Greek Architecture

  Greek architecture for me was very influential in terms of design and matter of construction since Greek architecture can still be seen today. Most influential part of their architecture would be the columns which consisted of three orders the doric, ionic, and corinthian. The Doric order was the simplest of the three, Ionic had a circular type of head, the Corinthian order was the most extravagant it had leaf like patterns adorning the head of the column. The Greeks were also famous for their temples dedicated to their Gods probably most famous of them all is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena or Pallas Athena. Also one more thing worth mentioning is that Greeks love the arts so in every town they constructed theaters in order to serve their passion for the arts. However architects of their time are not well renowned since like Iktinos, the architect of the Parthenon, who we consider a genius if he existed in our time is nothing more than a master tradesman or craftsman.

  The column orders were important in their architecture because it was always present in their buildings and structures. The type of order used would define the importance and value of the structure, it was like a status symbol. The orders are still existent today because not only were they functional but they were also aesthetic they would serve both the purpose of a support as well as design. Another facet of their architecture that is worth mentioning is how their temples are oriented. According to my research the temples of the Greek are sometimes oriented astronomically, this I don't know why but it may be because their belief that the stars and planets are holy and they represent doorways to heaven. One good thing about history is that we can always look back and get ideas from the past and Greek architecture, for me, is a source of ideas for design but in a nutshell Greek Architecture as a whole is very classical and traditional in terms of design.

Egyptian Architecture

    Egyptian architecture for me was very monumental in the history of architecture since most of the structures in that age have survived up until today which allowed  us to study and learn more about the culture and history of ancient Egyptian civilization. This was because of the material they used which was sun baked mud brick, stone, limestone, sandstone and granite. Which made the buildings more resistant to changes, effects and decaying thus their structures are still standing up to today. Notable structures are the Pyramids at Giza, Great Sphinx of Giza, Temple of Luxor and Karnak. The Pyramids of Giza were built during the fourth dynasty and they testify the power and influence of the rulers of Egypt or the pharaohs since they would employ slaves in order to build those gigantic monuments while only using manual labor. Most of us might believe that the interiors of the Pyramids of Giza are built to confuse however this is false since according to the section plan that was presented by the reporters the route inside is very straight - forward and leads immediately to the tombs. The great sphinx of Giza is also very monumental since its the largest monolith structure in the world. The temple of Luxor is a huge temple complex and was built by Amenhotep III and was later reconstructed over and over by different pharaohs adding and removing elements from the Temple. One very recognizable element of the Temple is the hypostyle columns that can be seen in its southern courtyard this 36 column court leads to the inner sanctums of the temple which begins with a Dark chamber instead of an antechamber. The temple of Karnak is also a huge temple complex with over 30 pharaohs contributing to its construction. 

    In a nutshell, Egyptian architecture provided us with an insight to the past of this civilization since they mostly decorated their walls and columns with stories depicting events that are happening within and outside the kingdom. Egyptian architecture was a great stepping stone in the advancement of architecture since the structures offered ideas on new designs and methods of construction. But most of Egyptian Architecture left a milestone not only in the architecture but also in the history of the world because up until today we can see the structures that were built during that time.

B-POD Sketch Model on Illustration Board

West Asiatic Architecture

        West asiatic architecture was mainly composed of Babylonian, Assyrian and Persian architecture. It was very ingenious of them to think of using sun dried bricks as their basic material. Since geologically speaking stone and timber was very scarce there, the only alternative was for them to use clay which they formed to bricks and alabaster. Babylonians and Assyrians mainly used this method however they differ from each other since Babylonians used glazed brickwork while Assyrians used glowing alabaster. Persians were different since they lived on the uplands and they used limestone as their primary material. Architecture back then was not merely a necessity unlike Prehistoric architecture in this period we can see that people are starting to become somehow aesthetic and yet still functional since they elevated their platforms in order to avoid insects and miasmas also they had an early version of urban planning wherein even chariots were able to move freely within the city. I liked how the babylonians were able to think of the idea to use clay in order to mold bricks and there were also varying colors to their bricks which made them more interesting and beautiful to look at. I was most fascinated with the hanging garden, how they were able to construct such a thing?, how did water pump up to water the garden?, those were just the few questions that come popping in my mind every time I visualize the hanging gardens if it were still standing today It would be one of the world's most magnificent work of architecture even though it was from an older time.

