Friday, February 21, 2014

Gothic

The Gothic period, I find is one of the most influential and most important era for its unique taste in architecture, design, and dark elements. From the style of arches to the new form of vaulted ceilings, the Gothic era brought a new touch to European design.

Some important aspects of the Gothic design include: pointed arches, ribbed vaulted ceilings, and flying buttress. Along with those Gothic elements, the use of rose shaped stain-glass windows was frequently used in Gothis architecture and design.

 
Above is an example of the pointed arch. Instead of curved arch from previous eras.
 
Above is an image of the flying buttress design of the Gothic era.
 
 
Above is an example of the ribbed vaulted ceiling. It comes to a point at the top.
 
Lastly, above is an example of the rose shaped glass that was commonly used in Gothis design.

One of my favorite structures and one of the most classic churches of the Gothic period is the Notre Dame at Paris. This structure is very grand from the inside and out. It displays arches, the flying buttress, ribbed vaulted ceilings, and rose stained-glass windows. Below are images of the exterior and interior of the Notre Dame.




As for modern day, Gothic style is commly used. The Gothic style had made it's footprint on modern design and made way for modern architecture today. Below are some examples of current applications of Gothic style.




 
For the Gothic period, I viewed Samantha and Natalie's blogs. Both made very intersting points in their blogs and discussed the many aspects of the era. Samantha discussed the weightlessness that the pointed arches brought, as in they no longer pushed outward for support. She also displayed how the Eiffel Tower was a great example of Gothic deisgn. In a different approach, Natalie discussed a cathedral that she had previously visited in Siena, Italy. She showed pictures of the arches, columns, and painted walls that were displayed within the cathedral. Both posts discussed very interesting topics and displayed ideas that I didn't think of covering.

References
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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Islamic

During the Islamic period, design and architecture was once again pushed outside its limit and exposed to new creations. Of all past periods, the Islamic period holds more detail and elements. Looking at past Islamic designs, one can see the unique and distinct features of the architectural aspects.
 
For example and as discussed in class, the Taj Mahal is a great example of Islamic style. This structure not only displays the intricate details of the Islamic design but shows how the use of outdoors was also a great part of the overall design. The use of domes was also periodically used, as they were in previous eras. The detailed walls on the external walls also gave the structure an even more unique outlook. Below is an image of the Taj Mahal, followed by images that display it's detailed designs.
 
 
 
This is a close up view of the exterior walls of the Taj Mahal and how detailed the wall decorations were on this structure.
 
 
This is an image of the inside of the Taj Mahal, notice that the detail is still throughout the space, inside and out.
 
 
As for current applications of style, the Islamic design is still seen and used everywhere today, from textiles to fixtures to wall decorations.
 
 
This nook shows the arches and textile that were commonly used during this era and are known as Islamic design today.
 
 
This space shows the bright colors, textures, and texiles that were often displayed in Islamic design.

For the Islamic period, I viewed Lindsay and Sammy's blogs. Lindsay discussed the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed and how detailed the structure was and how unique the overall design was. Lindsay also discussed how easily Islamic design is used today in modern designs. Sammy talked about different mosques that were created along with how the Islamic design had many colors similar to the Byzantine and Romanesque designs. I found this really interesting and can see the similaries between the different design periods. Both blogs discussed unique topics of the Islamic era and captured its true design.
 
References
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Romanesque

From the time period of 800 to 1150 C.E. the Romanesque age was created. During this time, the thoughts of architecture and design derived from the Romans. They used very detailed and intricate designs but with a more sleek architecture based foundation.
 
During this era, the creation of churches was more popular and their design elements were more detailed and even more beautiful. For example is the Pisa Baptistery in Pisa, Italy. This particular church is a set of three structures, the cathedral, baptistery, and then the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The structures are all very detailed and have intricate designs inside and out. They are a great example of the Romanesque period, which displays a more elaborate sense of Roman design.
 
 
Outside view of the Baptistery, follwed by the cathedral and tower of Pisa.
 
 
This is an internal view of the Baptistery and its unique features.
 
 
The design and architecture set by the Romanesque period leads many paths for modern designs today. As displayed below.
 
This is a Romanesque inspired modern day home.
 
 
Although there wasn't much change in furniture as opposed to other periods, the style of a common chest had changed through time.
 
 
 
This is an image of a Romanesque tomb chest.
 
 
 
This is a great example of Romanesque design fused with modern day applications.
 
