History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture - Assignment Example

History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture The Capitol building in Florida The Capitol building in Florida is among those enlisted as an architecturally and historically notable building by the National Register of Historic Places. The Capitol building started its construction in 1845 and later faced demolition in the late 1970, after the construction of the new capitol building. However, it received several renovations, restoring it to its 1902 version, giving it several functions as it used to host. It houses several spaces, including the governor’s office, supreme courts, senate and house of representative chambers among others (Wilkinson 2012, p. 65). It also has several halls and rotunda among other functions. Moreover, the museum in the building that displays the political history of the state completes the functions of the building, leading to its incorporation in the list of Florida notable Architecture. The architectural highlights of the Old Capitol building that present a statement of culture and image in display within the state of Florida include the incorporation of the glass dome. This glass dome represents elaborate art in display within architecture work. Additionally, the painting of the building, which includes red and white strips of awning over the building’s entry columns, represents the seal of Florida State. These are symbols of the functionality of this old building as the symbol of authority within the state (Wilkinson 2012, p. 81). Additionally, the interior of the building presents a beautiful encryption of art furnishing the walls. The imagery and representation of beautifully curved walls in the inside incorporated with the thematic color of the building complete the monumental aspect of art and imagery in display within the architecture of the building. The capitol building presents rich history of the state of Florida. The expansion of the building in 10902 after the renovations saw the inclusion of two wings to the building. Refurbished with modern 20th century touch, the building continued to serve the growing population of Florida officials. The radical illumination of the building from the entries through to the rooms and halls represents the cultural statement of the impact and usability of the building. It represents the rich influence of art and imagery in representing an artistically design architecture in reality through building. The sliding doors, with their original brass handles and paint and paper on the walls complete a pattern of ambiance within the building. Salt Lake Temple in United States After few days of arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, President Brigham Young designated the site for construction of the Salt Lake Temple. He struck the ground with his cane, setting the journey to the establishment of a long-standing historical and architectural defining building. The architects of the building were Truman O. Angell Sr. and his equally able assistant William Ward who brought his skills from England training. They brought wood joining and stone construction techniques respectively to the drafting of the plans of the temple building. The temple construction began with establishing of a fourteen-foot wall built with sandstone and adobe to encompass the temple block (Butler-Palmer 2013, p. 68). Thus, from a far, the architecture of the building commands recognition from the image and structure of the outside wall. The construction of the temple building applied the best building materials they could find on the mountains of North America. Thus, the exquisite beauty of the building emanates from the exclusive quality of the building material used. The building of the 170-rooms Temple started in 1853. It took 40 years, ending in 1893. The construction of the building took donations of time, skill and materials from its pioneers in the midst of the wilderness. The artisans came from far, such including England, Scotland and eastern United States. The features of the temple building that earn it a commanding appearance of architecture in action include that it has walls that have a thickness of 9 feet at the base and 6 feet at the top. Thus, this aspect of the wall gives it immense strength enabling it to withstand the weight and pressures of aging. The granite blocks used weighed between 2500 to 5600 pounds, and came from a quarry of granite located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, about 20 miles to the southeastern side of the Temple (Salt Lake City 2012, p. 41). The granite spires tower majestically over the city and continues to endure as an image of the community. It bears historical significance, as well as, art and skill in the construction industry. The appearance of the building from far distance is as though it is a castle, with several towers lit well appearing on top of the building. It also consists of beautifully decorated walls, with the use of ornaments for the beatification of the walls (Butler-Palmer 2013, p. 23). Additionally, it has a glaring appearance, indicating the expertise used in its construction. This architecture in form represents the willingness and