[FOUNDATIONS] unit summary

   Sir Henry Wotton said, “In architecture, as in all operative arts, the end must direct the operation. The end is to build well.  Well building hath three conditions: commodity, firmness, and delight.”  Commodity is if the building has all the needs and being utilitarian.  Firmness is being able to stand the test of time.  Delight is the beauty and if the building is well pleasing to the eye.

The Egyptians were a big influence for the foundation of architecture.  The pyramids were built to have commodity firmness and delight.  The pyramids in Giza were designed to keep people out by building them to look like polished limestone so that the sun would reflect on them.  They were used to store and hide objects of value, and also some were used for burial.  Time was very important to them, they tried to make the buildings outlast the people.  They were also designed to set out from their environment.  Hieroglyphics were written on the pyramids to tell their stories.  The Temple of Amon’s architecture empowers the civilization and commands the common people to worship the gods.  Hierarchy is shown in both the Khufu and the Hatshepsut.  Both are built differently but still show it in different ways. 

The Greeks were trying to achieve the ideal and perfection.  They wanted the ultimate and had the most influence on America.  They used the post and lintel system to build temples and portals.  They built the temples for priest and leaders to use for worship.  To illuminate statues, the openings around and between post/columns allowed light to shine in.  In the Acropolis, the Parthenon is most important structure; this is shown by making it the biggest.  Also, when you enter the Acropolis it is set at an angle to emphasize that. 

The Romans were influences to build to make spaces for the people.  The most famous piece of architecture they built was Flavian Amphitheater (the Colosseum) in Rome.  They were designed to hold sport events and other entertainment.  The arches allow it to be firm and last the test of time.  The look of the Colosseum is very delightful because of the arches and the use of different column orders on each level. 

I think that this unit of foundations was very important.  It told us where designs have come from.  I think that commodity, firmness, and delight are important because they are what make the building a piece of architecture and not a sculpture which would only have delight.