Impression
Everyone has had many first impressions, whether with people or with a space, the first impression is said to be the most influential. When it comes to the scale, décor, and so forth of a space, it is to guide us into how we are to be impressed by it. Roth states pg. 301, “The Gothic church…stood for the Heavenly City of Jerusalem…[and] was a monument that seems to dwarf the man who enters it, for space, light, structure, and the plastic effects of masonry are organized to produce a visionary in the parts, … and no standard relationship between solid and void.” Roth wants us to realize the importance of human scale incorporated with large-scale buildings. It is important that even in enormous cathedrals across the world that are nestled amongst tiny homes, should still have an aspect of human scale to help with the personal experience. In drawing class, Suzanne made a point that the Eiffel Tower is a great example of human scale incorporated amongst the large structure itself. The gift shops at the base and entry allow humans to feel as though they belong and are meant to interact with the space. This idea of human interaction and space gives the impression of how we are to experience an area. Doorways, entries, exits, scale of spaces and how they are decorated and designed are all apart of the initial impression of a space.
Porch:Court:Hearth
When we enter a space, there is always a porch, court and a hearth. Amongst the composition of a space, there are parts that make up the whole. The porch serves as an entry or area of entertainment, such as a foyer or living room. The court is the kitchen or side area. The hearth is a seating space for conversation and meeting. These areas are shown in plan views of historical and current spaces. Blakemore speaks on one of these areas, re-named the porch for parlor and where it leads into the house on pg. 72, “The origin of the parlor is uncertain, but it is known that early in the Middle Ages these spaces were part of the monastic dwelling; documentary evidence points to secular use of the parlor by the latter part of the 14th century. At Haddon Hall it was placed adjacent to the all as an informal space.” This quote suggests that the parlors were viewed differently through time and were considered a more informal space. However, they do share the commonality in that they are used for gathering purposes.
Diagram
Planning or diagramming is important in designing a space before the building process or rendering a space after it is constructed in case changes need to be made later. Roth pg. 308, “With a trapezoid plan adjusted to the rock outcrop on which it sits, Harlech Castle has enormous drum towers at the corners and a twin-towered gatehouse.” This suggests that certain plans and diagrams are made to accommodate the area that the architecture is being placed on. There are many different angles and conditions on this Earth that architects are faced with daily and cause for many changes. Diagrams do not have to be plans in drafting, but can also be charts, graphs and “bubble-map-esque” drawing/sketches. There are many uses for these types of diagrams such as our current project in drawing class with our group assigned buildings. My particular portion was to create circulation throughout the interior and exterior of the building. I used two different colors to represent this idea of two different forms of traffic and an outsider is able to easily understand the purpose of this coloration. Diagrams are key to planning, observations and study.
Everyone has had many first impressions, whether with people or with a space, the first impression is said to be the most influential. When it comes to the scale, décor, and so forth of a space, it is to guide us into how we are to be impressed by it. Roth states pg. 301, “The Gothic church…stood for the Heavenly City of Jerusalem…[and] was a monument that seems to dwarf the man who enters it, for space, light, structure, and the plastic effects of masonry are organized to produce a visionary in the parts, … and no standard relationship between solid and void.” Roth wants us to realize the importance of human scale incorporated with large-scale buildings. It is important that even in enormous cathedrals across the world that are nestled amongst tiny homes, should still have an aspect of human scale to help with the personal experience. In drawing class, Suzanne made a point that the Eiffel Tower is a great example of human scale incorporated amongst the large structure itself. The gift shops at the base and entry allow humans to feel as though they belong and are meant to interact with the space. This idea of human interaction and space gives the impression of how we are to experience an area. Doorways, entries, exits, scale of spaces and how they are decorated and designed are all apart of the initial impression of a space.
This image depicts an entrance, where the first impression takes place. Also, throughout history, the doorway, depending on how expensive and detailed it is, shows ones economic standing.
