History of Architecture 2 Final
Qin Dynasty
(221-207 B.C.E.) The first dynasty to rule over a unified China. Founded at the end of warring states period. Ruled by Shi Huangdi.
Mingtang and Biyong Complex
100 BC Western Han Dynasty 4 dieties of the directions represented by colors white, azure, yellow, red. Sacrificial ritual called Zhi takes place. Biyong - Jade ring moat, ritual complex in the south of the city Mingtang - "Bright Hall" intersection of heaven(circle) and earth (square) Center is the sacred hall, the Mingtang. The site plan is a diagram of Chinese imperial philosophy. Structure was alligned with the mausoleum of Emperor Gaozu, founder of Han Dynasty. Calendar was regulated from the center, the conceptial center where the emperor is, who is symbollicaly the son of heaven.
Moche Civilization, Peru
100-800 CE Outstanding metal workers as well as potters and weavers.
Caitya Hall at Karli
120CE One of the largest and most impressive. 40m deep and 12m wide Recessed entrance of stone screens 15 columns on each side Fluted bell shaped capitals.
Mosaic Pavement - La Venta
15x20ft 3 Rectangular buried under layers of earth for offerings, not intended to be seen. Each consisting of 485 blocks of serpentine.
Han Dynasty
206 BCE - 220 CE. Came right after Qin dynasty. Abadoned Shi Huangdi's absolutism and more balanced philosophy of governance.
Development of Mahayana Buddhism
2nd Century CE. Spread by Ashoka's Mauryan Empire, allowed for institutional buildings for monastics.
Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan
2nd century CE, largest pyramid. Stairs on the other side.
Phases of Christian Architecture
300AD - 800AD - Early Christian + Byzantine 800AD - 1200 AD -Romanesque 1200 AD - 1500 AD - Gothic 1500 AD - 1800AD - Renaissance
Nazca Lines, Peru
300BCE-200CE Large relief works (carved lines in the desert ground) can only be read from the air. Discovered in 1920's when planes started to fly over Peru. Ritual ceremonies where participants would walk and dance along the lines.
Barabar hill Caves
4 caved consisting of two chambers each. Rectangular hall followed by a round room. Hemispheric ceiling. Highly polished internal surfaces Dedicated to Ashoka.
Colossal heads (Olmec)
4 massive heads, 9.4 feet high. Likely Olmec rulers, placed at various locations. Made of basalt stone. Soft, round and very lifelike unlike later civilization's angular and sharp figures.
Petra, Jordan
400 BCE-100 CE Rock cut architecture, towards west Asia Well developed water systems learned from Roman influence.
Teotihuacan
400BCE-200CE The first major metropolis in Mesoamerica believed to be the birth place of the gods. Astronomy based Religion. Site layout is indicative of Mesoamerican tradition of planning cities. Broad central avenue called Avenue of the Dead. Pyramid of Sun and Moon. Temple of feathered serpent. Surface of pyramids were colored red.
China: the waring states period
481-221 BCE Was being attacked a lot. Zhou cities were replaced by system of territorial states, under command of monarchs Height and verticality emphasized rulers authority, the ruler was all seeing yet invisible. Stepped terraced called Tai platforms surrounded all 4 sides by the wooden columns and beams of the palace. Primary Purpose of Defense: - Fortified existing walls - multiplied enclosures and barricades. - established satellite towns.
St. Hripsime
4th Century. Stepped stylobate. Dark ash colored tufa bonded on the interior. concrete like mortar. quatrefoil plan. niches in the cardinal direction.
Hagia Sophia
532-37ce. Byzantine, Massive dome. Translates to Sacred Wisdom Completely made of brick and stone. The vaults are lightweight and thing, made of brick.
Imperial Chinese architecture
5th Century 3 core elements include foundation platform, timber frame, decorative roof.
Basalt altars (Olmec)
7 Basalt altars used as thrones where rulers seated during rituals and gatherings. 2 meters high, twice the width.
Terracotta Army
8099 warriors and horses made out of clay are buried with Qin Shi Huangdi the first emperor. Varies in height with different faced and details showing different social/military statuses.
Hellenistic Architecture
A combination of Egyptian, Roman and Greek architecture. Usually found in colonies.
Early Christian Architecture: Atrium
A courtyard with colonnade surrounding it.
Early Christian Architecture: Mausoleum
A large monumental tomb mainly for distinguished or prominent individuals.
