architecture was discussed as a major foundation for modern Architecture. We learned how progression allows for the evolution of design through archetypes (ideals), prototypes (iterations), and hybrids (improvements). We also learned how entourage and hierarchy allow for a compilation of many design concepts to create an effective system.
Works Cited
Clark, J, I (2004). Archaeology - Roman Sites. Retrieved February 18, 2009, from dragonhaven.plus.com Web site: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dragonhaven.plus.com/archaeology/Rome/Trajan
2002-2006). Architectural Columns. Retrieved February 18, 2009, from First Class Building Products Web site: http://www.firstclassbp.com/Web_FirstClassbp/Products/Site%20Map/sitemap.htm
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