The Americas

The Americas style period is most easily broken down according to the different cultures that inhabited it. As a whole, these empires had a deep connection to the metaphysical world and greatly understood the concept of how to relate buildings to the open space around them. Most of the empires were isolated and usually were ended by Spanish conquers.

Olmecs
The Olmecs were the first known dominant culture of the Americas. They inhabited Southern Mexico from approximately 2000 B.C. - 200 B.C. With religion being a key element of life for this culture, they had a temple oriented city type. Small ceramic figurines and stone carvings also showed the importance of religion. A distinctive feature of the Olmec culture are the colossal stone heads made from boulders that were found in their region.

Mayans
The Mayans were prevalent for almost 1,800 years, from 300 B.C. to 1520 A.D. They were vastly located Central America, among many highlands and lowlands. Chichen Itza was one of the largest Mayan cities. It houses the famous Castillo pyramid. This four-sided step-pyramid reaches 75 feet tall. An interesting fact about this pyramid is that each side contains 91 steps, totaling 365 (the number of days in a year).

Aztecs
The Aztecs lived from 1150 - 1520 A.D. geographically in Mexico. Their population grew from 500,000 to over 3 million and rivaled Rome. Architecturally speaking, the Aztecs are most known for Templo Mayor. Templo Mayor consisted of seven total pyramids. There were two distinct pyramids - one temple dedicated to the god of war and the second to the god of agriculture. These pyramids were made of stone and brick and were destroyed by the Spanish, but were magnificent in their time.

Incas
The Incas were the largest empire of the Americas. They lived in Peru during 1200  to 1572 C.E. They are most known for their architecture. With an emphasis on trapezoid shapes and stone cutting, the Incas had a very unique architectural style. Machu Picchu shows the perfection of their skills. This city contains buildings that were built without mortar and many trapezoid shaped openings.




Modern Examples
The trapezoidal shape of the first picture is a great example of the style that would correlate to the Incas. The way that the structure in the middle picture blends in with its surrounding made me think of how many of the cultures during this time focused on the concept of the buildings and open space. Finally I thought the last picture puts a modern spin on the use of stone that was very prevalent in the Americas style.

Helpful Videos
The Innovation of Aztec Architecture | http://youtu.be/rY5rVgTxU-k
The Mayan Sacred Sites | http://youtu.be/B7hkqwhLIP4

Peer Reviews
Karri | I really liked the video that Karri posted about the tunnel found in the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent. I often get lost in the beauty of the outside of these ancient pyramids that I forget that the insides are just as sacred.
Miryam | I enjoyed the Miryam's current application pictures. I especially liked the first structure that was built from the trapezoid shape. 

Gothic

Timeline: 1140 - 1500

The Gothic style was the bridge between the Romanesque period and the Renaissance. Religious expression was the center of Gothic design.Cathedrals from this time are oftentimes known as one of the high points in the history of architecture.

Architecture
Three key features of Gothic architecture include: pointed arch, ribbed vault, and flying buttress. The pointed arch was important because it allowed width to be manipulated more freely. Ribbed vaults were the basis of the Gothic system to oftentimes have an umbrella like underside of a roof. Flying buttresses allowed for walls to be less load-bearing and for the development of an all-glass or nearly all-glass walls. The interiors of the Cathedrals from this time focused on height and light. There was also a focus on the lateral facades of the nave. The sanctuary of Gothic cathedrals are highlighted because of the light that reaches the apse unobstructed. But despite all the attention to glass and light, many cathedrals are quite dark. Much of the light had a delicate quality to it. 

Domestic Interiors
There are very few domestic structures from the Gothic period, so paintings are important source of knowledge while learning about the domestic world (much like the Greek Vase). It was common of this time period to try to make the masonry buildings they lived in more comfortable. Hanging tapestries and constructing paneling were a couple ways of achieving this. Windows almost always had heavy bars lining them. This was to not only light in air and light, but also prevented outsiders from getting in. The defensive nature of the houses aligned with the heavy fortification of the cities. Carpentry and textiles were also very important to a Gothic interior. The linenfold motif is an infallible way to distinguish the Gothic period. 

Furniture
Pieces of furniture at this time were either very straightforward or extremely elaborate. Gothic chairs were rare; most sat on benches, chests, or stools. Their simplicity was a testament to their utility. The Gothic chairs that you would see would be very grand. Because of their religious importance, they were exaggerated in scale. There was an emphasis on height and included elaborate Gothic decoration. The most obvious observation from this time is that Gothic furniture has a remarkable continuity with Gothic architecture. Oftentimes, pieces of furniture such as choirs, buffets, and display cabinets were designed like miniature Gothic buildings. 

Modern Examples
The modern examples of Gothic design below show some of the key features from this period. The pointed arches and ribbed ceilings are evident in the designs. 

