ARCH Test 2
Taj Mahal
Agra, India 1631-1647
Paradise Garden
An enclosed garden, organized as a four-square grid, representing the four rivers flowing out of Eden. The Paradise garden often serves as a basic formal organization, which sustains transformations, especially in landscape design.
Sahn
An open courtyard in a mosque
Who was the patron and who was the architect of this building? (Public Bath (hammam) of Hürrem Sultan)
Architect: Mimar Senan
Why was the Florence cathedral unfinished in the early 15th century?
because the crossing was so big (c. 138 feet) that no-one knew how to build a dome that large using traditional building methods and centering.
Mosque and külliye of Süleyman the Magnificent
Istanbul, Turkey 1550-1557
Public Bath (hammam) of Hürrem Sultan
Istanbul, Turkey 1556-1557
mausoleum
a large tomb
Roman Triumphal Arch
a monumental structure in the shape of an archway with one or more arched passageways, often designed to span a road.
Dome
a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base.
barrel vault
a vault forming a half cylinder
maidan
an open area or space in or near a town, often used as a marketplace or parade ground (public square)
Madrasa
A school for the study of Muslim law and religious science
Quibla
(wall in which the mihrab is located, also direction of Mecca)
Describe the design elements of the Süleyman mosque in Istanbul, including the plan, section, and interior elevation. What older building inspired its form? What are some of the distinctive forms of architectural decoration found inside?
- Placed on a sloped hill - Four minarets - Ten balconies supported by muqarnas - Süleyman was the 10th sultan - Exterior arcades and galleries
What do we know about Brunelleschi's background and early training?
- apprentices was Leonardo da Vinci - trained as a goldsmith, lost the competition to make the doors of the Florence Baptistery (had a picture depicting the sacrifice of Isaac) in 1401 and traveled to Rome. - returned to Florence, served on advisory committees for the building of the city. - regarded as "THE FATHER OF RENAISSANCE ARCHITECTURE"
Who paid for the Foundling Hospital and what does this tell us about 15th century society in Florence?
- built by Guild of Silk Manufacturers and goldsmith-civic patronage by merchants. -all man are created equal, emphasis on liberty and individual choice.
What type of complex is this? Who built the part that dates to the 13th-15th centuries? (The Alhambra Palace)
-Palace Complex -The Nasrid Dynasty
What does the name of this mosque mean? Who built it and why? (Quwwat al-Islam Mosque)
-"Might of Islam" -Muhammad of Ghur's military commander and former slave Qutb al-Din Aybak built this complex.
What are some of the developments that took place in Isfahan under the Safavid rulers?
-A covered bazaar and caravanserai link the older part of town to the newer section created by the Safavid rulers -New square, the Royal Maidan, with palace, mosque (Masjid-I-shah), and shops.
What are the main buildings found around the Meidan Emam and what purposes do they serve?
-Ali Qapu Gate and Pavilion: a palace to entertain guests, also served as a gateway to the gardens and palaces to the west of the maidan. -Masjid-i-Shah Mosque: Public prayer hall -There is also government buildings.
Why is the Foundling Hospital known as the 'first building of the Renaissance'? What are some of the classical principles used by Brunelleschi? What are some of his innovations?
-Brunelleschi applied classical design principles to new building type. -Use of round (not pointed) arches looks back to Roman (not Gothic) architecture, Use of columns and capitals and decorative details inspired by Roman architecture. Modular design based upon distance between columns (intercolumniation) Intercolumniation and height of the columns (20 feet) = diameter of arches -Innovations: Sail-vault in each bay
What is significant about the location of the Quwwat al-Islam mosque and why does it have so many re-used architectural elements in its structure? Where did these pieces originally come from and what would their reuse here say to a visitor?
-Built on the location of a Hindu temple. -Craftsmen reused architectural elements from 27 Hindu temples.
How does the appearance and location reflect the status of its owners? Why would the rock-face stone and rustication be appropriate for this type of building? (Medici)
-Defined as forms of monumental residential urban architecture (townhouse) that expressed power/ prestige of family
What roles do courts, gardens, and water play in the design of the Alhambra?
-Emphasis on symmetry -Water provides mirror-like reflection
Describe the plan of the garden and explain why the paradise garden design would be doubly symbolic here (Taj Mahal)
-Entrance at south, through a main gateway set on axis with the tomb. Central space occupied by a square garden, divided by water canals = chār-bāgh (four-plot) plan. -Planted with flowering trees and plants as a symbol of rebirth and immortality.