Porch:Court:Hearth
When we enter a space, there is always a porch, court and a hearth. Amongst the composition of a space, there are parts that make up the whole. The porch serves as an entry or area of entertainment, such as a foyer or living room. The court is the kitchen or side area. The hearth is a seating space for conversation and meeting. These areas are shown in plan views of historical and current spaces. Blakemore speaks on one of these areas, re-named the porch for parlor and where it leads into the house on pg. 72, “The origin of the parlor is uncertain, but it is known that early in the Middle Ages these spaces were part of the monastic dwelling; documentary evidence points to secular use of the parlor by the latter part of the 14th century. At Haddon Hall it was placed adjacent to the all as an informal space.” This quote suggests that the parlors were viewed differently through time and were considered a more informal space. However, they do share the commonality in that they are used for gathering purposes.
Above is a modern version of a porch, court and hearth layout.
Diagram
Planning or diagramming is important in designing a space before the building process or rendering a space after it is constructed in case changes need to be made later. Roth pg. 308, “With a trapezoid plan adjusted to the rock outcrop on which it sits, Harlech Castle has enormous drum towers at the corners and a twin-towered gatehouse.” This suggests that certain plans and diagrams are made to accommodate the area that the architecture is being placed on. There are many different angles and conditions on this Earth that architects are faced with daily and cause for many changes. Diagrams do not have to be plans in drafting, but can also be charts, graphs and “bubble-map-esque” drawing/sketches. There are many uses for these types of diagrams such as our current project in drawing class with our group assigned buildings. My particular portion was to create circulation throughout the interior and exterior of the building. I used two different colors to represent this idea of two different forms of traffic and an outsider is able to easily understand the purpose of this coloration. Diagrams are key to planning, observations and study.
The Diagram is representative of a castle layout or diagram depicting the individual main rooms.
Details
Cathedrals are a prime example of detailing at its best in history. Every inch of some basilicas and cathedrals are full of etchings, carvings, extravagant statues and stone, marble and mosaics to decorate the entire space. There are interior and exterior details of all sorts. For example: full human scale statues of saints, curves and floral-esque designs around the interior ledges. There are floor to ceiling paintings and designs that have been made famous due to their great detail. In the early Middle Ages the economy was blossoming, which allowed for greater design. Roth pg. 305, “As improving economic conditions permitted more elaborate construction, the baileys adjacent to the keeps were also ringed with stone walls, and eventually the keep was pulled entirely inside the fortified perimeter, becoming the donjon, resulting in the walled, or mural castle typical of the twelfth century.” Blakemore also speaks on this idea of murals and designing floor to ceiling. Blakemore pg. 73, “The ceiling plane in the hall was the most prominent focal point of this space and which it was, in addition, the most decorative of the open trusses, the amount of attention it commanded was intensified.” These authors want us to see how beautiful architecture and detailing came about and a great deal was due to a strong and healthy economy, which wanted to accentuate their hefty bank accounts in their buildings.
The doorway above is very detailed and ornate [from the Blakemore text].
Composition
A piece that works as a whole is a composition. I have learned the importance of this idea of composing through music and words within a story of the years but never have I learned the idea of an artistic drawing working as a composition until my past year of studies. It is not just in drawing that composition applies, but also rather in pottery, architecture, layouts and more. Roth pg. 333, “…the Gothic cathedral was quickly standardized in its plan and basic components. There were, of course, distinctive regional variations….” [Continued] “…the cross-shaped plan was derived from Romanesque pilgrimage churches, with nave, side aisles, transept arms and crossing, and the chevet with ambulatory and radiating chapels enclosing a round-ended choir.” This idea of a cross-shape, arms, chevets and radiating chapels just makes the entire space come together in a glorious manner that gives off the sense of heaven and patient prayer; a true composition.
I drew Kristen Sylvia's juice glass during a class held in Room 204 last semester. I later went back and added watercolor once we learned the technique in drawing class and now, it is a full and composition.
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In conclusion, just as in macro and microeconomics, there are a lot of people and individuals that work in this world. In the A & D community, we need to be sensitive to all the unique needs of people and be accommodating in all respects. In history, there have been social needs and a need for increased scale, the idea of having a: porch, court and hearth, details and ultimately, planning for these spaces with diagrams. First, we must compose a space as a whole to be sure to have commodity, firmness and delight in every design. So, we can thank our historians and architectural giants for their immense time and craft of what are now ancient designs and works of architectural history. To have your impression influencing those of centuries past your time, is a beautiful lifetime achievement we should all strive for.
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