Module 7 Arctechture

Prairie Style (Frank Lloyd Wright)

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

I had never heard of a Prairie style house before.  It was the first style to let the rooms flow together instead of being a series of separated rooms.  They have a natural appearance and he called them organic because they were designed as if they grew out of the land.  The front door is not centered as many homes today are.  He moved the fireplace to the center of the room to open the outer wall up for a wall of windows.  He planned the positioning of the house and the windows so that the house would follow the sun around to ensure the best natural light.  These windows created panoramic views. He also does not use basements in his homes. All of these things make for an amazing concept.  I really like the front door being so unique in not only placement but with coverings to add interest.  

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The textbook does have a special section to feature about Frank Lloyd Wright and his creation of the Prairie houses, but this video really is what makes you appreciate his work.  The textbook gives information about his life, education, and even marriages; it does give a brief description of what the prairie house style is but the video does a much better job.  It shows several examples and gives a great description about his intentions for this style. 

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

This film was amazing.  I am in love with the Prairie style homes.  I think this concept was something that having a visual tour of these homes added much depth and a much better understanding of his creation.  I also enjoyed that it showed the work of Ron Thom who was deeply inspired by Wright.  His style of homes was also very amazing.  I love the creation of levels even though they are only separated at times by a few steps; I think it adds great character.  The floor to ceiling wall of windows as an exterior wall is exceptional.  The other thing that stood out with Thom’s style was the amount of built-ins, I just loved that.  He felt it made the room or home practical but beautiful, using space in the best way possible.  The ceiling heights differing in the home from low to high made for beautiful ceilings.

4. Why did you choose the films that you watched?

This was my favorite of all of the videos.  I absolutely love Frank Lloyd Wright’s design of the Prairie house style.  I realize this was a completely new design for that time period and that others have made adaptions from his style, but I found it amazing.  As I was watching the film all I kept thinking about was that if I was ever to have a house built I would want a Prairie Style house.

Architecture: The Science of Design

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

I learned many things from this video.  Skyscrapers are steel structures that are riveted together.  The two parts of a skyscraper are: the superstructure, the part that stands above ground and the substructure the part that is deep underground and has to support all the weight.  I also had no idea that the wind made the building sway so much.  I thought the wind tunnel testing was interesting to test what effects wind or snow would have on the building and the area around it.  My favorite part was about the smart apartment.  That shows some amazing innovation, especially the alarm clock feature.  I also learned that a hopper is used to pour concrete underwater. 

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

I think this video relates to the textbook readings by showing how architecture has really evolved.  It shows that even though concrete has been used since antiquity that even it has been innovated by reinforcing it with steel bars, or using pre-stressed concrete.  It shows how the concepts that have been used for centuries have been experimented with and new techniques and concepts have been created.  It made me realize how much work has went into creating materials that we take for granted and that we use regularly.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

I thought this film was very good and informative.  The films give depth to the textbook readings by showing the concepts and techniques being used.  There are some concepts that are easier to understand if you can see it rather than just reading the words.  The readings give us the concepts and get us familiar with the terminology and the films build from that. 

 

4. Why did you choose the films that you watched?

I actually watched all of the videos listed, but I chose this one because it was one of the two I found most interesting.  I learned many things that I did not already know about skyscrapers and wind tunnel testing.  Learning about how they sway and the ways that they control that.  Also, the section on the smart apartment was fascinating.  I think that having all of those forms of technology controlling a person’s home is great, and the fact that it is energy saving also makes it even better.