Curate

Art

Exhibit

By: Jesus Garzon

Theme

Art is not only in Paintings but Art is also present in the Architectural design of a structures like The Dome of Florence Cathedral, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Falling Water, Notre-Dame –du-Haut, Weisman Art Museum and Lloyd’s Building.

The Dome of Florence Cathedral

Axonometric section of the dome of Florence Cathedral, Height of dome slightly over 100 ft (30.48 m), diameter138 ft. (42.06 m).

Filippo Brunelleschi , Dome of Florence Cathedral, 1420-1436,

100' high (35.5 m), 459' diameter (140 m).

There were several issues that where present when the time came to build the dome. The main issue was that it was too wide for there to be wooden frames that could hold the keystone in place for the octagonal drum that was already constructed. This is were the art of Brunelleschi came in, he proposed to build the dome as light as possible and not heavy like it was originally done. What he did was something that was never done before, he build the dome with two shells. The first shell was build eight primary ribs that would be the outside shell and the second shell was build of two smaller ribs in between the primary ribs. The second shell of ribs were reinforced with horizontal frames. The horizontal frames worked almost like belts that reinforced the structure and kept it form breaking out in a horizontal direction. What further emphasizes the brilliance of Brunelleschi’s architectural and engineering designs is that there were no historic structures that were ever build this was, so in other words, he invented this great technique. Furthermore Brunelleschi also designed the small little dome like structures that can be seen in the picture. I believe that they were build to also support the large dome. Critics seem to see a classical style to these domes, so he in a way fit together the gothic style of the church and the classical style of the smaller domes in a great way.

SAINT PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

Christopher Wren, western facade of Saint Paul’s Cathedral,1675-1710, 518ft (158m) x 246ft (75m)x 365ft (111m).

During the seventeen century in England the Baroque style had a great influence in architectural design of structures. What makes Saint Paul’s Cathedral so great is the it is a creation of multiple styles. It is build with the combinations of the Italian and French Baroque style, along with the style of the Renaissance and Gothic style. The dome of the Cathedral is an example of where the Renaissance style can be seen. The side towers are somewhat similar to gothic tower style they actually are Baroque.

FALLING WATER

Falling Water a great architectural design that is integrated with nature. Designed by Wright, who was influence by Japanese Architecture had the idea of building the structure with space. The design of this structure is great, the chimney was made to represent the rock in the area, the color of the structure which is light brown fist in with the surrounding of the trees. What makes this structure a completely part of nature is the fact that it is build above a water fall. The house seems to almost come out form the ground. Another style that is seen in the structure is the Prairie style, this style is illustrated with the glass walls which are seen in the picture. The glass walls give the house an even more natural look and a part of nature by allowing us to see nature through the house.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Falling water, 1936.

Le Corbusier, Notre-Dame-du- Haut, 1950-1954, 40'x40'x30‘.

Notre-Dame-du-Haut

The structure presented here is a pilgrim chapel in France. It is designed with a style know as the New Brutalism. In this style the material used is concrete, however, the concrete is not smoothed out but it is left rough and unfinished. Here both the walls which are made of concrete with a rough texture. The roof is also concrete and also left rough. An interesting aspect of the roof is that it is not flat or build in a triangular shape but it is rather slanted and seem to hand on one corner of the building. Also, the windows are not large but rather small to create beams of light to the inside.

WEISMAN ART MUSEUM

Frank O. Gehry, Fredrick R. Weisman Art Museum,1993.

This structure is located on the campus of the University of Minnesota, designed by Gehry. What makes this stricture architectural design appealing is that it has two faces to it one side is made of square panels with red brick to integrate with the campus. The other face is the one with a more interesting design. Gehry’s found attractive the union of sculptural and architectural forms, he wanted the museum to come out from the ground ,which reminds me almost like Falling Water. However, there is no relation between Gehry and wright. The second face which looks away from the campus is made of steel sheets. These sheets in my opinion make the building look like a mirror. As seen in the picture the suns reflection almost converts the building into a lamp that gives of light. The steel sheets and geometric shapes give the building a futuristic look.

LLOYD’S BUILDING

Schematic section of the Lloyd’s Building

Richard Rogers, Lloyd’s Building,1986.Richard Rogers Architectural design was based on the creation of an atrium. The atrium was used in Roman and Etruscan house. This design to the building allowed all the floors to be connected in a way. What’s interesting of this building is that there is an abundance of space. This was done by building the elevators, stair ways and bathrooms on the sides of the building. Unlike most tall building where engine rooms are at the bottom at the top of the building as seen in the top left picture there are box like structures, these hold engines, tanks and other that keep the structure working. I think that Rogers made a great design especially with the glass work and steel seen through out the structure.