Parts:Whole (Opus #4)

 

Archetype/prototype/hybrid

Archetype/Prototype/Hybrid represents certain pieces in the history of architecture that influence the changes in the design cycle. An archetype stands as an ideal, or the perfection wished to be achieved. The prototype is “what gets you there”, or helps you achieve the archetype, and the Hybrid is what comes next. A prime example of this phrase would be the coliseum in Rome, Italy. It consists of four levels built in a semi circle on a foundation ring of concrete. Each level displays a different column order, representing the archetype, prototype, and hybrid. The column order, starting with Doric, and then ranging through Ionic, and Corinthian, is demonstrated throughout the entire composition of the coliseum on each level. “As in the Theater of Marcellus, the stone arcades incorporated engaged columns – unfluted Doric on the ground floor, then Ionic, Corinthian, and finally Corinthian pilasters on the uppermost, fourth story” (Roth 267) Roth further explains this organization and use of all the column orders in one building. It effectively shows how one archetype, or ideal, is sought, and how each iteration stands as a prototype for the next, which soon becomes the Hybrid. 

Source

There are many different versions of sources - light sources, influential/historical sources, water sources, etc. Water sources played a large role in the lives of the people of Egypt, as well as the Greeks and the Romans. The Egyptians relied on the Nile River as a source for trade and clean water, just as the Greeks relied on the seas and waterways that surrounded their general location and as the Romans relied on their invention of the aqueducts. “As in Egypt, where the river and desert encouraged a particularly static culture, so too in Greece a specific geography and climate influenced culture…” (Roth 215) Not only does the geography of a place act as a source for water and trade, but light can act as a very important source in drawings, sketches, and other visual elements. As in Suzanne’s class over the last week or so, we’ve been working to improve our watercolor skills. To aid our attempts, she suggested trying to locate a light source and work off the shadows and illumination of an object or space. “The light illuminating that environment is critical for the information we receive.” (Roth 85) It is a powerful element that helps an image become more active and vibrant, whilst enhancing our perception of the space.

Order

Order represents civility and organization within a composition or society. Order also demonstrates some sort of progression, advancement, or evolution. The order of the Greek columns is a perfect example of such a progression and evolution. “The role of orders was significant in defining spaces of the Greek interior; not only did they divide spaces horizontally, but they were also instrumental in creating visual interest by the attention drawn to them vertically through decorative detail in the capitals and in the entablature. The classical orders consist of the column with its base, shaft, capital, and entablature, and are classified by the capital as Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, or Composite.” (Blakemore 28) Blakemore shows how this order was an important part of Greek Architecture and how it organizes the progression over time.

Hierarchy

Hierarchy is a series in which each element is graded or ranked. Hierarchy usually exalts one element over the rest of the composition, making it superior to another part of the whole. For example, in Athens, Greece, the Acropolis is designed in a way that effectively displays the differences in superiority throughout the city. Some buildings are made more prominent, creating the Hierarchy of that space. For example, the Parthenon was constructed as a temple for the Goddess Athena, and placed in a manner that it is clearly viewable as the most important structure on the Acropolis. Next in the order of hierarchy comes the Erechtheion. It is positioned to direct the eye to the Parthenon yet still bring glory to its uniqueness as well. This continues on with each building on the Acropolis, establishing an explicit hierarchy through the entire space. 

Another example of Hierarchy that I’ve encountered this week is in my studio class. We were given three words and certain restrictions on materials but had to construct a 3D model conveying those words. One of the words I was assigned was hierarchy and I was able to effectively portray this by celebrating the smaller square in a manner that elevated it and yet still unified the composition together.

 

As I talked to a fourth year student about my three models, she suggested that another one of my models could also effectively portray this theme. The image below shows the progression of light to darkness well, whilst still drawing the eye upward to an important moment where my forms meet my linear object. 

Entourage

An entourage as we’ve seen over the last week is the background or environment of a person or thing. They are often found in vignettes, helping to frame or enhance a focal point of a scene. Places and things are often defined by their location or surroundings, or in this case, entourage. Rome is an example of such a place shaped by its entourage. “Foremost among these influences were geographic position, conquests, technology, priorities in social life, and religion.” (Blakemore 45) The Romans basically ignored nature, and were it in their way, they acted as though they controlled it and that it wasn’t a hindrance. By shaping their environment to fit them, they are defining their own entourage and designing around the natural elements. Entourages also occurred in the thumbnails of our assigned buildings for Suzanne. We were to sketch the building, paying close attention to the surroundings as well as details in the focal point.