Egypt, Mesopotamia & Nubia

This time period started around 4,000 BC when larger towns and cities started to appear. At this point, people had food and shelter secured so they started to focus more on the arts that can be applied to interiors. When it came to size and structure of buildings, it was used to distinguish different classes of people. Because of this, architecture was used to show power. During this time there were huge advances in architecture, mathematics, written law, and sculpture. In Egypt, the finest artifacts where stored in the pyramids to preserve them, Egypt is located along the Nile River. Because of the Egyptian people settling here, they had agricultural production, transportation of building materials, communication and trade. One huge trade item Egypt would get imported from Lebanon is timber. Because Egypt was able to use this material, they made many modifications in their construction. Other materials they used for their construction were mud, wood and stone for walls, bricks and the post beam construction from the prehistoric period. The climate also had an influence on the interiors. Because of their minimal rainfall, intense sunlight, and little variation in temperature, they had flat roofs, outdoor spaces, certain window placements, and roof ventilators. They also used very rich materials and certain colors that influenced the Art Deco period.

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Current Application:



Extra Credit: How to build a Pyramid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lotbZQ55SgU

Review

Alex- I really liked how Alex decided to focus her blog post on the prehistoric period on just igloos. She explained why people built them, how they build them and what people would do about their living situation when it was no longer winter.

Amanda- Amanda's blog was very informative on this time period. I really liked the images she chose to represent the prehistoric period in present day. They were very unique and went along with this time period very well.

Prehistoric Period

The prehistoric period one of the styles of antiquity when it comes to early design. During this time there were influence on how these primitive homes where made. These include geographic location, such as arctic and the Sahara Desert, and available materials to the people. The materials used by these people were for them to construct their own homes. The only homes we see still today from this time period are ones made out of stone due to it being a sustainable material used during that time. The patterns and designs used in these self-constructed homes were made of weaving. These people weaved things like blankets, baskets, rugs and clothing. The patterns used were rarely ornamental. There were also certain colors used that served purpose and meaning to their society, tribal loyalties and religion. As for the furniture used, although it was very minimal, it was handmade from wood and stone. These people also incorporated artifacts that could be found in caves that used human, animal and plant forms that were painted using charcoal and orche pigments. Design from this period was mostly for functional reasons. For this time period, functional for the people meant survival. The way these people would go about constructing their homes were based off of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.  In 1940, France discovered a caved that was preserved from this time period called the Laxcaux. It was the earliest example of homes during the prehistoric period. Within the cave there were over 2,000 figures of abstract designs that still is there today. Another example of a home from the prehistoric period was the Skara-brae. This home was found in Scottland that had built in furniture. A type of architecture that was built during this time that we also can see today is the Stonehenge that is an example of the first time post and lintel construction was used.

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Current Applications:


Using post and lintel construction

Extra Credit: How to build and prehistoric house
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Reav7ZnOrw8

Reviews

Ashley- Ashley's blog on Post-Modernism/Contemporary design was full of information on all of the important architects and designers during that time. She went into great detail on all of the buildings and chairs that were designed that impacted this periods design style. The images she chose showed the work that was done by these famous architects and designers that really help me understand what this design movement looked like.

Stephanie- Stephanie's post on Post-Modernism was full of information on the important architects and designers as well. She included a lot of detail along with a great video on the Vanna Venturi House that was very informational. The images she included were very interesting. She not only shows examples of chairs that were designed during that time, but chairs in interiors that represented that design movement as well.

Post Modernism

The Post Modernism movement consisted of many important architects and designers. Robert Venturi thought of modernism as too simplistic and limited that equaled boredom and dullness. His famous quote is, "less is bore". He believed greatness in modern design is complexity and contradiction. The New York Five was a group of 5 post modernism architects in New York City. The group included Peter Eisenman, Michael Graves, Charles Gwathmey, John Hejduk, and Ricjard Meier. Peter Eisenman was referred to as a deconstructivist, which includes a design with a fragmented exterior with an unpredictable design. Michael Graves embraced more decorative detail with strong color and forms. He also designed some kitchen elements for Target. Richard Meier had a geometric style using the color white. A more futuristic architect was Rem Koolhaas. He had designs that included bridges, hi-tech designs and deconstructivist concepts. He designed a building called the Mansion Bordeaux that included an interior living space on an elevator that could move to several different locations. Another important architect was I.M. Pei. He rejected the ideas of post modernism and reflected designs of early modern concepts. Today, the direction of the design is becoming more green and including LEED certification.

Images:

Chippendale Chair by Robert Venturi


Teapot by Michael Graves, sold at Target


Charles Gwathmey's residence and studio

Current Applications:

Current application of Richard Meier's geometric forms using white.


Use of post beams and opening up the space.

Extra Credit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsV1axPJpLY

Review

Holli- I loved that Holli's blog was full of information on the landmarks she wanted to visit the most out of all the landmarks that were presented in class. She loaded each landmark with fun facts which made me just as interested to visit them. She covered all the information that was in the brochure of Dubai.

Tiziri- I loved how Tiziri  talked about how she has always wanted to go to Dubai and how much she loved the presentation on it. She explained which landmarks she would enjoy going to and why. I also liked the images she chose. Especially the one with comparing the different heights of the popular towers, I found that very interesting.

Bucket List

After all the groups presented landmarks from their country of choice, the country I want to visit the most is Dubai. Amanda, Paige and Rachel chose very interesting landmarks to present from Dubai. The buildings and places they researched were the Burj Al Arab, the Burj Kahlifia, Ski Dubai, The Palm Islands, the Infinity Tower, and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Out of all of those, my favorites were Ski Dubai, The Palm Islands and the Infinity Tower. Ski Dubai was built in 2005 and is a popular hotel Dubai. What makes this hotel so popular is its indoor skiing with real snow that is year round inside the hotel. The Palm Islands were created in 2014. They added on 323 miles to the coast line of Dubai. The infinity Tower was built in 2006. It goes 1000 feet in the air and is the world's tallest high-rise building. Overall Amanda, Paige and Rachel had a great presentation full of landmarks that convinced me to want to go visit Dubai.

Images:

Ski Dubai


The Palm Islands


The Infinity Tower