Ancient Rome

Inspired by Greece, Rome art and design came about in around 753 B.C.E. Although much of Romes designs were inspired by Greece, they took that design period and moved into a new direction. While Greece had the invention of the columns and post-and-lintel, the Romans discovered the arch. Rome can also be noted for a new material, concrete. Throughout this period we see the creation of many breathe taking environments:the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

The Colosseum can be compared to a sports arena. It was constructed of concrete and stone, and used the arch and barrel vault. The Colosseum held at least 50,000 seats for gladiator fights and other cultural events.

The Pantheon, which was one of Romes"greatest geographic expanse". The temple faces north and a standard front that gives no indication of the shape of the building behind it, which was a round temple with a dome. The doors are amazing and still to today the original bronze doors and there. Much detail was put into this structure and each design element works together, to create a beautiful structure that is still being seen today.

Ancient Rome is also known for its designs of residential dwellings. Similar to Greek, Roman houses were located at the center of the courtyard. There were three styles of residential dwellings: Insula, Domus, and Villa.

More elaborate then Greek furniture, Roman furniture included tables, beds, chairs, and stools. The couch was Romes masterpiece and was used as a bed for sleeping. Material such as wood, metal and stone.

Learning about Ancient Rome was enjoyable and comparing it to previous periods was interesting to see how everything evolved over time.

Current Application:

After learning about Ancient Rome, I can definitely see the comparison to today. With the invention of the couch which is our modern day bed, the Roman period is were we see today's foot and headboard. We also see acres used in numerous ways today. 

Video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61BZ-O9Wuo

This video I watched gave a great depiction of Ancient Rome. They go through Rome as a whole and show great visuals, of the culture and the different aspects of Rome. 

Ancient Greek

The history of Greece was an amazing one. There was multiple periods such as the Bronze Age(3000-1000B.C.E), the Minoan Period(3000-1400B.C.E.), and the Mycenean Civilization(1600-1100B.C.E). The Mycenaean which was the mainland and the Minoan Crete were ancient to ancient Greece.The most important structure throughout these periods was the palace. 

The Palace of Knossos was the most important palace on Crete. 

The mainland where civilization took place was known as the Mycenae. One interesting element of Ancient Greece was the columns. Columns were inverted and distinctive to this civilization. Some characteristics of Greece included their amazing temples. "The development of the Greek temple was another way of forging a common identity".

Temple of Hera

Three styles of columns were included in the temple structure, the Doric, Ionic, and the Corinthian. 

Greek domestic of Greece interiors and decorations were beautiful. These interiors included plastered and painted floors, which consisted of mosaic techniques (pebbles, glass, stone). Walls were also plastered with mud bricks.

Furniture throughout this period included materials such as leather and cords. Inlay was gold, ivory and gems. Copper, bronze, iron, and wood was also materials used. Seat furniture included thronos, klismos, kline, and diphros. 

I really enjoyed studying this period because of the different shapes and patterns that are seen throughout the exterior and interior of the structures. 

 Current Application:

Video!

http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/ancient-greece

This video gives a great depiction of ancient Greece.

Ancient Egypt

Egyptian history can be characterized by its colorful traits and impressive monuments. The period of the Egyptians was divided into three different periods, the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. Egypt was the center of the Niles and it made it easier for them to gather large amounts of stone. Due to there abundance of stone and their strong centralized power, Egyptians monumental architecture had many achievements.

Around 5200 B.C.E, Egyptians started practicing agriculture. They formed small villages where many items were discovered such as: flint blades, grain pits and animal bones.

As stated before the Egyptian period was divided into multiple monuments. The Old Kingdom which was the age of pyramid.

The Middle Kingdom was the period where pharaohs paid more attention to building and outfitting the great Pylon temples. 

The New Kingdom was "the age of Egyptian art and architecture, an age of prosperity and considerable architectural and achievements."

There was many materials used throughout this period such as: the lotus blossoms, papyrus reeds, mud, brick, wood and stone.

While reviewing Ancient Egypt, I find their floor plans such as the craftsman's residence and country villa very interesting because of the way that laid everything out.  

Egypt Interior Architecture and Decoration can be characterized by its hierarchical status, its plaster and mural paintings. They also can be characterized by their columns which were made of sandstone. Their flooring was made of mud plaster or brick with subdued colors. Their walls were applied with plaster to mud or brick, they painted on wet plaster. Also they they used more intense colors. Some other elements of Egypts' interior were their crowned cornice doors and their openwork screen windows. 

Egypt furniture was influenced by religion and familiar objects. Furniture pieces included seating (stools, chairs, mortise/tenon joints, dovetail joints, and dowels), tables, beds, storage pieces and decorative artifacts. 

