Architecture. The architect.
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures. Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction space that reflects functional, social and aesthetic consideration. It requires the manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow. Architecture also includes the pragmatic aspects of realizing designed space, such as project planning, cost estimate and construction administration. A widen definition may comprise all design activity from the macro-level (urban design, landscape architecture) to the micro-level (construction details and furniture). [In fact, architecture today may refer to the activity of designing any kind of system and is often used in the IT world.]
Time is also an important factor in architecture, since a building is usually comprehended in a succession of experience rather than all at once.
Architectural works are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art. Historical civilization is often identified with its surviving architectural achievements. The analysis of building types provides an insight into past cultures and eras. [Behind each of the greater style lies not a casual trend but a period of serious and urgent experimentation directed toward answering the needs of a specific way of life.] Climate, methods of lab our, available materials and economy of means-all are taken into account. Each of the greater styles has been aided by the discovery of new construction methods. The evolutionary process is exemplified by the history of modern architecture, which developed from the first uses of structural iron and steel in the mid-19th century.
Architects plan, design and review the construction of buildings and components with consideration to mass, space, form, volume, texture, structure, light, shadow, materials, program and pragmatic elements such as cost, construction limitation and technology, to achieve an end which is usually functional, economical, practical and often artistic. [This distinguishes architecture from engineering design which has as its primary object the creative manipulation of materials and forms using mathematical and scientific principles.] As documentation is produced by architects, typically drawings, plans and technical specifications, architects define the structure and/or behavior of a building or any other kind system that is to be or has been constructed.
Ex. I. Find the equivalents:
| Achievement | тень |
| Reflect | отличать |
| Volume | ландшафт |
| Shadow | творческий |
| Distinguish | объем |
| Behavior | отражать |
| Urban | относиться к. . . |
| Landscape | городской |
| Refer to | достижение |
| Creative | поведение |
Ex. II. Translate the following:
- project planning
- project model; project model planning; project model planning control.
- cost estimate; construction cost estimate; construction materials cost estimate.
- rainwater collectors; rainwater collectors design; rainwater collectors design discussion.
- proportion rules; building proportion rules; building proportion rules study.
Ex.III. Translate the following:
a) . . . both materials and technology;
. . . both traditional architecture and modern architecture;
. . . both mathematical and scientific principles’
. . . учитывать и форму и функцию;
. . . как культурные, так и политические символы;
. . . как городская, так и ландшафтная архитектура;
b) . . . is to be constructed;
. . . is to be reduced;
. . . are to be simplified;
. . . должны быть спланированы;
. . . должен быть использован;
. . . должны быть оценены
Ex. IV. Find wrong statements. Prove your choice.
1. Such factor as time should be considered in architecture.
2. Only functional and social aspects are important in the process of planning, designing and construction.
3. Such building materials as steel and iron were widely used in ancient construction.
4. Existing architectural works of the past often help to discover and understand history of civilization.
Additional text A
ARCHITECTURAL THEORY
The earliest written work on the subject of architecture is “De Architectura” by the Roman architect Vitruvius a good building should satisfy the three principles:
-durability – it should stand up strongly and a long time and remain good condition;
-utility –it should be useful and function well for the people using it;
-beauty – it should delight people and raise their spirits.
According to Vitruvius, the architect should try to fulfill each of these three attributes as well as possible. Leone Alberti who elaborates the ideas of Vitruvius in his treatise* saw beauty primarily as a matter of proportion, although ornament also played a part. For Alberti, the rules of proportion were those that governed the idealized human figure, the Golden mean**. The most important part of an object, rather than something applied superficially; and was based on universal, recognizable truths. The notion of style in the arts was not developed until the 16th century. The treatises had been translated into Italian, French, Spanish and English by the 18th century.
In the early nineteenth century Augustus Pugin wrote “Contrasts” that, as the title suggested, contrasted the modern, industrial world which he disparaged*** with an idealized image of neo-medieval world. Gothic architecture Pugin believed, was the only “true Christian form of architecture.”
The 19th century English art critic, John Ruskin, in his “Seven Lamps of Architecture”, published in 1849, was much narrower in his view of what constituted architecture. Architecture was the “contribute to his mental health, power and pleasure”.
For Ruskin, the aesthetic was of extreme significance. His work goes on to state that a building is not truly a work of architecture unless it is in some way “adorned”. For Ruskin, a well-constructed, well-proportioned functional building needed rustication****.
On the difference between the ideals of “architecture” and mere “construction” , the renowned 20th century architect Le Corbusier wrote: “You employ stone, wood and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces: that is construction. Art is at work. But suddenly you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and say: This is beautiful. That is Architecture.”
* - treatise – трактат
** - the Golden mean – золотая середина
*** - to disparage – относиться пренебрежительно
**** - rustication – рустовка (строительный термин)
Additional text B