Classical Civilizations

 Summary: 

    This week, I read about Classical Civilizations in Chapter 3 of Hinchman's History of Interior Architecture. This section mainly focuses on the Myceneans and Minoans, the people of Greece, and the people of Rome. This period has more surviving structures and artifacts, so we are able to learn more about the culture and lifestyle, especially relating to design. 

Designs & Current Applications:

    The first section I want to focus on is the ancient people of Greece, specifically the Mycenae. The city of Mycenae was located on the mainland of Greece and was occupied by the Mycenae people. One piece of Mycenae architecture that stands out to me is the megaron. The megaron is not a specific piece of work, but rather a structural element that was very defining during this era. The book describes it as "A U-shaped structure, with a porch that features two columns in antis, flanked by projecting side walls." This design element is still used today in modern architecture. The megaron was used in public places where people would gather for celebrations, worship, rituals, etc. Large ballrooms are a current application of the form and use of megaron. The Le Meridien Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia is a prime example of this. The location is used for large gatherings and celebrations throughout the year. 

Megaron - Illustration of the Palace of Nestor - Pylos - 13th Century BCE - Mycenaean Kingdom

Le Meridien Al Khobar - Saudi Arabia 

  

  The Classical Greeks also had very unique and influential designs. One of the most significant was the furniture designs. Pottery was a large business in Greece, and many of the pots and vases have survived, even in pieces. These were decorated with pictures that represent the lifestyle and culture of Classical Greece. They told stories that conveyed valuable lessons and themes of the people. While the pictures didn't represent objects spatially correct, it gives the modern world a look into the objects and furniture of that period. This idea of representing our current culture on objects is continued to be used today. Ann Agee's vase tells a story through the art patterns of blue, white, and human faces. In the future, this vase could be used to represent our culture today. 

Onesimo's Cup - Greece

Ann Agee's Vase

The Pantheon is one of the most recognizable pieces of Roman architecture. It is influential for many reasons, but its structural abilities is perhaps the greatest. The dome is held by the vertical structure that then carries the load to the base. The force of the base is counteracted by the dome. The structural quality of this system only adds to aesthetic awe of this building. The Pantheon has influenced tectonics for hundreds of years, and our understanding of its structure has allowed for modern architects to explore more with unique load carrying opportunities. For example, the work executed through the Pantheon allowed for modern architect group LEAD to create and explore an interesting tectonic structure through the YEZO Retreat. 

Pantheon - Rome

YEZO Retreat - Japan - LEAD

One Step Further: 

     One designer that really stood out to me was the architect Iktinos. He designed the temple of Apollo at Bassae. This piece of work defined the idea of two strong side aisles with one central path with a single column in the middle. It was more dynamic than previous architecture and began to push the boundaries of traditional designs. He also is credited with co-designing the Parthenon. The Parthenon is one of the most recognized pieces of architecture. This is because of the way math and systems played into the structure. The golden ratio perfectly describes how each piece of this architecture works together proportionally to create the whole. While we know little about Iktinos, his architecture paved the way for years. 

Iktinos

Apollo of Bassae - Iktinos

Parthenon - Golden Ratio - Iktinos

Conclusion: 

    The designs in this section of Classical Civilizations built off of the previous fundamentals discussed and continue to evolve the world of design and creation. The Mycenae people created the basics of not only the land of the Greek, but also elements for designs. The Greek vases give us an inside look into the lifestyle of the people but also how artists depicted space. The Pantheon is a famous piece of work because of the tectonics it employed. These ideas were important during this time period, but can still be applied to architecture and interior design today. The past is not just history, but can be used to create designs for the future.