         Persian architecture was also very fascinating since they fused what they already have with Assyrian, Egyptian and Greek architecture in order to from a new style of their own. If anyone has ever seen the movie the "Prince of Persia" that, I think, is the best representation of what Persia looks like since they had amazing and large courtyards, giant flight of steps, and rows and rows of columns that were borrowed from the Greeks. Without a doubt my favorite in this period is Persian architecture since they were the mix of the other styles but it didn't appear like scrambled if there were weren't subtle hints of other styles present it was really their own.

B-POD :))

R.I.P. OFF!!! (Sydney Opera House)

Sydney Opera House

Philosophy: Thinking outside the Box

Design Concept: Asymmetry and Symmetry 

Concept: Precast concrete panels with precast concrete ribs for support

Working Concept: Eureka Moment/Creative Moment; Sudden or unexpected creation of design 

R.I.P. OFF!!! (Taj Mahal)

Taj Mahal

Philosophy: Built to Last

Design Concept: Form with Function

Concept: White Marble dome

Working Concept: Eternal Love; What started out as an expression of love became an icon for design that lasted for centuries 

R.I.P. OFF!!! (Burj Khalifa)

 

BURJ KHALIFA

Philosophy: Aim for the top

Design Concept: "The Hymenocallis"

Concept: Y - shaped Plans/Buttressed Core which made the structure more stable

Working Concept: Flamboyant, Ambitious = Bold Designs, Greater Fame

Lessons of the Day :))

       This would be my first time writing something not related to school work so if anyone might stumble upon this just bear with me alright? :) I just wanted to write so that I could get the negative emotions out of me since writing is really a way for me to loosen up and unstress my life(is unstress even a word?). I still haven't had enough sleep because of school work. Mainly it was because of  the overload of works in ADESPRN and HSTARC1 however it was also my fault since I didn't start working on them early. That gives way to Lesson 1; never ever take design foundation subjects for granted because if you do Sir Jimmy will and can kill you with an overdose of assignments, no offense Sir Jimmy :) but anyways cramming, most of the time, doesn't work and it'll leave you stressed out for most of the week so next time I'm not gonna do that anymore.

      Insights for today, well  I think I learned something really valuable today. I don't know how to make those sketch models! Damn, my work today was very shitty and I'm glad Sir Jimmy didn't laugh that much at my poor models(I really need to learn how to make those damned models). Or maybe I just got confused with the instructions since I was doing, for the most part of the activity, a complicated part of the building made by Libeskind whilst the others were just doing basic shapes. Which takes me to Lesson 2 and 3; See what others are doing first before you jump straight in and always ask questions, they don't hurt. Yeah I might suck now at sketch modeling but wait till I learn it, my work ain't going to be shitty anymore but it would be "amazing shit" :) but I gotta learn first before it becomes that and tomorrow I'm going to start working on everything since there's a two day break and hopefully I can finish everything by Friday night. So now I just wanna rest and relax since tomorrow would be another back breaking day. Good Night! :))  

Title Block and Personal Logo

Architects I Look Up To

I don't really have have much idea regarding which architect I can emulate but by researching the styles that I want to emulate I was able to find famous architects who I believe I can look up to one that I found was Architect Thom Mayne a Los Angeles based architect whose work revolves around the philosophy of "Morphosis" which means producing a work that has meaning but is only understandable by absorbing the culture for which it was made. I would look up to him not only because I like his work but I like because of how Thom Mayne does it he does his work with heart. He creates not only for the sake of it but he creates because he has meaning for it. When I become an architect I want to be like that too. I don't want to do things half - heartedly  I always want to give my 100% in everything.

Next in my list would be Architect Daniel H. Burnham. He lived way back in the 1860's and his work spanned form there to 1912 I like his works because he dealt with urban planning a specialization in architecture I want to learn since urban planning was necessary not only for aesthetic purposes but also for function because it would improve the already built economic and social environments of communities. I know that learning urban planning is no easy task but it is something I really want to learn because I feel that it is also something we need in our country in order to progress especially here in Manila and the other rural provinces in our country.

