Classical Civilization Rome

Roman style of architecture is vey similar to Classical Greece.  One of the major discoveries of this time was the discovery of concrete.  It's interesting to learn that concrete goes as far back as the Roman Empire when we see it every where around us to this day.  Columns were still very decorative and became even more structural because of the discovery of concrete.  Buildings were still constructed with the post and lintel style that the Greeks used.  A difference that I noticed between the Greeks and Romans was that the Greeks seemed to use a lot of straight lines and edges while the Romans now introduced domes, arches and vaulted ceilings.  The Colosseum and Pantheon are two examples of massive structures that the Romans were now able to build due to discovering concrete.
                    
The Colosseum seats at least 50,000, is made of concrete and stone, is a prototype of a sports arena, and shows the use of the arch and barrel vault.











The Pantheon was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian, it has a round temple with a dome, it is the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome of the world, Oculus- 142 feet in diameter/142 feet high.













Roman interior design consists of mosaics, stucco and frescoes.  Romans are known for having extravagant floors with patterns lots of landscape views either framed or painted.

Ancient Roman Interior Design
- Detailed Patterned Floor
- Landscape murals
- Arched Ceiling











Current Application of Roman Architecture
- Very Ornate
- Use of Columns
- Pattern on Floor
- Minimal Furniture






 
 






<------ Classical Application

                 Chair = "Cathedra"

 

                 Stool = "sella"



Modern Application



Classical Greece Discussion

I looked at Leslie's and Lindsay's blogs for the lesson about the Classical Greek Civilization.  I really enjoyed reading Leslies blog because it was very in depth and actually taught me some things that I hadn't previously learned.  She took a step further and talked a lot about the classical orders and architecture of Classical Greece.  I previously knew about the 3 most common classical orders, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, but didn't really know the meanings and background about each of those.  Leslie showed me which was more feminine, delicate, decorative and that Doric columns have been around the longest.  She also posted a great video that mentions the other two classical orders that aren't very common.  It was a cool change to watch something different than just reading.  I chose Lindsay's blog because she focused on the Parthenon and the Greece motif and key like I did. She chose modern day applications that showed great examples of the Greek motif/key and how it can be used in textiles, furniture and paintings. 


You can view their blogs here:

Leslie: http://www.history1lad.blogspot.com/
Lindsay: http://www.history1lcb.blogspot.com/

Classical Civilization Greece

I was really excited to learn more about Greece because I have done previous research on Greece and have enjoyed what I've read.  This classical period tool place between 323-30 B.C. One thing that I did learn was that the climate was very drastic.  It was either very hot or bitter cold....Brrrrrrrrrrr! We all know what cold weather feels like. The dry climate was perfect for preservation and creating lots of pottery. The Greek were and still are known for artwork on pottery and walls as well as using lots of marble in their designs.  I have previously learned about the Classic Orders of Architecture (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), but I learned about the systems of the columns and how they were made.  I didn't realize how much work it would have been for the builders back then to create structure without columns. 

The detail of all three columns really embrace the character that the Classical Greece Civilization portrays.

One of my favorite pictures of The Parthenon displaying those famous columns.

 

 

Current Applications

 

Modern pottery symbolizing Greek goddess and pattern for the border.

 

Marble bathtub below Greek artwork

 

Inspiration




Ancient Egyptian Civilization Discussion

I looked at Dana and Ariana's blogs for the chapter on Ancient Egyptian Civilization.  Dana's blog stood out to me because we both posted a picture of a chair that looked very similar.  She also talked a lot about the details and craftsmanship of furniture in this era. Also, her current applications shown are easy to understand and see the similarities of back then and the modern times we live in.  Ariana took a different approach and focused more on parts of the Egyptian style that she really likes and looks for today in design.  Her love for Acacia wood really encouraged me to do a little bit of research on that and see how I can incorporate that wood into aspects of my design style.

You can view their blogs here:

Dana- http://www.fcs338dthomas.blogspot.com/p/ancient-civilization-egypt.html
Ariana- http://www.history1ah.blogspot.com/

Ancient Civilization

Prehistoric Period

When looking back at the time period of 5,000 B.C.E - 600 B.C.E I would describe this time period to be consisted of skin and bones.  The people of this time definitely had to use their resources and any natural materials found around them.  Making sure their houses were made of durable materials was important for this time because of weather conditions and limited resources.  I really enjoyed the topic of the Skara Brae village because it shows how minimally they lived.  There were lots of storage opportunities carved out of stone to hold items such as food or articles of clothing.  A very limited amount of furniture and fabrics were used almost giving off a cold environment, in my opinion.

Ancient Egypt

Egyptian civilization was around the time of 3150 B.C.  Egypt was much known for the Nile river and the geographical aspects that came along with that.  Some of these aspects consist of agriculture, transportation and communication.  The Egyptians were very fond of using wood and stone that led them to creating the post and beam that was very similar to the post and lintel look from the prehistoric period.  In the interior of their dwellings, mural paintings, otherwise known as Fresco, were very common. Many advancements were made in architecture, technology and art during the Egyptian period.



Ancient Egyptian Interior Then....
....And now!

Furniture

The Egyptians were all about using details and techniques. Furniture was influenced by religion and social hierarchy.  Windows consisted of openwork screens while doors had crowning cornices.  If furniture was made of wood it was usually acacia.  If not, most wood was imported from Mediterranean, North African and West Asian countries.

Then...


...Now