Helpful Videos
Gothic Architecture (Brief) | http://youtu.be/t8g1e-JLrhM
Gothic Architecture (More-Detailed) | http://youtu.be/uYhOaQhV6QE

Peer Reviews
Stephanie | I loved the modern pictures of the Gothic style that Stephanie posted. I could definitely see the features that categorize them into this style from her summary of the Gothic style. 
Alecia | It was interesting to read how Alecia compared and contrasted Romanesque and Gothic design. Since Gothic design bridged off of Romanesque, it was cool to see what features were similar and how Gothic made them its own. 

Islamic

Islamic architecture and design varies depending on the region. An explanation for the widespread success of Islamic design into Africa, Europe, and Asia was its ability to incorporate local architectural and decorative trends. Although the design varies, there are many recurring forms that can be found. Islamic decoration is largely geometric, nonrepresentational and often formed by tiles or mosaics. The vertical architecture surfaces often resemble carpets. The Islamic arch is also a key figure of this design period. The features of arch include a pointed top and an angle that exceeds 180 degrees. It is very similar to a horseshoe shape.

Mosques
Mosques were used as a central facility for prayer and worship. All mosques owe their form to the Prophet's farm in Medina and are in fact representations of it.The important features of all mosques are the perimeter wall, the covered hall of columns that becomes the prayer hall, and the courtyard (which acts as both forecourt to the prayer hall and overflow space). A mosque is a space designed around an individual, on a carpet, facing Mecca and praying to God. To the left you can see a picture of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.


Residential Architecture

The typical house was oriented inward; this angle marked the transition from the outside world to the home. Entrances didn't usually align with houses directly across from each other to maintain privacy. Rooms were often arranged around a central courtyard. Islam design was concerned much more about the interior aesthetics of the home than the exterior. Houses were very often outfitted with a protruding bay window called a roshan. A roshan created a barrier between the public world of the street and the private world of the house. It also created a space for women to observe city life while being shielded from public visibility. This reasoning is the result of the cultural beliefs of many (but not all) Islamic people.

Furniture

Islamic furniture is pretty much an oxymoron. Many of the functions that were typically accomplished with chairs and couches were taken care of with cushions, pillows, carpets, mats, etc. This was a cultural response to living in a warm climate where it was less necessary to distance oneself from the ground. Furniture such as the minbar and stools were used for religious purposes. A minbar was created for the Islam religion; it is a hybrid of a stair, a chair, and a pulpit used for preaching. Stools used at this time were often collapsible and portable. They were intended for use when reading the Koran.

Modern Examples

Islamic design can inspire modern spaces in many different ways. Below you can see the Islamic arch and mosaic playing a role in a small seating area. The geometric patterns on the wall installations also are representational of Islamic design.

Helpful Videos

Ancient Islamic Architecture | http://youtu.be/WdzTuMbH2LM

Islamic Arts & Architecture | http://youtu.be/D9Z5wZvjpk0

Peer Reviews

Alex R. | I enjoyed how Alex went into detail about the different variations of Islamic design around the world. Since it was so widespread, it is interesting to learn how different it is depending on the region.
Paige S. | I liked the modern application pictures that Paige posted. I find it very interesting how distinguishing the Islamic design features are.

Romanesque

Time Period: 800 - 1150

Romanesque works were inspired by Rome, but the results of the buildings, sculptures, and furniture were not exact copies.

Churches
The church plans of the Romanesque time were a development from the Early Christian church plans. They followed the form of the basilica with an apse, but the designers of this time took on significant step forward by adding a transept. This addition formed a crucifix shape and also allowed the space to have side aisles. A masonry barrel vault roof often took the place of a wooden timber frame at this time as well. Churches from this period fall into three categories including: urban pilgrimage sites, sprawling rural monasteries, and modest parish churches.

Houses
A feature of living in a Romanesque house was a lack of privacy. There was an overall scarcity of space, so many residential rooms were used for a variety of different functions. For example, there was usually one large living space. This area contained only one heating element that was used for general warmth and cooking. This room would have been used for cooking, eating, entertaining, and sleeping. There was also a very thin line between the separation of commercial and residential areas. These two spaces often resided in the same building; the upper floor being residential and the lower being commercial.

Furniture
There was not much furniture from this time that survived. It is likely that there was a continued use of furniture that can be seen in previous design periods. The most important piece from this time period was the chest. Chests were adaptable, which is what made them the most indispensable article of furniture from this time. They were used for transporting and storing precious items. The horizontal surface was also occasionally used for sitting, working, and dining. Most of the chests were made of sturdy and common woods such as oak, walnut, poplar, and pine.


Modern Examples
Below you can see modern Romanesque-inspired examples of this design period. The chest is still very widely used today. Although not necessarily used to transport items, it is much more of a stationary storage piece. The large arches of the home also resemble residential architecture of the Romanesque period. The use of open rooms in modern space planning also is inspired by the residential homes of this time.