volunteering of the people constructing it. Additionally, it facilitates the people with identification of 19th century architecture in display. Image of salt lake temple < http://beggarsbread.org/2012/09/> The Rathaus in Hamburg, Germany The magnificent building of Rathaus hosts the senate of the city and parliament, in addition to several other hall, services and offices. Thus, with its space, it is a significantly influential building within Hamburg. However, its functions do not give it recognition as a heritage of the city; rather its impressive architecture that makes it dominates the centre of the city earns it the recognition. The erection of the structure started in 1886 and ended in 1897, after the initial town hall of Hamburg burnt to the ground in 1942. The building inaugurated in 1989 consists of 647 rooms and spans covering an area of 50,000 square feet. The Rathaus designing took seven architects to complete the plan. The building presents a historic neo-renaissance style, contributing significantly into the aesthetic and historical influence of the building (Polak-Springer 2012, p. 507). During the world war, some of the sections of the building, including the imposing clock tower suffered the destruction of World War II. However, the restoration plans restored the building, conserving the artistic and monumental heritage of the building. The construction used sandstone bricks to erect the stout walls of the building. The external engravings also include statues of historical figures among other symbols of leadership and cultural heritage of Germany (Baus & Braum 2009, p. 57). Thus, the inclusion of these features and images on the walls and within the site of the building presents its influence in the maintenance and continuation of the history and traditions of Germany. Moreover, the beauty of the walls also emanates from the strength and durability of material entailed in constructing this building. It is among the oldest and still in use buildings in Germany, showing the strength of its foundation and construction. The entry into the building via the main gate presents the artistic use of image in the finishing of the architectural establishment of Hamburg. The first observation is a vast pillared hall, which gives the space an appearance of strongly founded building. These pillars present a statement on the durability of the building (Aaslestad 2005, p. 385). Additionally, this space allows the visitors into the building to have a view of the interior of the building that is only available from this position. Additionally, the ceilings in the building consist of coffers making the art appear historically old. There are glittering chandeliers and tapestries within the building enhancing the beautiful appearance of the interior of this monumental establishment. Additionally, there are several portraits within the building and on the walls of the building. All this use of images and art in the architecture of the house; in addition to displaying the aesthetic aspect of the building, it also adds to show the immense wealth of culture among other things of the city in the 19th century. The aspects of beauty and imagery also make a statement on the status of the Rathaus as an object of civic pride. Image of the Rathaus in Hamburg, Germany > The Toronto City Hall The conception of the idea to establish the construction of the New Toronto City Hall came when the insufficiency of space of the Old City Hall constructed in 1889 to 1899 period. Thus, its purpose was to institute a building that would accommodate the rapidly expanding officials’ population of the city (Toronto 2013, p. 45). The New City Hall of Toronto is at the 100 Queen Street West, on a piece of land measuring 12 acres. Additionally the building consists of four distinct elements; there is a podium, the council chamber, two towers for offices and a civic square. It was the initial building serving as City Hall of Toronto to incorporate the tradition of a town square; thus, from the onset of the building, it is a culturally preserving a piece of architecture. The walls of the building are of sublime concrete instead of the usual Victorian brick used in most famous buildings. This use of sublime concrete gives it a natural appearance that speaks of heritage and conservativeness in the 19th century technique of building, in utter defiance to the 20th century associated with the Victorian brick era (Rybczynski 2013, p. 67). The exterior design of the four chambers introduces an artistic statement of the use of shapes in designing the building. These features include the two-story design of the podium, which facilitates the public area and government offices on the first and second floors respectively. The art begins with the council chamber as it has an appearance as though it is floating above the podium. The council chamber has a low domed, saucer-shaped structure. The office towers have a crescent shape. This utilization of uncommonly used shapes in architecture gives the building an aesthetic value making it among the most visually pleasing buildings and city halls across the globe. The exterior walls of the front face of the tower have a reinforcement of solid concrete while the other face has