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.