Neo-Assyrian Empire
A major Mesopotamian empire between 934-608 BCE. Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea. First to command the iron age army.
Copan, Honduras
An ancient Mayan city Mountain valley of the Copan river, western edge of Honduras. Main acropolis and five plazas Agglomerative mega complex.
Early Christian Architecture: Basilica
An original Roman courthouse turned into a long, narrow, rectangular Christian or Medieval church. Two or four aisles One or more vaulted apses Timber Roof 8 parts: - Propylaeum - Entrance - Atrium - Forecourt of Church - Narthex - Entrance Hall proceeding to nave - Nave - Central Long Space of Church - Side Aisle - Transept - Arms of the church - Apse - A square or circle dent space at end
Ritual Complex at Fengchu
Axially symmetrical arrangement of one story buildings. Elite assembled according to status in social heirarchy. Freestanding wall in front entrance to keep unwanted spirits from entering. Hall was positioned in central court and entered through gatehouse. Main construction was wood with bronze used for joints to bind and reinforce structural elements.
Kushans of Bamiyans
Bamiyan was the center of the 5th century Eurasian world, middle of contemporary Afghanistan. Large Buddhist monastery of hundreds of caves. Bamiyan Buddha's are two huge statues. Bodies were first cut directly from the stone and then molded with a mixture of mud and straw to create the folds of the robe, hands, and details of face. The drapery - suspending ropes from stone surface of upper body. Hellenistic character from outward expression and folds of the garment.
St. John's Lateran Church
Basilica of 5 aisles Nave with 2 aisles ending in semi circular apse in the west end. 2 storied portico.
Tikal, Guatemala
Begins 292BCE with 80k population. (Mayan) Houses of residents spread over 16km^2 area. High platform, organized around a courtyard. Built on a shed of hills between Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Central acropolis held royal courts and residences. Great plaza - giant stone platform Astronomy determined the location of the temples.
Varanasi, India
Buddha came to Varanasi in 6th Century, teachings and writing laid foundations of Buddhism. Known as city of temples.
Stupa
Buddhist shrine that is shaped like a dome or mound Chattis - top lotus figure Medhi - surrounding gate Vedika - Vertical frieze/niche Harmika - top gate thing Torano - entrance Anda - dome
Qin Shi Huangdi (First Emperor)
Built elevated walks to connect all 270 of his palaces and towers. Made a centralized bureaucracy and administration. - system of writing was centralized - single currency of copper coin with hole in the middle. - connected existing defense fortifications
Basilica of San Vitale
Byzantine Ravenna, Italy Known for intricate mosaic interior
Mauryan Dynasty
Capital city was Pataliputra where iron and copper could be mined. Brought India onto full contact with Greek and Persian culture. Empire stretched past the Himalayas. Shift from wood to stone architecture. (such as rock cut caved and monumental columns) Buddhism became the state religion.
Mogao Caves
Carved out cliffs on the western bank of Dunhuang river. Around 500 caves document Buddhism in China. Thousand of manuscripts and sutras held in the caves. Some are small niches for one monk Some have high ceilings, large enough for 100 monks. Covered in paintings describing the life of Buddha (Blue,Green,Red,Black,White,Gold) Short corridors from entrance hall to transverse chamber with simulated gabled roof.
Santa Constanza, Rome, 350
Centralized plan: building's elements are of equal dimensions around the center Early Christian Architecture
Babylon, Iraq
Ceremonial center of southern Mesopotamia. Nebuchadnezzar ruled between 604 and 562 BCE Started massive building projects. Ishtar Gate lead into Babylon. The Summer Palace was on the northern side of the city between the gate and Euphrates River.
Daming Palace, Chang'an
Chang'an 750CE had million residents. Constructed axially at head of the city Series of interconnected courts forming a 4 part complex. - Entry Square 500m^2 - Hanyuan Hall, front side of entry square, horizontal elongation of space. - Xuanzheng Hall, back or north of square - Northern third, emperors court, reception, residences etc.
Bronze Vessels
Chinese Shang and Zhou dynasty elaborate bronze artifacts placed on platforms used for religious rituals. Vessels indicated of power and authority. Eg. different types and the number of vessels used for different rank of people in ritual settings. - Gui Vessel - Zun Vessel - Ding Vessel Each for different purposes containing water, millet wine, and food.
Early Christian Architecture: Ornaments
Color gave richness. Fresco painting usually in figure forms. Mosaics was main form of interior design.
