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Elements of African architecture essay
Classical impact on architecture
Classical architectures and its influence on modern architectureClassical architectures and its influence on modern architecture
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The reason I choose this title is that African Architecture has a close connection to nature, and the two cannot be separated.
- African Architecture is an extension of Nature because it does not attempt to disturb or separate itself from nature. Instead, it attempts to complement nature and employ natural resources to accomplish its purpose.
Context/Connection to Class:
Context- The purpose of this presentation is to inform my fellow classmates about the main concepts that inspire African Architecture and to show how these concepts can have effective applications in modern society.
Connection - This is relevant to our class because throughout our studies we have seen that African art is usually functional. Some of the examples we have covered include the huge vases and the baskets which are both used in every day life. A main concept of this class is to understand that African art is not separate from African life, but instead it is part of the day to day life of African people. In turn, African Architecture is part of the day to day life as well.
The functions of Art: Art must satisfy
1) Our personal needs for expression
-African architecture allows the architect to express the importance of nature, which reflects on the African culture.
2) Our social needs for communication, celebration, and display
- Decoration of the African homes is a great example of how Africans use Architecture to display, and communicate
3) our physical needs for useful objects and structures
- Architecture is functional in that it provides one of the three necessities of man (shelter)
Why I chose this?
- Being an Engineer, I find that the techniques an architect uses to accomplish his task and make a statement at the same time very interesting.
- An architect has the obstacle of making his work both useful and artistic.
- When given a problem, other types of engineers will just solve that problem while architects must solve the problem and also have it be aesthetically pleasing.
- In a sense, Architects must be true Rennaissance men in that they must be masters of both science and the arts.
Historical and Contextual Background:
History of Classical Architecture: Vitruvian Man Image/Primitive builder image
- Classical Architecture is based on the ideas of Vitruvius and the Vitruvian Man.
- Vitruvian Man image portrays the importance of symmetry and the concept that man is the center of the universe.
- Romans believed that the universe revolved around man and the earth
“The architect’s role and their intellectual responsibility is to fight to maintain their vision and little bits get chopped off all the time, but if they’re only little bits, it’s not too bad.’’
When an architect is influenced they create. They make what they see in their mind. But people could always improve what they’ve already created. Homes at one point were only one story houses. But suddenly to someone’s mind they thought homes should be two stories or even three. Back in High School, most of my classmates wanted to become architects and they’d be asked how they were influenced to draw a blueprint like the one they had. Some would respond with “I saw this house that had this this and this and I really liked it so I put it into my home.” Meaning they would be inspired by a home that was already
In the aftermath of the colonial conquest and several exploratory expeditions, much of Africa precious décor was being exhibited in places such as Berlin, Munich and London. When African artifacts were first found, and exported to Europe no one really understood
In sub-Saharan Africa, thousands of languages, cultures, and geographical regions helped influence our African society. The ways in which we produce our artwork, spiritual ideals, and ritual performances are organic and raw. From the tropical regions of Congo and Ghana, to the arid regions of Mali; I pass through the global gateway into a domain where the Western world lost its roots and artistic imagination and grandeur. Africa appeals most to me for its ability to create a realm where the living, dead, and artistic ideals come into a single unit of tranquil philosophy.
From the early Greek temples of yesteryear, to the high-tech autonomous buildings of tomorrow, the question of whether the function of a building or its aesthetics qualities are more important has plagued the minds of architects around the world. Webster's II New College Dictionary (Please do not use the encyclopedia or the dictionary to open your essay--way too high school.) defines aesthetics as "The branch of philosophy that provides a theory of the beautiful and of the fine arts" (18). The definition of Functionalism is defined by Webster's as "The doctrine that the function of an object should determine its design and materials" (453). Now, if the function of an object decides the type of design and materials used how does one integrate aesthetics into design, and moreover, how important are aesthetics to an architect? Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the greatest and most renowned architects of the 19th and 20th centuries, and while his buildings where lauded for displaying great artistic design, the issue of function was compromised by the blatant fact that his roofs leaked. This is because he let the aesthetics of his buildings become the focus of the structure, and neglected to adequately address the function of the building allowing for this problem to take root in his designs (Palermo, 4 Mar. 1999). As is apparent from Frank Lloyd Wright, there is a certain balance that has to be attained between aesthetics and functionalism in order for a structure to be appreciated as a successful building.
Angeles, Los. (2009). African arts. Volume 28. Published by African Studies Center, University of California.
The success of architects is defined not so much by the problems they face as the act of their creative and practical responses.
It is essential in representing the strong african heritage and it 's importance can be seen in many aspects of culture (Gaines 1).
architecture to just the designing of buildings. He feels that architecture involves more than just
Almost every civilization or culture all at least has their own forms of traditional art, doesn’t matter if the art was influenced, taken, or created. Art includes almost everything to anything, from physical things to things you can only hear or even feel, for example: painting, music, sculptures, dance, architecture, literature, movies, plays, and much more. Art is also very important because it contains meaning and expression behind it. This all includes the Igbo culture, a civilization found in Nigeria, Africa. The Igbo culture reflects many types of traditional arts such as dances for various occasions, masks and maiden masks, various musical instruments, and architecture.
Like all engineers, architectural engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research and develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and commercial applications. Engineers design products, machinery to build those products, factories in which those products are made, and the systems that ensure the quality of the product and efficiency of the workforce and manufacturing process. Engineers design, plan, and supervise the construction of buildings, highways, and transit systems. They develop new materials that both improve the performance of products and help implement advances in technology. Engineering knowledge is applied to improving many things, including the quality of health care, the safety of food products, and the efficient operation of financial systems.
Constantly judged and evolving, the practice of architecture is forever plagued by the future. The future of people, of culture, technology and its resulting implications on the built environment that more often than not, outlives their creators. Much of the conversation surrounding this future architecture currently hinges itself on the creation of new experiences, forms and spatial relationships brought about by technological innovation.
Times have changed since days of Vitruvius, the inevitable advancement in technology, rapid global population increase and an ever developing awareness of the sustainability of our environment have forced the architect into different positions in the project team Thus it can be said that the external forces that shape the environment that an architect works in does so by manipulating the relationship between the skills required to practice; the scope of expertise and the depth of knowledge. Fig. 3 indicates a diagrammatic timeline representing the changing roles of the architect over the various time periods with respect to the scope and depth of
Nature in architecture is critical. Laugier made this clear in the 1700s with his basic, but insightful, claims in “An Essay on Architecture.” Modern architects have taken his beliefs further than he probably ever imagined with technology and the cutting-edge idea of biomimicry. After studying natures’ artistic design, architectural stature, and overall success rate on this earth, I believe that the incorporation of nature is vital to architectural design.
Behind every architectural work there is an architect, whether the architect is one man or woman, a small group, or an entire people. The structure created by any of these architects conveys a message about the architect: their culture, their identity, their struggles. Because of the human element architects offer to their work not just a building is made, but a work of art, a symbol of a people, a representation, is also created.