The theory of cultural diamond comes from the components of different culture and societies. Culture comes in forms of national customs, variations of symbolic meanings and other forms. A society is the mass of people living together in a more or less ordered community. Together these two helps to form the building blocks of the idea of the cultural diamond, which helps others understand the significance of simple objects and ideas.
The construction of the Tower of Pisa began on August 9, 1173 in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. Originally designed to be a bell tower, the tower actually stood upright for over five years. It was not until the third floor was built did the tower begin to lean. The tilt in the tower was caused by poor foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The height of the tower is one hundred and eighty- three point twenty-seven feet from the ground on the low side and one hundred and eighty-five point ninety-three feet. The width of the walls at the base is eight point six feet. Its weight is estimated at fourteen thousand and five hundred metric tons. The tower has two hundred and ninety-six steps and prior to restoration work performed between 1990 and 2001, the tower leaned at an angle of five point five degrees, but the tower now leans at about three point ninety-nine degrees. Writers on thewonderoftheworld.net says,” Currently, the Tower of Pisa has a 3.99 degree lean and had been continually increasing the lean until engineers halted the lean for the first time. During the latest renovations, engineers were able
to stabilize the Tower of Pisa by removing 77 tons of dirt underneath the tower. Today, over 1,000,000 tourists visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa each year...
... middle of paper ...
... cultural diamond.
Works Cited
"The History of The Leaning Tower of Pisa." History of The Leaning Tower of Pisa. N.p., 20120. Web. 15 Feb. 2014. .
Malandra, Ocean. "Information on the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy." USA Today- Travel Tips. USA Today, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. .
Wonders of the World. "Leaning Tower of Pisa." The Wonders of the World. Wonders of the World. Net, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. .
Ridet, Philippe. "Leaning Tower of Pisa Straightens up." Guardian Weekly. Guardian News and Media, 24 Sept. 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. .
Taller than the ancient pyramids in Egypt, large enough to hold the statue of liberty. 100 pounds of weightless stones, heavy enough to hold the Empire state building are the Great Cathedrals (PBS, 2011). Intrigued by the beauty in structure but puzzled by the very construction, without technology for building purposes has researchers mind wondering. In reference to the NOVA program, building of Gothic cathedral begin as a race of height, which over time this plan backfired because of the recent architectural discoveries in the foundation. The NOVA program pointed out that in this race of constructing the tallest building wasn’t the only concern between two rivalry cities in Europe; it purpose was recognized as a scared space for spiritual reasoning to bring ordinary someone closer to God (PBS, 2011).
The whole structure was built in a hurry, possibly in an effort to solidify the conquest. It is not nearly a remarkable an object as the twin churches in Caen. However, due to its protective design, it is an impregnable fortress, and its history as a prison, the tower has carved its place in history. Work on the stone building and exterior walls was begun in 1077. The main building, included a small cathedral in one corner, and rises three stories.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It is located in Paris, France on the Champ de Mars. Construction was completed in 1889, just in time for the 1889 Universal Exposition. At the time of completion, it was the tallest structure in the world and held the title for forty-one years. It was the first man made structure to surpass one thousand feet. Today it is the second tallest structure in France after the Millau Viaduct. This project which seems to have followed a design-build approach was managed by head engineer and company owner, Gustave Eiffel.
The culture of a community invariably determines the social structures and the formation of a society. Developed over time, culture is the collection of beliefs and values that a group of people maintain together. Culture is never constant, and thought to be continually renewed over years as new ideas and concepts become mainstream. It ranges from how people live, day to day topics for conversations, religion, and even entertainment. It is analogous to guidelines, or the rulebook of the said group of people. Society, on the other hand, emanates from the social structure of the community. It is the very institutions to which create a regulated and acceptable form of interaction between peoples. Indeed, culture and society are so perversely intertwined in a
Sullivan, Mary Ann. Images of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (facade) by Borromini, 1665-76, Rome. Digital Imaging Project. 2005. 02 02 2011 .
In the Florence Cathedral, Florence, Italy, there is a cathedral church whose octagonal dome, built without the aid of scaffolding, was considered the greatest engineering feat of the early Renaissance. Dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, Our Lady of the Flower, it is also known as the Duomo, after the Italian word for cathedral. Created by many great Early Modern artists, this piece of architecture is a perfect example the Renaissance style. We can come to a better understanding of why this is so by exploring what the characteristics of the Renaissance “style”. To understand the properties of the Florence Cathedral that fit the Early Modern style, I will begin with a description and its history. The cathedral's architectural style, although greatly influenced by French Gothic elements remained distinctively Florentine, especially the geometric patterns of red, green, and white marble on the building's exterior. Construction of the cathedral began in 1294 on the site of a Christian church founded in the 6th or 7th century and continued until 1436. Several celebrated Italian architects were involved in the project, including Giotto, Arnolfo di Cambio, Andrea Orcagna, and, most notably, Filippo Brunelleschi, who was responsible for designing and building the dome. The cathedral's exterior is ornamented with sculpture and mosaics by Italian artists Donatello, Nanni di Banco, and Domenico Ghirlandaio, among others. The building's stained-glass windows are the work of the Italian architect and artist Lorenzo Ghiberti, and the interior is decorated with sculpture and fresco paintings by several Renaissance masters. Construction of the campanile (bell tower), situated to the right of the entrance to the Duomo, was begun by Giotto and completed according to his plans in 1359, after his death. Nearly 278 ft high, the campanile is embellished with red, green, and white marble panels of relief sculpture by Italian artists Andrea Pisano and Luca della Robbia, and niches with sculpted figures by Donatello and other masters. Facing the cathedral and campanile is a smaller, octagonal structure, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, noted for its gilt-bronze doors, elaborately worked in high relief by Andrea Pisano and Lorenzo Ghiberti. With that background information about the cathedral, one question comes to mind: what is it that makes the Renaissance style distinct? Renaissa...
