Ralph Rapson Hall Essay

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There are many ways to explore and discover the aspects of Ralph Rapson Hall and how these are studied and viewed, not only from the eyes of a student but from the past architects throughout history. Those aspects can be interpreted through the feelings evoked from a space, the cohesiveness of two spaces conjoined, and the differences between additive and divisive plans. Architecture and society has changed in a drastic way since the works of Vitruvius and through these changes many of his ideas no longer apply to modern day architecture. Furthermore, Rapson Hall can still fall under the criteria of many different ideals of the past and the modern.
Rapson Hall captures, in an eloquent way, the intricate balance between cold and soft. When looking at the feeling a space evokes, many factors are looked at. What are the tones and hues of colors and lighting? What are the textures used? How does one find themselves in the space? What is the space used for?
As an architecture student, a lot of time is spent within the walls of Rapson. At first glance, many features would be seen as cold and uninviting, but are in fact soft and comforting. Cold grey facades cover the floor and walls. Unfinished ceiling and …show more content…

As O’Gorman states, “The additive, asymmetrical plan appears to be more flexible than the divisive, symmetrical one” (O'Gorman 1998). When looking at the plan of Rapson Hall (see figure 1), the addition is a distinct departure from the original symmetry. It is in fact so unlike any other shape that is seen near Rapson within the bounds of this map. Another point that is made examines the physical form. “The additive plan will usually generate a complex three-dimensional form[…]” (O'Gorman 1998). As seen in figure 2, the form of the addition is anything but blocky and plain. Many facades jet out in different sizes and fashions, allowing a complex

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