Architecture of the Gods

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Architecture of the Gods

The lecture rundown

The lecture covered a range of faiths, alongside their key building’s or building details. Symbolism within structures. The intermixing of faiths. Looking at both old and new buildings.

                                                  

Old religion.

 

If you want to feel small, consider that both the Pyramids and Stonehenge were built at about the same time. When you look at Stonehenge its massive. Large solid forms. I remember touching one of the columns on a Solstice morning. It feels like rock (surprise). Then you look up and you truly feel small, now imagen that you are next to a pyramid.



 

To sit and speculate how people moved the massive stones, used to make both monuments, is a common pass time. The alien hypothesis is understandable. However, Professor Sarah Parcak, an expert on Egyptology (a professor of anthropology and space archeologist), says that she has witnessed 10/12 men moving stones which weigh several tones.

The Pyramids were built by huge encampments of non-slaves. Who would be fed and act like body builders. Working their way up to larger weights. Some workers would be given apprentiships for engineering and administrative rolls.

The Egyptian pyramids gave one of the earliest presidents of bureaucracy. From farms producing cattle purely to feed pyramid workers. Seasonal recruiters (most workers were recruited during the wet season). Transporting stone from source to depo to site.  All (and more) evidenced through ancient Egyptian records. With the sole purpose of ensuring that their deity king or queen got to the correct place in the afterlife.

Another president set by the Egyptians was the starchitect. Imhotep, the man who created the step pyramid, among other achievements, was seen as a god. The god of wisdom, but this won’t stop me visualizing him next time someone mentions the god(s) of architecture.

 

Somewhere in the middle

 

In my experience of religious buildings the intricate ornamentation is what draws me into them and keeps me there in quite meditation. Inhabitants can sit inside of a detailed sculpture and find a feeling of magic and contentment. weather their faith lends them to the deity, or method of worship, the building represents or not.

I have never visited Westminster Abby. However, the intricate celling, in the Henry VII chapel, which forces your gaze to the havens is a solid example of the aforementioned ornamentation. The acute angels of the gothic style, create a geometric grid (of sorts) to hold more fluid natural forms.

 


Islamic architecture is used to classify a wide range of buildings, built in an easily recognizable style. From an outsiders perspective it contains bold colours. Opposite to Britain, with its Gray sky’s and matching architecture. Light plays a big role in this, as I found out through a building documentary many years ago (possibly grand design). Another comparison between older British architecture and Islamic architecture is the use of 3D elements. Islamic architecture seems to favour relief in its buildings rather then sculpture. Clean, curved, openings seem to be punched into plains and accentuated with intricate 2D detail. With regard to non-Islamic design, this method is seen more in contemporary modern items.

Mashjid-i-shah a mosque in central Iran was built in 1638. To put that into context the year the British Tudor dynasty ended. Is a clear example of this. The walls containing vivid blue patterning and smooth openings.


 

 

Today

 

The most modern religious concept I can think of is the multifaith room. The idea that a bunch of people have to tolerate each other in close proximity. The average multifaith room in airports (and other large buildings with a variety of occupants), has clearly been designed on eggshells. Clinical, sparse and carpets of 80’s office sheek are common markers of this type of space.

 


Some efforts have been made to create the magic of a house of god(s)/goddess(s). Creating the feeling of spiritule connection.  The MIT Chapel, by Eero Saarinen glows. It’s a simple, building with no symbolic features. Yet it seems to highlight the very essence of what faith should be (in my view). Magical, inviting and tranqul. The use of brick and wood give a warmth.

 


 

 

What have I learnt?

I have learnt that religion and associated buildings created bureaucracy. When I’m pleading with the gods of architecture for my design to work I can put a name to a face (sort of). Religious buildings are good at making statements, weather they are intricate or simple. They are filled with symbolism. Most importantly the only bad building is the kind that is built on egg shells.

 

 

 

 

Further notes:

Part way through this creation I became aware that I only needed to write about 200 words. Though I have tried to finish this piece to a reasonable quality, future blogs will not be so long. 

 

Bibliography

 

1.      Glancey, J. Architecture: A visual History. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited; c2017.

 

2.      Jenner, G., 2020. The Egyptian Pyramids. [podcast] You are dead to me. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08r3qcd

 

 

3.      Ancient History Encyclopedia. Imhotep [Internet]. New York, USA: Joshua J. Mark; 16 February 2016[2020 November]. Available from: https://www.ancient.eu/imhotep/

 

4.      Britannica. Stonehenge [Internet]. England: Mike Parker Pearson; Mar 24, 1999 (Last updated Nov 04, 2020 ) [2020 November]. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stonehenge

 

5.      M Jenner. Journeys into medieval England. Great Briton: Penguin group; 1991.

 

6.      D Watkin. A history of western architecture. 6th ed. London UK: Laurance King Publishing; 2015.

 

7.      C Edwards. Interior design a critical introduction. Oxford UK: Berg; 2011

 

8.      M Ali. (Ed.). (1985). Vol 3 no 3 Autumn. Arts & the Islamic world, 3 (3).

 

9.      The Architectural Review. Typology: Multifaith [Internet]. London UK: Tom Wilkinson; 21 April 2016 [November 2020]. Available from: https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/typology/typology-multifaith?blocktitle=typology&contentid=5649

 

10.  Arch daily. AD Classics: MIT Chapel / Eero Saarinen [Internet] Eduardo Souza; February 17, 2011 [November 2020]. Available from:https://www.archdaily.com/112682/ad-classics-mit-chapel-eero-saarinen

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