Greek

The Greek Civilization was the beginning of western culture and introduced philosophy, science, fine arts, geography, medicine, legal systems, and astronomy. The most important surviving building in Greece is known as the Parthenon which was discovered in the golden age during 480-400 B.C. It generally considered the culmination of the Doric order. The Greek Civilization developed the bowed in center of buildings and columns were designed for an inward incline. The interior architecture of flooring was plastered and painted and this symbolized wealth. Mosaic techniques were also used as design made from pebbles, glass, and stone. Motifs were also used such as the Greek Fret or Key. The furniture that was used during this time is known as thronos, klismos, kline, and diphros. Rounded shaped legs of chairs were also invented during this time.

Thronos chair

  Klismos chair

Kline chair

  Greek flooring and Key.

Current Applications:

Rome

During this period buildings were constructed with post and lintels much like the Greeks and the columns were decorative and structural. This was also a time when concrete was discovered. A famous building known as the Colosseum was made of concrete and stone and it was constructed with arch and barrel vaults. Another building in Rome known as the Pantheon built in 126 A.D is the worlds largest unreinforced concrete domes in the world. It is constructed as a round temple with a dome. The Roman sequence of the Corinthian columns involves the podium, columns, entablature, and pediment. The residential dwellings consisted of Insulas which were a block of buildings surrounded by streets. Domus is considered to be a private townhouse of the wealthy and finally the villas are known to be a country house. Below are pictures showing the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

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Ancient Civilization

During the Ancient Civilization period, architecture was used to distinguish the different types of classes of people. For example, a craftsman residence would be for the lower class and a country villa would be owned by the upper class. The interior and decorations would determine the hierarchal status. Also during this time is when most advances were made in architecture and written laws were also made. Larger scale buildings were becoming more popular. Religion became more known and the belief of life after death was something that was practiced by many. Temples were made in the hypostyle which means hallways with high ceilings that were supported by columns. The society was made up of different classes with kings being at the top and peasants at the lower hierarchy. Trade was an important source for food and supplies. The Nile river made it an easy transport for building materials and communication. Walls were made from plaster and paintings were carved in bricks. The flooring was made from mud and stone. This was a time where design became more known and used on many items such as walls, floors, windows, and furniture.

The great temple of Karnak- Largest and most significant, religious complex in the world.

The Nile River-Supplied Egypt

An example of a hypostyle temple.

Peer Review: Alecia described the ancient civilization period to be a new age where accomplishments have been made with design and the use of mathematics in Mesopotamia. She also talks about how stone and wood were available but were also very expensive. I thought she did a good job explaining this era and gave pictures as examples of the designs in stone carvings.

Current Applications: 

 

pre-historic period

During the pre-historic period was a time where many homes were built for safety rather than style. The tools used to build these homes were items that were found such as stone or wood. During this time, underground homes or caves were very common and these were the first kind of shelter offered for the human race. Furniture artifact was also created with wood and stone. Animals and plant forms were used as blankets. A famous monument that is still standing today known as stonehenge is an example of an ancient burial ground that resembles a famous form of architecture that was hand built. Pattern and design was used with weaving blankets, baskets, rugs and clothing. Below are pictures of these ancient artifacts.

 

Current Applications:

Peer review: I thought Haley Hofman explained the pre-historic period very well and included all the details such as how people's main focus was on shelter and food and describes how people lived in a community type of place where everyone worked together to obtain food and shelter. she also explained how design and color were used to define religion or loyalty. lastly she listed the types of shelter and homes people lived in. for example she used caves as one of the main types homes.