Byzantine Capitals
Composite and Ionic used in Hagia Sophia. Mixture emerged in the late Byzantine empire. The columns line the principle space of the nave. Nonclassical. Lush leaves appear to be caught up in the scrolls.
Byzantium
Constantine changed the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium in 324AD. Old roman political systems came to an end.
Persepolis, Iran
Darius designed his own capital city. Foundation contained complex drainage systems and water channels. North has a hall of hundred columns 70x70 meters. South has palaces of Darius and Council Halls. Apadana meaning castle in Persian is the largest building that served as the main reception hall. 72 fluted limestone columns 7 meter high with bull or lion capitals.
Basilica of St. Peter, Rome (Old)
Early Christian Architecture Oldest Christian Church Built in Rome above St. Peters tomb Latin Cross Gabled Roof Atrium known as the Garden of Paradise at the entrance with five doors. Double aisle on both sides.
Tomb of Theodoric the Great
Early Christian mausoleum dedicated to Theodoric the Great in Ravenna, Italy. Two decagonal orders one on top of another.
Basilica at Trier, Germany
Entirely Brick Rectangular Hall Two tiers of arched windows Hypocausts under the pavement heated the basilica like a thermal bath Roofed with wooden trusses, took the shape of an axial. The side walls rose on tall arches similar to those of an aqueduct.
Temple of Minerva
Etruscan Temple 510-500 BCE Influence of Greek architecture in the columns and capitals Deconstructed by Pope V for materials to build fountain (mistreatment
White Horse Temple, Luoyang
First Buddhist temple of China. Easter Han Dynasty Mahayana Buddhism was in China in 6th century CE. Han Emperor Ming-di invited Indian monks to translate scripture. Buddhist governed temples and monasteries while court operated on Confucian principles.
Stelae (Olmec)
Free standing stone erected for funery. Decorated with names and title of the deceased, usually rulers. Used as territorial markers.
Rock-cut tombs
Had to start from the top so that the discarded stones did not fall or damage new building elements. One horizontal layer had to be finished before below started, even interior spaces. Several are designed in the form of a impluvium.
Chinese Architecture: Timber Construction Technique
Han Dynasty Sophisticated joint system of only wood. Allowing multi-story buildings to appear Corbel brackets Different roof styles evolved. Elaborate joinery allowed resistance to earthquake because it allowed space for material expansion in humid weather and contraction in cold.
Tomb of Emperor Wudi
Han Dynasty tomb, considered a Maoling Mausoleum with earth over it, includes vaults.
Armenian Architecture
High-quality stone masonry. Buildings and techniques from the Greeks. Maintained classical Hellenistic tradition of clean surfaces, volumetric complexity. St. Gregory the Illuminator converted Armenia to Christianity.
Lomas Rishi Cave
Incomplete cave. Rock Cut architecture had long tradition in Egypt, Anatolia, Petra so the technique was most likely brought to India through Persia.
Indo-Aryans
Indo-European tribes that took over India in slow waves. Skilled use of Iron. By 1000BCE sixteen kingdoms and semi-republics called Mahajanapadas developed. By 500BCE 4 Main semi-republics, most dominant one was Magadha.
India
Indus Valley Civilization - 2500-1900 BCE Verdic Period, Indo-Aryans, encounter the Dravidian Indus Valley Civilization. Creation of caste system. Late Verdic Period (5th century BCE) - period of the Buddha Asoka - military conquest to unify India and spread of Buddhism. 600-1200 CE - mixture of contending kingdoms over India. 10th century - Muslim Invasions, south India remains Hindu 16th century - Mughal Empire, central asian warriors invade. 18th century - Colonialism 19th century - Establishment of direct British rule.
Ganges River
Located in India, this river is considered sacred to Hindus and is used for spiritual cleansing, funeral rites, and other Hindu rituals.
Tomb of the First Emperor
Located south of Xi'an Wall of mountains framing its southern views. Largest most costly tomb in history. Perimeter wall is 6 meters thick, rammed earth with second inner wall with 4 more gates 2 square kilometers Main entrance on the east. 8000 terracotta soldiers accompanying the emperor in death for his protection. Vault 1 - largest, 60x210 meters with 3k soldiers Vault 2 - Formations of Chariots and cavalry all turned east. Vault 3 - Headquarters of army, A commander with 68 officers.