concave steel and glass curtain walls. This exemplification of art in architecture enhances the quality of beauty associated with the city of Toronto. Thus, art in architecture in this construction represents the historic conservation and posterity of the trait of beauty of the city of Toronto. The component of Public Square in the building is a civic statement made through architecture. The square has a pool with elevated colonnaded walking way. The purpose of this square is a public space for all gatherings. This factor of the beauty and conservation of history of the building earned it a place in the listings of heritage property as the Ontario Heritage Act allows (Toronto 2013, p. 21). The entrance into the hall has a grand door opening, with a mosaic floor patterned in various beautiful patterns. The interior of the chambers has an ambiance of the 19th century art in architecture. However, its incorporation of modernism in the massive tower face revealed a civic surprise, presenting uniquely identifiable beauty and art in the building. Lastly, the building also incorporates aspects of art and architecture from Finland in modern Toronto. It presents privileged craft and innovation in graphic forms within the interior of the building. Thus, in view of this exquisite building in Toronto, it presents a masterpiece of combination of modern and traditional architecture in display. A scene of The Toronto City hall Toronto’s old city hall schematic view> The Louise C. Murdock Theatre The construction of the Louise C. Murdock Theatre building was an addition to the Victorian era 20th Century Center building in 1931. The naming of the theatre building was in honor of the prominent local figure and founder of the club Louise Murdock. At its construction, the theater served several functions, including that of being an arts center and a hall for holding lectures. Over the years, the theatre building continues to undergo a series of renovations. However, in spite of these renovations, there is always great care to ensure the preservation of the historic integrity of the building (Geberson 2011, p. 78). The building cost about $50,000 only to establish to its completion. This is an astounding quantity in contrast to the economies and costs of establishing such a building today. However, the architecture of the building earns it a position of recognition in the historical account of beautiful and well-thought design of the building. The construction of the club stemmed from the Colonial Revival house, built in the 1890s. The initialization of the building renovation saw the introduction of an additional building behind the house to add room for the growing membership of the 20th Century Club members. This later served as a connection to the club building completed in 1931. The design of the building incorporates a Spanish flair, with a significantly notable influence of Spanish art and culture (Gliendinning 2013, p. 85). The exterior of the building is pleasingly artistic, decorated using that Spanish flair. This is a cultural statement of the building as it applied the influence of culture on architecture. The image also presents the film and arts theme, which was the purpose of establishing the building. Thus, the symbolic Spanish culture touch is a statement of the future use of the building. At the doorway of the house is a symphony of simplicity, with a scheme color of natural walls of stone. This theme scheme of natural stone color presents the integration of nature into the architecture of the building. Additionally, from the interior also hails rusty-red and pearl gray curtains, perfectly blended to initiate a sense of originality in the building design. This artistic incorporation of naturalism in the architecture is a representation of the lasting effect of the building over the years. The image presented in the architecture of the building represents the touch of entertainment and culture, which are historical and lasting over years. The usability of the building to date, irrespective of the renovations, still allows it to maintain its historical presence even in the midst of existing and rising modern theatre buildings. 20th century Louise C. Murdock Theatre < > Bibliography Rybczynski, W 2013, ‘ IDEAS IN ARCHITECTURE’, Yale Review, 101, 4, p. 1, Publisher Provided Full TEext Searching File, EBSCOhost, viewd 12 march 2014 “Toronto.” 2013, Credo Conference Collections, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 March 2014 Polak-Springer, P2012, “ Landscapes of Revanchism: Building and the Contestation of Space in an Industrial Polish-German Borderland, 1922-1945”. 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New York N.Y.: Discovery eBooks, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 March 2014 Butler-Palmer, C 2013, ‘Buildings Autonomy’, Buildings & Landscapes, 20, 1, p 69, PUBLSIHER Provided Full Text searching File, EBSCOhost viewed 12 March 2014 William Peters Hepburn, ( 1833-1916) & Joint Commision on the Constrcution and Development of the U.S. Capitol Building and Grounds, J 1904, ‘Documentary history of U.S. Capitol building and grounds’, p. 1413 p, LexisNexis U.S. Serial Set Digital Collection, EBSCOhost, viewed 12 March 2014 Read More