After reviewing and researching Ancient Egypt, I was interested in comparing it to modern times.

Peer Review!

I read Alexandra and Emma blogs. I really enjoyed how they both described and broke down, the different aspects of Ancient Egypt. Their descriptions were detailed and very easy to understand. 

Video!

http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/ancient-egypt

Prehistoric

"Prehistoric refers to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it can be refer to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing."

Throughout the prehistoric period included styles of antiquity, which included Egypt and Greece, to name a few. We see many influences on primitive homes, such as the Arctic regions which included the igloo, and the Sahara desert which included Matmata underground homes.

I really enjoy studying this period because of the creativity seen throughout. From the caves and huts, to the pattern and designs seen throughout. The individuals who were in this period used much thought to create some very unique environments. 

Furniture was rarely used and materials were mainly stone and wood for its durability. The pattern and designs depicted consisted of weaving and patterns that were strictly ornamental. There was much thought that went into colors, patterns, and design, to represent their society, tribal latalities and religion. 

Current applications: 

This reminded me of the Skara Brae we used in class because in many ways it was based of the idea of family and community. In this image we see the use of a stone fire place with basketweave chairs.

Similar to the igloo from the Artic region, this home gives a igloo from from its shape and design.

The use of stone and wood throughout this interior is similar to the materials the prehistoric period used. In this image we also see the use of the post and lintel.

Overall I really enjoyed learning the background of the prehistoric period!

Post Modernism/Deconstruction/Contemporary

Known by its many names, this period of style replaced the International Style. The post modernism was a period that allowed for countries to share different different design styles easier. There was multiple influential individuals who played a huge role in the post modernism period. One being Louis I. Kahn, who expressed concern on the relationship between materials and light. Another architect Cesar Pelli, who designed some of the worlds tallest buildings. As the profession developed so did technology. New technology was one of the main components of modern design, it including finishes/materials such as steel, concrete, and glass. Design based on technology is known as Hi Tech. Professionals such as Richard Buckminister Fuller, Charles Eames, Renzo/ Richard Rogers, Norman Foster, James Stirling, and Robert Venturi played a great role in Hi-Tech design.

Cambridge University 

James Stirling 

Richard Buckminster Fuller 

Norman Foster

Alot of this period dealt with looking at its environment/surroundings and designing from there. The New York Five was a group of architects that used white throughout all their works. These five architects included Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, John Hejduk and Richard Meier. 

Another design style that used "broken up, loosely assembled parts and elements that were seemingly torn apart and reassembled in chaos was known as the deconstructivism period. 

These periods eventually lead to LEED design and making buildings LEED certified.Which hopefully I will be able to form a group and start studying for it soon. 

I really enjoyed looking at this period of design because it relates so similar to what we see today. 

Peer Discussion 

I read Katie's Blog and I enjoyed how she related this period so much to Normal, and I was able to relate and know that I have seen all of these buildings around. I also read Allison's Blog and enjoyed how she explained the contemporary design period.

Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlVseOWToL4

I think that this video depicted what LEED is about and showed how design has changed so much and the new things that have been created to develop this profession as a whole.

Rise of the Decorator

During the Art Deco period the Rise of the Profession of a Decorator began in Paris. The Rise of the Decorator included the theory of functionalists. This period helped out the interiors of individuals who were wealthy and wanted their houses to reflect their status. There were three main designers of many in this movement Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, and Billy Baldwin.

Pearls of Wisdom

Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe started her career off as an actress and redirected her career plans as an interior designer. She revamped the Victorian interiors and made them into bright spaces while using French furniture. The separation between interior designer and an architect was distinguished. 

Lady of the Moment 

Elsie de Wolfe

Dorothy Draper 

Dorothy Draper whose work is still used as inspiration today was an excellent interior design. She combined traditional and non-traditional furniture. She had a very fun and aesthetics that I enjoyed in all of her interiors. 

Billy Baldwin not only designed for the middle class but he also designed for famous clients. He believed that "Nothing was interesting unless it is personal". 

Billy Baldwin

I really enjoyed looking at the Rise of the Decorator period. It was very interesting to look at. 

Current Applications:

We see the use of bright colors and details throughout this interior. 

Peer discussion!

I reviewed Paige S blog, it was very interesting to see the chairs that she included that went alone with the rise of the decorator period. I enjoyed how she also connected those chairs to her current application chairs. I also reviewed Nichole K. blog on Modernism part 2., I enjoyed her current application images and how they related so well to the period. 

Video! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7_cycJBTPg