Mahastupa at Sanchi
Main Large Stupa. Earthen hemispherical mound Faced with fire bricks Shallow Berm Exterior: shallow relief and medallions depicting events of Buddhist significance.
Anuradhapura
Major city in Sri Lanka that had 5 major stupas with its own monastic complex. Sri Lankan architects developed a new type of stupa with a wooden domed roof, also supported on stone columns.
Nakbe, Guatemala
Mayan civilization centered on the coastline of Guatemala. By 350 BCE centralized elite was able to control large labor populations whose rapid rate of production was aided by development of standardized construction modules. and faster stone cutting techniques. - Mirador Basin
Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan
Mirrors Cerro Gordo Mountains behind the pyramid. Axial ceremonial stair.
Xian Yang Palace
New palace projected into space as imposing 3 dimensional structures. - 60 meters long East to West - 45 meter wide - 6 meters high Earthen core, built around is rooms and coridoors on top another. 2 symmetrical wings underground pipes for drainage system for water.
Summer Palace, Babylon
Not Symmetrical Rectangular throne room in the middle. Court rooms to each side.
San Loreno
Olmec city
La Venta, Mexico
Olmec city 1200-300BCE Follows a north to south orientation, 8 degrees west of north, a little crooked. Built from earth and clay. Dominated by royal sacred area which is complex A that had restricted access to the elite. Included a plaza to the south.
Daoism
One of Imperial China's religious influence. Harmony through the study of nature Anti-Authoritarian Similar to Animism which is belief on forced of nature. Also believed in Ying-Yang and cycle life and death.
Great Pyramid, La Venta - Mesoamerica, Olmec - c. 800 BCE
One of the earliest pyramids in Mesoamerica. 33 meters high Originally rectangular with stepped sides and inset corners, current shape is from 2500 years of erosion. A mound and plaza are north, surrounded by a series of basalt columns, beneath is were a vast array of burial offerings.
Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat
Particularly important dedicated to the ritual of cremation.
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Ravenna, Italy Cruciform Floor Plan Central Dome Barrel Vaults over the four transepts
Sanchi Complex
Represented Mahayana Buddhism. Stupas started as a place to bury/store relics.
Ajanta Caves, India
Rock-cut caves in India that have frescos inspired by the Buddha upon their walls. 200-500 CE
Chaitya Halls
Rock-cut temple hall having a votive stupa at one end. Carved to imitate wood construction. Inward leaning columns. no horizontal beams. Sacred space for individual meditation.
Early Christian Architecture: Walls
Rubble or Concrete. Faced with plaster, brick or stone. Mosaic decor on the interior. Plain exterior.
Ashoka 272-231 BCE
Ruler that spread Buddhism through patronage of new temples and first built the diamond throne in Bodh Gaya to mark his enlightenment.
Early Christian Architecture: Latin Cross vs Greek Cross
Shape of the church Greek - plus sign Latin - arm of the entrance longer than others.
Ghats
Steps leading down to a river. Every ritual was performed here. Vedic rituals didn't require temples of statues but based on fire sacrifices and only need brick platforms.
Chinese Architecture: Ta
Ta is a tower, a Chinese version of a south Asian Stupa. Magnifies the vertical axis, the many stories display many levels of heaven. Buried relic kept at core. Not intended for human occupation. (Songyue Temple Ta is the oldest and largest surviving Ta, 40m high polygon, 12 sided with 15 levels of Bodhisattva)
Huaca del Sol
Temple of the Sun built by the Moche. Additive technique. Center of the capital city of Moche. For ritual and ceremonial activities, royal residence and burial for elite. 500 meters appart from Huaca de la Luna.
Huaca de la Luna
Temple of the moon built by the Moche. Smallest temple on the site with 3 main platforms, each serving different function. For administrative, military, residence and burial mound. Decorated in murals painted in black, yellow, red, blue and white.
Temple of Solomon, Jerusalem
Temple was destroyed by Babylonians in 586BCE After Moses' death, the Israelites entered Palestine and founded Jerusalem as their capital. Precise description of it in the Bible. Ethical monotheism is the basis of christianity and islam.
talud-tablero construction
The alternation of sloping (talud) and vertical (tablero) rubble layers, characteristics of Teotihuacan architecture in Mesoamerica Rectangular panel sits atop a sloping panel.
