OVERVIEW: Writing about architectural history brings together factual evidence and interpretive explanation inan attempt to bring to life settings and activities that have been lost to the passage of time. Thistask is more or less difficult depending on the richness of the physical material and historicalrecords left behind which speaks of the architecture, and also our knowledge of the cultures thatbuilt it. In this essay you are asked to explore how the architecture of your assigned building manifests in relation to its context, structure, and tectonics. This assignment is meant to provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge regarding your assigned building. The final two assignments will build on this knowledge and ask you to generate your own analysis on the building and synthesis it into clear and communicative writing and graphics.
TASK: For your assigned research topic, you will write a 1200-1500 word descriptive essay that provides an overview of the building. You should focus your information on the following topics:
1)Who made it/for whom it was made.
2)Historical context in which it was built.
3)Site and orientation.
4)Spatial organization,
5)Relative dimensions.
6)Construction techniques.
7)Structural system.
8)Material pallet .
9)Qualitative effects and atmospheres.
10)Response to environment
You are also asked to include high quality graphic material to accompany the text. Images should respond to the overview topics and include building plans, site plans/maps, sections, major structural elements, details, (e.g. column capitals, sculptural/decorative details, windows, doors, construction joints), and at least one diagram.