Have you ever felt insignificant while standing in front of a monumental building that you have seen in small images of your history book? No one could imagine the atmosphere and physical beauty inside the most beautiful structures in the world, the Pantheon and the Florence cathedral. While sitting at the fountain in front of the Pantheon, one can see the huge columns rising towards the entablature and the walls curving behind to form a cylinder. Although the exterior of the pantheon could look majestic, the interior is just as breathtaking. The first thing someone does when they enter the Pantheon is to look up at the coffered dome and the oculus. The important feature that seemed impossible to have been built during the time that the Pantheon
The Façade, designed by the architect Carlo Maderno, “Is 114.69 metres wide and 48 metres high, and has an order of Corinthian columns and pilasters, over which lies an imposing cornice with a central tympanum, crowned by a balustrade with thirteen statues (nearly 6 metres high).” There can be found an inscription on the entablature stating that the Façade was built under Pope Paul V Borghese. In the lower order there are five entrances to the atrium, over which are nine windows, three of which possessing a balcony. The main window, the “Benediction Loggia”, where the Pope gives his blessing upon his election, and at Christmas and Easter. When Maderno added the nave, which is the main body of the church,
...survived public lashings and invasions since its erection in 1889. Even though some thought it would detract from the gloriousness of Paris, it brought in millions upon millions of people from every nation who had the desire to see the breath taking monument that is the Eiffel Tower. Thousands, if not millions, spend their lives dreaming and wishing they can one day visit the Tower, jars are labeled ‘Eiffel Tower Fund’ and spend years filling up. The Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris, has brought delight and bliss to many with its income and the addition to science around the world.
Next, The Eiffel Tower is a renowned monument for France. Being that it was originally built as an entrance way, some precautions were made. The safety token was moveable staging, guard rails and screens only one man died during construction. (Eiffel Tower). The tower stands 320 meters tall it uses over 18,000 pieces in the steel structure. Each year the high heats cause the structure to grow six inches, but then retracts back after the summer time. So, that is why the idea of thermal rivets were used in assembly, because the rivets allow the structure to keep its shape. Over 2.5 million rivets were used. (Eiffel ...
The cultural diamond can be best understood and explained through an analysis of its framework and linkages. The diamond consists of four corners: the cultural object, the receiver, the creator and the social world.
Even though, the Eiffel Tower is a renowned monument for France. Being that it was originally built as an entrance way, some precautions were made. The safety procedures distributed were moveable staging, guard rails and screens. So, only one man died during construction (“Building Eiffel Tower”). The tower stands 320 meters tall, it uses over 18,000 pieces in the steel structure. Each year the high heats cause the structure to grow six inches, but then retracts back after the summer time. So, that is why the idea of thermal rivets were used in assembly because the rivets allow the structure to keep its shape. Over 2.5 million rivets were used (“Building Eiffel Tower”). This construction cost France over 7.31 million francs. The tower was many different colors until they officially settled for bronze. It was red, mustard yellow, and even chestnut brown (“Chisholm”).
The strength of a gothic building is made to reside in a finely organized framework rather than in its walls. This framework, which consists of perfectly placed piers, arches and buttresses, frees up any unessential impediment of walls and presents a light feeling. The stability of the building depends only on inert massiveness in its outermost parts, whose opposing forces counteract each other in a perfect stability of thrust and counterthrust. Gothic architecture is an artistic, strategic system of engineering, schemes for building were followed for elevations, termed quadratum (four sided) and triangulorum (three sided). 2 This system allowed them to raise their ideal structures according to symbolic measure and numbers reflecting the geometry of the New Jerusalem and its prototype, the Temple of Solomon. (Figure 1.1)
de Bruyn, Gerd . Post tower : Helmut Jahn, Werner Sobek, Matthias Schuler. Berlin; Boston: Birkhauser Verlag, 1997. Print.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, also known as the Torre Pendente di Pisa, known for its renowned work of art is located in Pisa, Italy. The mastermind behind this historically significant masterpiece is the famous architect, Bonanno Pisano. The tower is in the shape of a circle, which was first constructed on August 9th, 1173, measuring about 185 feet (56 meters). Originally, the tower was designed to have eight stories; however, within the year of 1773, many problems occurred, causing only three of the eight stories to be completed. Due to a war which occurred, the building was incomplete. The war broke out among the Italian city-states, and construction was halted for almost a century (www.brittanica.com). This pause allowed the tower’s foundation to settle and likely prevented its early collapse (www.brittanica.com). Because of the pause, the rest of the stories were completed during 1319. There were two pauses between the constructions of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, first for 100 years, and the other occurred in 1284. Both of the pauses took place because of wars. The tower began to lean on one side due to the soft ground underneath the building; problems arose when the weight of the tower couldn’t be supported by the ground. In modern time, the famous masterpiece would’ve been 840 years old (www.softschools.com). The tower is a freestanding bell, famous for the settling of its foundation, causing it to lean 5.5 degrees to one side. However, over time, many operations were done, trying to straighten the tower, yet it only straightened out by less than 4.0 degrees. However, the lean became worse as construction continued for several decades. Gratefully, the lean was stabilized and partially fixed between 199...