For the Romanesque period I viewed Hannah and Justine's blogs. Hannah throughly dicussed the use of vaulted ceilings during this period and how they used barrel versus groin vaulted ceilings. The vaulted ceiling was very popular during this time and I found it interesting that Hannah decided to go in depth about this subject. I enjoyed learning the different types of vaukted ceilings during this era. Justine discussed the ornate details used in churches during the Romanesque period and how it put a unque touch on the Roman features. I found both of these blogs very different from mine and interesting.
 

References
 
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Pompeii

From the beginning of Pompeii to the end with Mount Vesuvious. the Romans had left traces of their original design and architecture.

In Pompeii their were four common style for wall paintings and architectural effects. The first style involved stucco walls that was used to resemble marble. The second style is emphasized by paintings of columns and architectural details. The third style had more intricate details. Lastly, the fourth style involved wall paintings that had panoramic scenes.

 
First Style (300-100 B.C.E.)
 
 
 
Second Style (100-20 B.C.E.)
 
 
Third Style (20 to 50 C.E.)

 


Fourth Style (40-79 C.E.)

 

For furniture, Pompeii had the same style as their Roman ancestors. They used the same form for their couches and chairs, these designs are still commonly used during this current era.

 Roman Style Couch

  
This is a modern verison of a Roman style chair.
 

One of the most popular works of Pompeii is the style of the Forum which worked as a common meeting place along with markets, courthouses, and common offices being aligned the outer edge of the space. This is now a common thing in all towns and cities done modernly today.


  
What the forum would have looked like during the time of Pompeii.

 
This is an example of a modern day forum, many
shops and office spaces are inculded along this strip.

For Pompeii I viewed Kristina P. and Paige's blogs. Kristina showed many images of past Pompeii and current Pompeii, she also discussed how perserved the city was because it was half buried. Paige discussed the four styles of Pompeii and how many of the wall murals resembled marble or other types of stones. Both blogs were very interesting and helped me view Pompeii in a more artisitic way.
 
References
All other information was taken by the textbook, History of Furniture by Mark Hinchman
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Monday, February 3, 2014

Byzantine


The Byzantine era was one of the longest eras of its time and lasted between 324 C.E. to 1453. The Byzantine culture and architectural elements were influenced mainly by the Greeks. This era gave many ideas to the making of European medival designs because of the architectural design elements that were established during this time period.
 
An interesting and monumental structure of the Byzantine period is the Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia was created and designed during the Byzantine period and was created as a multi-dome structure to out-do all other structures before its time. The Hagia Sophia was created between 532 and 537 C.E. The dome brings light and height to the space with the use of tall walls and numerous amounts of windows.

 

 
A multi-dome orthodox church in Skopje, inspired by the Hagia Sophia and its multi-dome structure.
 
 
Use of columns in the Hagia Sophia shows the unique details during the Byzantine period and how those details are displayed today.



From the ideas and influences of the Romans, furniture of that time period was duplicated to the style of the Byzantine era. For example, the x-frame stool, which was based off the original design from the Romans and used with a Byzantine twist. This stool is now used modernly in current furniture styles.













For the Byzantine era, I looked at Yo's and Megan's Blogs. Yo discussed the use of pendentive style and how the style went beyond what the Romans had started. He also discussed how the dome structure wnet beyond a one-directional angle and was used, as he said a "four directional elevation view." Megan discussed and showed an image of fashion and how it was incorperated in Byzantine design and how it is used today.

References
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Early Christian

The Early Christian period ranged from the time period of 330-800 B.C.E. This particular period is called Early Christian because it was the beginning of Christianity as a religion and brought some of the first architectural designs from Christians.
 
A great example of one of the first structures built by the Early Christians was in Italy and was known as Sant' Apollinare. It was one of the first structures built that displayed the basilica form of the Christian design. The classic design draws the viewer to the end of the space to worship. Also in the Sant' Apollinare there is great use of columns along the sides of the basilica which brings length and texture to the simple deisgn of the straight basilica. The shape of the original deisgned church of Christianity is continuously used modernly today.



 

With the forming of the new religion of Christianity, different motifs and art designs also became recognized during this period. Some of these distinctive symbols for Christianity include: crosses, dove, fish, grapevine, and the lamb. All of these motifs that were established so long ago are still commonly used in Christian design today.



 
 
For Early Christianity I viewed John's and Emily P.'s posts. John had many interesting views and points of the catacombs of the Early Christians and how they used such structures to bury the dead. He also discussed the symbol of the fish and how it is commonly used today. Emily discussed different forms of furniture and how storage was greatly inportant to Christians and how their designs of benches used as storage is used during this time period also.
 

References
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