Who built the Taj Mahal and why? What are the principal elements of this complex and what purpose do they serve?
-Mughal ruler Shah Jahan - The complex includes an enclosed garden and tomb for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum -Complex includes gateway, gardens, tomb and mosque. -Central space occupied by a square garden, divided by water canals = chār-bāgh (four-plot) plan.
Describe the design of the garden in the Court of the Lions: what does the plan represent, symbolically? How does it compare to the garden in the Taj Mahal? Where did the lion sculptures originally come from and why is it unusual to see them in this place?
-The concept of a walled garden divided into four parts by water channels leading away from a central fountain comes from Persia (ancient Iran) and is often called a paradise garden after a description of paradise in the Qur'anas a garden with rivers of water, milk, wine and honey. - Lions come from 11th century palace of the Jewish ruler Banu Nagrallah. Detail of fountain with poetry by Ibn Zamrak recorded in calligraphy
What sort of information did Palladio include in his Four Books on Architecture and why did it become such an influential work?
-The first book includes studies of decorative styles, classical orders, and materials. -The second book included Palladio's town and country house designs and classical reconstructions. -The third book has bridge and basilica designs, city planning designs, and classical halls. -The fourth book included information on the reconstruction of ancient Roman temples.
Describe the facade of the main building and its decoration. (Taj Mahal)
-Tomb of 57m (187 feet) on each side, 74m (243 feet) high with central bulbous dome on drum. -Four additional domes above open pavilions, -Façade uses iwan (recessed arch) within rectangle. -Made of white marble with inlaid black and yellow marble. -Pilasters with chevron pattern divide sections of façade. -Inlaid decoration of flowering trees and plants includes semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, jasper, agate, jade, coral, amethyst, and turquoise.
When was the Iron Pillar originally made and for what purpose? Why is it here in the mosque?
-ca. 400 -It was dedicated to Vishnu, a Hindu God.
What was the original purpose of the Medici Palace? How is the building designed to serve the needs of the owner?
-ground floor for business -public access -second floor piano mobile -private family rooms
What are some of the architectural forms and decoration found in the Hall of the Abencerrajes
-square floor plan with series of squinches rising to a starshaped drum and muqarnas vault. -eight muqarnas squinches for a starshaped drum
What are five innovations Brunelleschi used to complete the dome?
1. Double Shell 2. Three different kinds of ribs 3. Graduated weight of materials: (heavier) stone at base, (lighter) brick above. 4. Twenty-four wooden timbers (chestnut) at base of dome banded together with straps and bolts to create a continuous tension ring that resists the outward thrust of the dome. 5. Portable Centering
Külliye
A Turkish building complex centered around a mosque and including educational, charitable, and medical facilities
Coffered ceiling (coffer)
A decorative sunken panel: a ceiling with decorative sunken panels. A recessed, geometrically shaped panel in a ceiling or a ceiling decorated with these panels.
Minaret (tower)
A distinctive feature of mosque architecture, a tower from which the faithful are called to worship.
Basilica
A huge marble government building in ancient Rome
Bazaar
A market selling different kinds of goods
What is the purpose of this building? (Foundling Hospital)
Children orphanage
Who commissioned the construction of this church? (Church of San Andrea)
Commissioned by Ludovico Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua.
What is found inside the main building and how does this relate to its purpose? (Taj Mahal)
Contains the actual tombs of Mumtaz Mahal nd Shah Jahan. Served its purpose as a tomb for Shah Jahan's wife.
What were the technical challenges to completing the dome? (Cathedral of Florence)
Coud not build the dome with traditional building methods and centering.
Iron Pillar
Delhi, India 12th-13th centuries
Qutb Minar
Delhi, India 12th-13th centuries
Quwwat al-Islam Mosque
Delhi, India 12th-13th centuries
Meidan Emam (formerly the Royal Maidan/Maidan-i-Shah)
Isfahan, Iran late 16th-17th century
central plan mosque
Features a large dome covered interior space with structural elements that radiate from a central point.
Cathedral of Florence
Florence, Italy began in 1292, added a 14th century belltower, completed in 1436.