Zhou Dynasty
The longest lasting Chinese dynasty, during which the use of cast iron production was introduced as opposed to forged iron in the west, around 500 BCE. - Western Zhou 1046-771 BCE - Eastern Zhou 771-256 BCE Established the first imperial cities, two of which, Xi'an and Luoyang are still major urban centers today. Effort to civilizing agenda included enforcement of the use of Chinese Language. Followed "Mandate of Heaven" or Tianming which was the principle.
Early Christian Architecture: Baptistry
The part of a church used for baptism, Always circular or polygonal.
Early Christian Architecture
The period lasted from Constantine to Gregory the Great (604AD) Influenced by Roman ruins. Is transitional architecture, and doesn't have its own style of structure. Heat required small windows. Simplicity in design
impluvium
The sunken rectangular part of a Greek or Roman house designed to carry the rainwater out.
Early Christian Architecture: Opening
Timber roofs. Simple forms of construction Narrower side of aisles were occasionally vaulted. Apse was usually domed.
Khasheh Al Faroun, Petra
Tomb of Hellenistic style. Facade reveals a range of cultural influences. 30 meters high Massing and intercolumnation of Hellenistic temples. 12 columns, 6 top, 6 bottom Bottok longer than top, in perspective of a person looking up it looks proportionate. Capped with corinthian capitals Highly ornamented moldings and friezes Round tholos in the center
Early Christian Architecture: Columns
Used materials and ornaments from Pagan Romans. Differ in design and size.
Great Wall of China
Wall, over 6k miles built to keep invaders from the north out of China, started by the Qin Dynasty, expanded by the Han Dynasty. Border towns - varying in shape and size but small and defensible. Fortifications - small forts 50 to 150 square meters protected by moats and highwalls, served as military stations. Checkpoints - 2-3 story watchtowers placed everywhere the wall encountered intersection or was open to movement. Beacon Towers - watchtowers on platforms, lookouts that can spot approaching enemies placed 130 meters apart.
Chavin de Huantar, Peru
Well known ruin of the Chavin Era Located in the Andean highlands north of Lima, Peru. Elevated site. Old temple located next to sea, circular plaza, ceremonial plaza and New temple expansion. U shaped platform opening to the east with circular courtyard in the center. Numerous passageways and chambers underground, painted inside and outside. Sacred and ritually important ceremonial space. 21 diameter plaza, artificially sunken.
Early Christian Architecture: The House Church
When Christianity was not allowed in public, disciples of Jesus met together in an "upper room" of the house. Dura - one small room serving as a baptistry.
Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Zapotec City founded 500BC, new administrative center. South of Mexico, visible from anywhere. East to West orientation. Central Altar with impressive stairs leading up to south platform. High stairs due to belief that, closer to the sky means closer to the gods. Ballcourt: the game had ritual aspects often featuring human sacrifice but also used for casual games for everyones gathering. Religion was animalistic. 2 Calendars, one ritual, one solar. Social structure: nobility were descendants from ancestors, rest were commoners.
The Maya: Shaft tombs of Teuchitlan.
Zapotecs replaced the Olmecs Mayan culture had begun to take root. Shaft tombs used by chiefs and families became symbolic center to society. Earliest type of tombs from 1500-800BCE. Round opening surrounded by low platforms from which short, stepped passage led into the mortuary chamber. Carved into volcanic taft. Boot or bottle shaped Vertical shafts are cut between 1 and 21 meters. Largest: El Arenal (18 meter shaft)
Wangcheng Plan
Zhou Dynasty, Confucian Principles. Grid form with gates on each side. Symbolizes the notion that ruler is at the center of the world. The walls represent rulers power and nobility as well as for protection.
Agora
a public open space used for assemblies and markets in Greece and Rome that changed to Basilican Church during the early christian period.
Mandala
a sacred diagram of the universe. Hindu temples and cities are based off of the geometrical figure. Represents a plan of a palace, model of the cosmos and a model of the mind. Hindu architecture is based off of a 3 dimensional mandala giving form to cosmic harmony.
Confucianism
a system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius. One of China's main influenced in architecture. Believes in respect of the authority of the state. Ancestor worship.
Olmec civilization
earliest known American civilization, located in southern Mexico. Harnessed geographical possibilities to make urban centers, mostly farmers nad fisherman. Believed in the Jaguar God and worshipped volcanoes.
Olmec Heartland (geographic area)
the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Two big sites of San Lorenzo and La Venta. 200x80 km Tropical lowland forrest environment with meandering rivers.