Helpful Videos
Romanesque Architecture (Brief) | http://youtu.be/rSiD5Jinpuw
Romanesque Architecture and Sculpture (Detailed) | http://youtu.be/CGIOuLh6axs

Peer Reviews
Miryam | I really enjoyed the many pictures of Romanesque architecture that Miryam posted. It really showed the variety of different monumental buildings there were at this time.
Katie | I liked how Katie showed both the plan view and an actual picture of Fontenay Abbey in France. It was helpful in understanding the basic idea behind the Romanesque buildings. 

Byzantine

Time Period: Years 330 - 1453

The Byzantine design period focuses much more on the interiors of the buildings that were built in the Early Christian time. This period inherited Roman forms and for centuries put them to contemporary use, in the process making them their own. The artists of this time developed vibrant traditions of art, architecture, and the decorative arts. 

Byzantine Art
Byzantine artists distanced themselves from the previous Roman artistic practices. Many Christians wanted to avoid claims of worshiping idols, so artists stepped away from the common trend of creating statues. They focused their attention more so on using wall motifs to tell a story. This was often done with mosaics. Moving the mosaics to the wall allowed for them to increased the appreciated of the affect of the colors and light. Artists would often incorporate glass, stones, and metal into their mosaics as well. Along with showing stories of Christ, Byzantine artists also had a focus on geometric patterns and floral design. 

Byzantine Furniture
Unlike art from this time, the furniture remained closely related to Roman forms, sometimes unchanged. Although there was an increasing amount of invention and adaptation over time. 
The Throne of Maximian is well-known as an ensemble that incorporates magnificent examples of ivory carving. The chair's form is like a barrel chair, curved on all sides with a rounded back. Because of its shape, it is suggested that it was not placed against a wall but instead was a sculptural piece. It's exceptional nature is not from height or form but rather from the ivory carvings. The panels on the front of the throne show detailed images of St. John the Baptist and the other panels show detailed patterns. 
Pieces like boxes, chests, and caskets can be found made of ivory. There were probably some simple wooden pieces as well, but few examples survive. There can be furniture such as chairs, footstools, and tables found in paintings from this time period. 

Modern Examples
The Byzantine period is often resembled today through fashion. The use of metals and mosaics are inspiration for many of the pieces below. 

Helpful Videos
Review of Byzantine Art | http://youtu.be/UpGsouOnxOU
World History Crash Course: Fall of the Rome | http://youtu.be/3PszVWZNWVA

Peer Reviews 
Miryam | I really appreciated the pictures that Miryam posted of the Byzantine furniture. I thought they represented the period very accurately.
 Haley | I also really liked the pictures that Haley posted of the furniture and modern designs. It was interesting to see the mosaics being incorporated into modern designs.

Early Christian

Time Period: Years 330 - 800

The term "Early Christian" is mostly used to describe buildings. It was in this time that Christianity was officially recognized as the religion of Constantine's empire in Europe, which in turn started the era of church building. In order to further understand the form of buildings from this time period, we are going to take a look at a couple of the more well-known structures. 

Basilica at Trier 
This palace that was built under the rule of Constantine is the purest example of the basilica form. It is a column free rectangle with an apse at one end. The rectangular area was used to hold the audience and the apse for a speaker, statue, or an altar. It is a very large structure that holds great simplistic design with its importance in size and reservation with decoration. This basilica is an ancient forerunner to modern buildings that seek to explore the idea of universal space. 

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare
This building shows how architects started with the basilica form and refined it to respond to the specifics of a Christian service. Unlike the most simplistic basilica form, this structure introduced aisles with a row of columns to separate the aisles from the nave. The addition renders the building more grander and allows for more definitive space. Sant'Apollinare is also one church of many that includes a mosaic (or fresco) in the apse that features a prominent story of the life of Christ. 

Basilica de San Julian de los Prado 
This basilica in Oviedo shows a distance from classical prototypes of this time. The Spanish churches of the period depart from the basilica form with their development of the transept, crossing tower, and generally more complicated interior layouts. A transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform (or cross-shaped) building and the crossing tower would typically occur centrally above the transept. 



Modern Examples
Many modern churches are based off of the simple basilica form. Many sanctuaries have a main rectangular area for the audience or members of the church and an apse at the end for the speaker. This can be seen below with a modern sanctuary and the two church exteriors. 

Helpful Videos
Early Basilica Churches | http://youtu.be/O1HVlFQ-t3M
Exterior of Sant'Apollinare | http://youtu.be/DznmwKqTCQA

Peer Reviews
Micah | I really enjoyed reading Micah's blog and the video she posted a link to was very helpful in summarizing Early Christian design. It's helpful to have all the ideas and main points reinforced.  
Emma | The picture of the chest that Emma posted was very interesting to see since there is not much information available about furniture from this time. Emma also did a really good job at summarizing the Early Christian design period.