Research two buildings that you find to have an interesting design.
In 2-3 sentences per each question, answer the five questions about the previous houses;
- What types of materials were used in the construction of the house?
- How does the design of the house reflect the time period it was created in?
- What technology is obvious in the house design? (For example, how was heating and cooling dealt with? How was lighting handled?)
- What are the similarities between the two designs?
- What are the aesthetic qualities of the designs?
Building 1: Sydney Opera House, Australia
- The construction of the Sydney Opera House primarily used reinforced concrete, with the iconic sail-shaped roofs made of precast concrete panels.
- The design of the Sydney Opera House reflects the mid-20th century with its modernist style and expressionist shapes, which were a departure from traditional architectural designs of the time.
- The technology evident in the house design includes air-conditioning and heating systems, as well as advanced acoustic engineering to ensure optimal sound quality in the performance spaces.
- One similarity between the Sydney Opera House and the second building is the attention to creating distinct and unique architectural forms that become iconic symbols.
- In terms of aesthetic qualities, the Sydney Opera House features a sculptural, organic design with curvaceous forms that mimic the shapes found in nature.
Building 2: Villa Savoye, France
- The construction of Villa Savoye utilized a combination of reinforced concrete for the structure, glass for large windows, and free-standing columns made of steel.
- The design of Villa Savoye epitomizes the International Style of the 1920s and 1930s, which sought to emphasize simplicity, functionality, and a break from traditional ornamental architecture.
- The house design employs various technological features such as horizontal ribbon windows, which maximize natural light and ventilation, and a rooftop garden for outdoor leisure and greenery.
- A similarity between the two designs is the utilization of reinforced concrete in the construction, highlighting the potential of this material for creating innovative architectural forms.
- Villa Savoye exhibits aesthetic qualities such as clean lines, a minimalist approach, and a harmonious integration of geometric shapes and functional spaces.