Step by Step

Architecture: The Science of Design

1.)

    1.       Skyscrapers are made out of concrete and steel but yet it still does not stop wind from damaging  them.  Whirlwinds make tall buildings sway. The higher the building the more the affect.

    2.       Super structure and substructures make up the two parts in constructing a skyscraper.

3. Trees can be planted at the base that can help reduce the impact of wind against a building.

4. Computers can be used to change the internal temp of a room when desired, start brewing coffee at a particular time, turn on music, and even open the blinds at your convenience. This advance in technology is available but obviously very expensive.

5. Concrete is a combination of sand, pebbles, and cement.

6. Bars of metal are placed within concrete to provide additional reinforcement.

7. Concrete is placed underwater using a “hopper” which acts as a funnel.

2.) The video closely relates to the book because it analyzes the various ways architect’s design buildings and what needs to be looked at before production begins. For instance, what materials to use, dimensions, and what how the weather conditions could affect the structures wear and tear. The book goes more into different styles of architectural designs so it was a nice off set of one another.

3.) I thought the video was very interesting because I enjoy seeing how things are made, especially buildings and bridges. I’m deathly afraid of heights so it always baffles me that people actually put their lives out there to build structures of such a high elevation. It added depth to my understanding of Architecture because even though I knew weather would play a role in how designs become a reality, I had no idea just how much it impacted structures. I also was not aware of the different kinds of concrete and that metal is sometimes placed in concrete to provide additional support. My only wish was to watch more about how bridges are made but I quickly found a video just like this one!

4.) I chose this one only after watching a couple minutes of the first one, “Prairie Style”, because the material wasn’t sinking in. It kept losing my interest. Then when I clicked, “Architecture: The Science of Design”, I was hooked!

I M. Pei and the Mathematics of Architecture

1.)

1. Pei was sent to modernize the Louvre.

2. The “center of gravity” was the center of the pyramid and that’s where they wanted the entrance to be.

3. Because of the transparency of the pyramid, it allows for us to see the other buildings of the Louvre clearly.

4. Form, light, shape, space, texture, and color are all major categories that turn Geometry into a work of architecture.

5. The old model was used to work in what worked and what needed work for the future.

6. The triangular shape Pei chose to work with went well when looking to maximize space.

7. He doesn’t like to use labels because they come and they go but architecture of whatever era it may be it what’s long lasting. – Interesting concept! (It takes all the “isms” out)

8. He feels architecture needs time to develop, that there’s no instant gratification.

9. He didn’t originally think he should take up architecture because he couldn’t draw.

10. Design developed into architecture.

2.) The text gives us examples of artists and their work all the time so I felt that this video was an extended version of that. It reminded me specifically of the pages in the book that are literally dedicated to one artist. For example, the page dedicated to, Frank Lloyd Wright.

3.) This video was different from the previous one in the fact that it specifically focused on the Louvre rather than taking a deep look into how multiple structures that have similarities work together. I think it was a perfect combination because I was able to take a broader look at how architects work on a wide range and then followed it up with seeing the life of one architect in particular and all the work that comes into play for him as an individual.

4.) I chose this video because visiting France is on my “I wish” list. The Louvre is one place that I’d love to see while in France and I felt it would be interesting to hear about. I would’ve never guessed that such extensive work went into remodeling it, nor did I know it was remodeled in the first place. When I imagine old building and museums that hold such a tremendous amount of history, I seem to think that they are never touched and that what we see today is exactly how it was decades and decades ago. I’m learning that I’m a little naive these days.