History of Architecture….
One of the areas I loved most when studying for my diploma was the history modules. So in this blog I am going to discuss some of the buildings I explored. These buildings showcase some amazing features and still influence designers today. I’ve included a couple of very iconic buildings from my local area. I hope you enjoy this post.
Building Name: Falling Water
Building/ Architectural Style: Modern
Location: Southwest Pennsylvania. Laurel Highlands. Outside Pittsburgh. USA
Date: 1936 – 1939
Architect: Frank Lloyd- Wright
Historical Influence: This home represents a completely new age in architecture. It’s considered Organic Architecture with Japanese influence. Frank Lloyd Wright refused to associate himself with any architectural movements.
Characteristics:
Roof: The vast cantilevered roof used ferro concrete. It was revolutionary to be using reinforced concrete at this time.
Building Materials: Local craftsman quarried native sandstone and other materials were used from the property. Stones for the walls. Reinforced concrete, reinforced steel and glass. The amazing cantilevered balconies and levels contours into the rock strata of the stream banks. All blending in with nature and the water fall.
Windows: There is a liberal use of glass. The house has no walls facing the falls only a central core. The architects clever use of corner turning windows without mullions causes corners to vanish.
Doors:
The front door of Falling water is small and unassuming tucked away in a corner of the house. The door is recessed and protected rather than ostentatious and showy so as not to take away from that famous view.
Structural and Ornamental/ decorative features:
Falling water stands out as one of Wrights greatest masterpieces for it’s dynamism with it’s striking natural surroundings. Integration with the setting, where glass meets stone walls, no metal frame is used. The glass and it’s horizontal dividers caulked recess into the stonework.
Cantilevered terraces resembling the nearby rock formations and locally quarried stone walls all in harmony with it’s environment. Expanses of windows and balconies reach into their surroundings. Spring water dripping inside and Bear run and the sound of water permeate the house creating a true masterpiece in the worlds architecture.
Image Source: Daniel Terdiman/CNET. Information Source: wikipedia.org, fallingwater.org
Building Name: The Marshall House
Building/ Architectural Style: Modern
Location: Clontarf. Sydney. NSW. Australia Date: 1965
Architect: Bruce Rickard
Historical Influences: Mies Van der Rohe, Le Corbusier. But Frank Lloyd Wright was Rickards biggest influence of Modern Organic Style.
Characteristics:
Roof:
The Line of the roof is cantilevered. From the front it has a very flat appearance. Long and low roof forms over a north facing entry court. With the only other thing you see is the chimney of the centrally located fireplace protruding from the roof line.
Building Materials:
Natural and organic materials used. Sandstock bricks both for the external and internal walls with raked joints. Clear Timbers finishes. Ship lapped Western red cedar timber used in the underside of the eaves and for all the windows and doors. Double glazed glass.
Windows:
Western red cedar window frames with double glazing. Unobstructed panes of glass. Side Hung casement windows
Doors:
The idea of a conventional front door was abandoned so the view was unobstructed so a bank of glass and western red cedar timber framed doors all opening outwards to be courtyard was installed. Double glazed framed doors also lead out to the deck.
Structural and ornamental/ decorative features:
Set on a battle axe block amongst angophoras. The home sits into the hillside. Built in sandstone brick and the western red cedar timber allows it to blend seamlessly with the landscape. Great emphasis is on the connection between the indoor and outdoors. Hence the floor to ceiling timber framed doors which open to allow integration of the two.
This integration with nature is amazing and seamless. The natural colours of the bricks and timber blending in perfectly with the environment something which Rickard did so well.
Image/ Information Source: Bruce Rickard - A life in Architecture - Peter Lonergan, Sam Rickard, Julie Cracknell
Building Name: Palmerston
Building/ Architectural Style: Art Nouveau
Location: 345 Dangarsleigh Rd, Armidale NSW. Australia
Date: 1911
Architect: FC and AC Castleden
Historical Influence: The building references Edwardian design influenced by Indian architecture.
Characteristics:
Roof:
The house has a terra cotta shingle roof imported from Brittany. The shingles give a greater sensation of scale. The height being approximately 40 feet. The roof has a steep pitch and tall stylish chimneys. The front facing gable end and roof eaves feature ornate timber detailing and fretwork. You can also see a turret.
Building Materials:
The house has a red brick exterior. The building has explored the use of brick buttresses and arches. Also the use of short timber columns. The tiles were big and intricately shaped to interlock and to shed water.
Windows:
The sash windows are white painted timber framed some have decorative lead light. They are typical six panes over two panes. Bar layout. Run through sash horns with ornate stays. Slimline transoms and mullions with a deep bottom rail.
Doors:
The doors of this house are decorative timber doors with ornate timber panels inlayed with expert carpentry and joinery. Varnished to show the beauty of the natural timber. With lead light feature windows beside them.
Structural and ornamental/ decorative features:
The piers of the Porte cochere (covered entrance) and verandah taper outwards giving a buttress effect. The arch used in the semi circular form is a recurrent theme which gives the sensation of weight. Palmerston features amazing
gardens with brick lined paths and rose gardens, deciduous trees and heritage listed hedges.
The massing of the central hallway is well handled with simple geometric elements. The sub columns with the pronounced entasis are typical of the period.
The complexity of the roof would have been considered ’picturesque’ with it’s high pitch and terracotta planes folded into many gables.
Image Source: petersonswines.com.au. Information Source: petersonsguesthouse.com.au. wilmarshutz.com
Building Name: Booloominbah
Building/ Architectural Style: Arts and Crafts
Building Location: 60 Madgwick Drive, Armidale NSW 2350 Date: 1884 – 1888
Architect: John Horbury Hunt
Historical Influence: Heavily influenced by The Arts and Crafts movement in England and is considered a Gothic revivalist in Queen Anne Style. Australian Federation style. Most Avant – Garde of it’s time.
Characteristics:
Roof:
The roof of Booloominbah is clad in Terra Cotta Tiles typical of the period. The roof being the homes most dominant feature. Featuring gables and prominent eaves with exposed rafter ends and tall chimneys.
Building Materials:
Consists predominantly of Red brick Walls. Structural authenticity with timber exposed beams, strong posts with native materials such as wood (Oak). Locally sourced stone and bricks from local clay. The use of wooden shingles under the southern balcony and on the gable ends.
Windows:
Much of the Gothic revival with arched Bay Windows that had lead light. Three light upper sash over a single light sash. The main hall has a huge window celebrating the life of martyr of Khartoum General Charles George Gordon.
It’s the largest window in a domestic setting in Australia. The stained glass in the main rooms was created by Lyon, Wells and Collier. There is considerable use of Australian Flora and Fauna used in the stained glass.
Doors:
Timber and glassed panelled French doors for the main entrance. And solid timber single doors for the other entrances painted a dark red. With pointed arches over the doors.
Structural and ornamental/ decorative features:
The avoidance of symmetry with the use of small windows of differing sizes, towering chimneys and massive gable ends. Prominent buttresses. Delightful Hunts whimsical Gothic touch with wooden ‘gargoyles’ which glare from the ends of several beams. The open verandah not an English tradition but is seen in several ‘Queen Anne’ style houses. The garden with native angophora a tree named ‘booloominbah’ by the Aboriginal people. Beside the major front entrance in pure Gothic revival style, is a terracotta relief to commemorate a family tragedy is a sculpture by Theodora Cowan a Angel writing in a book while at her feet
lie female figures. Dawn with a sun and
Image/ Information Source: une.edu.au