  

Finally I would like to emulate a Filipino Architect and I believe the best choice was Architect Leandro V. Locsin. I want to emulate him because I like how he chose to work extensively here in the Philippines and that somehow I relate to his story of having to shift from degree to another degree because it wasn't what I really wanted for myself. Also I like his works because they were beautiful for example was the Cultural Center of The Philippines, Church of the Holy Sacrifice, and the Cine Adarna which is situated in UP Diliman. Leandro Locsin's works would serve as inspiration for me now as a student and even if I'm already working professionally.

   These are the three architects I want to emulate. I want to emulate them not only because of their works but because of how their works and their background inspire me to be better than what I am now. 

Prehistoric Architecture

  Listening to the presentation for prehistoric architecture was a bit boring yet interesting. Boring in a way because the reporters were lacking gusto in their reports, also some just read what was written in their notes or their powerpoints also it was a bit dragging. It was interesting in a way because knowing that people even used their own feces to create things was ingenious even though it is not really aesthetic. I was also very curious about how they were able to build the cromlechs and dolmens or even something as intricate as the stonehenge because just by looking at those stones they look really really heavy and it would be really hard to carry or to even mount just by raw human effort. Prehistoric architecture also showed how the humans back then lived shepherds whose flock they have to follow constructed tents that are easy to assemble and disassemble in order to keep up with their flock. Architecture back then was not really very aesthetic but was generally only for the use of humans back then. Basically, they use what they see back and immediately convert it into their settlement, burial sites. etc for example caves, during the time of the stone age this was the most basic kind of dwelling since it provides shelter from the weather and a place for people to sleep in but as time progressed humans discovered way to bring their home with them since they were mostly living a nomadic way of life. They constructed tents which are very handy since they can easily set it up and if they need to move they would either leave it there or disassemble it and bring it with them. Back then architecture was a necessity and way for humans to protect themselves against nature, wild beasts or even other humans. Since they were mostly living a barbaric way of life skins of their prey were used for wall coverings, roofs and clothing. Skins of animals were mostly used by the farmers and gatherers for their make shift tents. But what is important that prehistoric architecture paved the way for more ideas and designs that would lead up to modern architecture which is today without the simple cromlech or dolmen there would be no beams and columns the idea would have not existed. So prehistoric architecture as crude and simple it may be was a vital step in the formation of what architecture is today.

Manifesto

      For me architecture is something tangible yet intangible, tangible in the sense that we can see architecture all around us, intangible because not everyone can understand the meaning within the design or not everyone can hear the voice of the designer. I want to be an architect not only because I love architecture but I also want to improve human lives by not only designing but also making my designs useful to people. Being an architect it is very hard to stand out since there are a lot of ideas out there that are waiting to be found out. I believe that my chance to stand out is utilizing my own strengths which is being resourceful and creative. I want to use these strengths in order to forge my own identity as an architect which by now I still have no idea how but I am willing to learn. I also want other people to look at my work and they would be and they would be able to see who I am just by looking at my work. I want them to see that I am a very laidback, easy - going, carefree yet I am someone who I believe that can be depended on. I want people not only to view my work aesthetically but also see the emotions that have been embedded within it. I hope that by honing my skills I would be able to stir the emotions of anyone who is looking at my art.

       In the future I think I would be working in a firm but I would have my own studio or office where I can accept other works. I plan not only to focus on planning or designing structures but on other branches of architecture as well especially landscaping and urban development. Designs that fascinate me are those that simple yet elaborate. Simple in a way that when you look at the work it seems pretty easy however the details are very meticulous and precise. But sometimes I feel confused when looking at works that are abstract in design I find it hard to understand the meaning of such a work. However since we are all artists sometimes no one would be able to understand our work only us. Since each and every one of us is driven with different inspirations it maybe money, career, or just passion for the arts. In our profession, passion is very important  since it not only drives us but it makes us immune through the mechanical process of our work since we are loving what we are doing and it doesn't bother us even if what we are doing is repetitive and calculated but I believe that we should also learn  how to deal with our clients making them understand and see our work in a simple way so that they may come to realize that what they're looking at is not only a piece of paper with floor plans, details, or sketches but it is work of art and that they may come to appreciate it.