Unit+03

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= WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE? =

"Architecture" can mean:
 * Architecture ** ( [|Latin] //[|architectura] //, from the Greek [|ἀρχιτέκτων] – arkhitekton, from [|ἀρχι-] "chief" and [|τέκτων] "builder, carpenter, mason") is both the process and product of [|planning] , [|designing] , and [|construction] , usually of buildings and other physical structures. Architectural works, in the material form of [|buildings] , are often perceived as cultural symbols and as [|works of art] . Historical civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements.
 * A general term to describe buildings and other physical structures.
 * The art and science of [|designing] and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
 * The style and method of design and construction of buildings and other physical structures.
 * The practice of the [|architect], where architecture means the offering or rendering of professional services in connection with the design and construction of buildings, or built environments. [|[1]]
 * The design activity of the architect, from the macro-level ( [|urban design], [|landscape architecture] ) to the micro-level (construction details and furniture).
 * The term "architecture" has been adopted to describe the activity of designing any kind of system, and is commonly used in describing [|information technology].

// From wikipedia //



Activity 1 - Great architecture
Find an example of great architecture. Pick an iconic building from the website (use the links below) It must be a building that is generally accepted to be "great" architecture (an interesting question and one open to much disagreement!). It can be from any time period or culture.
 * step 1 **

Create a short presentation explaining why you think that particular building qualifies as great architecture. Please include: 1 - Be able to talk about your building in a specific time period and place and talk about what general style of architecture it belongs to. 2- Identify the architect (or architects) if there is one, and provide basic information on them. 3.Describe your chosen building in terms of its FORM (its physical organization i.e. shapes, colors, textures etc.) If there are particular technical or physical attributes that are significant please speak about them 4- Describe the building's meaning and purpose is (or was) and what impact it has (or had) on society and the lives of people who interact with it.(What is its symbolic meaning in the larger social context).
 * step 2 - Create a short presentation - 5 minutes with images **

Great buildings. Use this link to look at some great buildings.Continue to explore on your own by finding additional sources.

Architectural Style Timeline

**Activity 2 - The meaning of architecture**

Explore the link. Defining architecture
 * Take notes and answer the question: What are the three basic ideas that make something architecture. Please write more than a single word or single sentence when answering this question. **


 * Activity 3 - Architects define architecture - or try to **



Use this link to select **THREE** videos and watch them. Then choose ** ONE ** video and write a short response. What are their opinions on the question of "What is Architecture?" - do you agree or not? Make sure you identify the architect you are writing about. ** Post to you e-portfolio. ** Some of these interviews are not in English, so only select the ones speaking in English. ** You do not need to watch the entire video ** unless you are interested in doing so,and I certainly encourage you to do so. Generally in the first 2-3 minutes they will attempt to answer the question "What is architecture". Architects talking about architecture.



Read this short essay on architecture from one of the worlds leading architects. Write a short response. Do you agree or disagree and why? **Upload and post to your e-portfolio** Architect Steven Holl on the meaning of architecture
 * Activity 4 - What Steve thinks **

Watch this video on the Architect and co-founder of Rural Studio, Sam Mockbee. Pleas Write a short response. Compare and contrast the ideas in this video with the other materials you have watched. **Upload and post to your e-portfolio** Rural Studio
 * Activity 5 - Rural Studio **

Activity 6 - A Reflection: What does Architecture mean to you?


Fully address the questions below Please write in complete sentences (more than one sentence and no one word answers!) and using correct grammar and spelling. Use the research you have done in the previous activities as well as your own thoughts to help you. **Post to your e-portfolio**
 * Step 1 **

1. Are architecture and building the same - why or why not? 2. Can architecture be art why or why not? 3. Animals build structures that protect them from the weather and predators. Can nests and burrows be considered architecture - why or why not? 4. In the quote by architect Louis Kahn ( see below) he uses the words place and space. Do these two words mean the same thing, why or why not? 5. Is an architect necessary to create architecture?

Conclude by writing a single sentence which sums up your thinking about architecture. **Find an image of a WELL KNOWN (ICONIC) building that visualizes your statement**. **Post to your e-portfolio**
 * Step 2 **

Here are some notable examples:


 * "Architecture is the thoughtful making of place and space." Louis Kahn ( American architect) **


 * " Architecture is frozen music". Johan Wolfgang Von Goethe ( German writer, politician and philosopher ) **


 * " Architecture is considered to be its [the building's] conceptual organization, its intellectual structure". Simon Unwin **


 * "Architecture, more than any other art form, is a social art and must rest on the social and cultural base of its time and place"**
 * Sam Mockbee**

BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE PROJECT WATCH THESE SHORT VIDEOS AND DISCUSS IN CLASS
Weaver Birds Bower Bird ideas from nature

=PROJECT: FROM NATURE=

==Architects, artists and designers draw their inspiration from many different sources. Nature had been a major source of inspiration and information for many. In this exercise you will observe, draw and then interpret a natural form that forms the basis for a work of architecture.==

Using either the bird’s nest or one of the shells create three drawings (from different points of view) in your sketchbook, using ink (Sharpie pen). The drawings should fill the majority of the page. This drawing should capture as much detail as possible and use the modified contour drawing techniques: look at the object being drawn more than your paper, use long continuous lines, to record the changes in plane and surface of the object. These drawings should be done slowly and carefully and should strive to achieve an accurate representation of the object. Strive to understand the structure of the object. How is it formed in order to achieve its purpose?
 * Step 1**

Create an ARCHITECTONIC form that is inspired by the natural object that you have chosen. This form should not be a “building” per say, but should be something that COULD be architecture.
 * Step 2**

Criteria:


 * Use materials available in the studio, or that you bring from home.
 * You must create a 3D form that encloses a volume of space and is self-supporting (it must be able to keep its shape).
 * Your project, should be inspired by the natural object you have chosen, and employ its basic visual vocabulary and structure.
 * Your project should be between 8-12” in its largest dimension
 * You should make some rough prototypes to test out your ides and techniques. Your final model should be well made and carefully considered design.

**Alternative** = Project: Wearable architecture  = = In this project you will use the building that you chose for activity 1 to provide the inspiration for creating an item of wearable architecture. Your item may be a garment or an accessory (hat, jewelry, handbag etc). By exploring and analyzing your building's FORM you will gain insight into its basic structure which will guide you in the construction of your item. HAVE FUN AND BE CREATIVE! TAKE IMAGINATIVE LIBERTIES WITH YOUR INTERPRETATION OF THE BUILDING AND WITH THE DEFINITION OF WEARABLE ARCHITECTURE.Your item is meant to be inspired by the architecture, not an exact copy of it.Your item must be able to be worn by you. Below are some examples of student work. =
 * [[image:bbaarchitecture/Screen Shot 2014-01-31 at 1.27.47 PM.png caption="Screen Shot 2014-01-31 at 1.27.47 PM.png"]] ||
 * Screen Shot 2014-01-31 at 1.27.47 PM.png ||


 * [[image:bbaarchitecture/Screen Shot 2014-01-31 at 1.27.58 PM.png caption="Screen Shot 2014-01-31 at 1.27.58 PM.png"]] ||
 * Screen Shot 2014-01-31 at 1.27.58 PM.png ||


 * [[image:bbaarchitecture/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_(1).jpg width="199" height="298" caption="Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_(1).jpg"]] ||
 * Leaning Tower of Pisa ||

1 - Research and Analyze your building in terms of its basic elements: its shapes, colors etc. Look for motifs or symbolic references that help you to understand ESSENCE of the building and the PARTI (the "big organizational idea") of the architect. 2 - Ideate (Brainstorm) ways that you could re-create the feeling of the architecture in a three dimensional form. Do this by making multiple sketches in your sketchbook. 3 - Take your most promising idea from your brainstorming and create a wearable item. You can use the designated materials available in the studio and/or bring in additional materials from home 4 - Have a classmate take a photograph of you wearing your item.Post this to your e-portfolio 5 -Show your creation in a fashion show and/or critique upon completion of the project.
 * STEPS FOR THE PROJECT **

A successful project will: Creatively meet all of the criteria included in the project description Include all of the steps of the project Be well constructed and carefully executed Be wearable
 * CRITERIA FOR THE PROJECT **

=**UNIT REFLECTION**= ==In this unit you were asked, what you consider to be great architecture and also what is your definition of architecture. How have your opinions changed or not changed as a result of the explorations in this unit and why? Do you think there is universal consensus on these questions - why or why not? What do you know about architecture that you didn't before?==


 * Make sure you have all of the items below in your e-portfolio **
 * 1. Activity - ** ** Great Architecture -presentation ppt of a famous building **
 * 2. Activity - **** The Meaning of Architecture - notes from website explorations **
 * 3. Activity - Architects Define Architecture - notes and your comments from 1 video **
 * 4. Activity - What Steve thinks - written reflection **
 * 5. Activity - Rural Studio - compare and contrast response **
 * 6. Activity - What does Architecture mean to you? -Answer questions and one sentence definition of Architecture and image. **
 * 7. Project - From Nature or Wearable Architecture **
 * 8. UNIT Reflection **

**When you have completed this unit and turned it in, check in with me. Do not proceed to the next unit.**