Foundling Hospital
Florence, Italy designed: 1419 built: 1421-1444
Medici Palace
Florence, Italy 1444 Michelozzo Bartolomeo
The Alhambra Palace
Grenada, Spain 13th-15th centuries
Akbar (1556-1605)
India's greatest ruler, own religion: Dinillahi, combination of Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianismm, Hinduism
Church of San Andrea
Mantua, Italy, 1472-1494, Alberti1472-1494 Leon Battista Alberti
Who was Sinan and what did he contribute to the development of Islamic/ Ottoman architecture?
Most celebrated Ottoman architect, he perfected the constructions of mosques.
What is the purpose of a mosque and what are some of the architectural requirements for its design?
Most mosques also feature one or more domes, called qubba in Arabic. While not a ritual requirement like the mihrab, a dome does possess significance within the mosque—as a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven.
Shah Jahan (1627-1658)
Mughal emperor, patron of the Taj Mahal
Mihrab
Niche indicating the direction of Mecca
Who was the patron, and who was the architect of the mosque and külliye of Süleyman?
Patron: Suleiman the Magnificent Architect: Mimar Sinan.
How do the plan and elevation compare to an older Gothic church like Notre Dame at Laon, France, and a later Baroque church, such as Il Gèsu in Rome, Italy?(Church of San Andrea)
Plan of church based on Latin-cross plan, with barrel vaults in nave and transepts, dome above crossing
What is the Qutb Minar? What are some of the forms of decoration seen on the exterior?
Qutb = axis, or staff •Functions as a minaret, or place to call thefaithful to prayer. •379 steps to top, 72.5 meters (238 feet) tall •Note balconies supported by muqarnas arches and brackets.
Who was Vitruvius, when did he live, and how did his work contribute to the development of Renaissance architecture?
Roman engineer and architect Lived in the first century B.C.E Wrote De Architectura, or The Ten Books on Architecture, dedicated to the Emperor Augustus
Mughal Dynasty
Rulers who controlled most of India in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
What is significant about the location of this mosque? (Mosque and külliye of Süleyman the Magnificent)
Second largest mosque in the city.
Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz-i Mahal)
Second wife to Shah Jahan, bore his heir-apparent and favorite daughter along with 12 other children. Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built as a mausoleum for her, after her death giving birth to her 14th child, as a monument of "undying love."
Describe the plan of in the Meidan Emam in Isfahan. What is innovative about this design?
The central open space covers 20 acres and was surrounded by buildings that expressed Safavid identity and served the local community.
engaged columns
a half-round column attached to a wall
What is the building used for today? (Medici)
Today, the Florence Provincial Authority holds its meetings inside the building.
Palazzo Chiericati
Vicenza, Italy 1550-52 Andrea Palladio
vault
a curved ceiling made of arches
Describe the architectural elements seen on the façade of the church. What are some of the specific ancient Roman buildings that provided Alberti with inspiration for this design? (Church of San Andrea)
combines elements of an ancient Roman temple and triumphal arch, inspired by Basilica of Maxenius and constantine, Arch of Titus, Temple of Fortuna Virilia (Portunus), Rome, Italy, early 1st century BCE
How does the building use Classical elements and principles on the facade? (Medici)
cornice, dentils, and corinthian columns
cortile
courtyard
rock-faced stone
different colored and textured stone or brick
chatri
elevated pavilion
Haram
forbidden or proscribed by Islamic law.
dome on pendentives
four concave, triangular pieces of masonry (triangular sections of a hemisphere), which provide the transition and support from a square area to the circular base of a covering dome
Iwan
in Islamic architecture, a vaulted rectangular recess opening onto a courtyard
Minbar
in a mosque, the pulpit on which the imam stands
Caravanserai
inn or rest station for caravans
muqarnas arch
is a form of ornamented vaulting in Islamic architecture
muqarnas vault
is a form of ornamented vaulting in Islamic architecture, geometric subdivision producing a sort of cellular structure
What do we know about Alberti's career? How did Alberti's book, On the Art of Building, contribute to an understanding of the elements and principles of Classical Architecture?
it was the first theoretical book on the subject written in the Italian Renaissance and in 1485 became the first printed book on architecture. It was followed in 1486 with the first printed edition of Vitruvius.
rustication/rusticated masonry
masonry that is usually squared off but left with a more or less rough outer surface and wide joints emphasizing the edges of each block
palazzo
palace, townhouse
cornice
projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars)
Piano Nobile
the main story of a large house (usually the first floor), containing the principal rooms.
Dentils
tooth-like blocks in Ionic and Corinthian cornices