Architecture Appreciation

Hello my friends.

I was invited to do a project in some sort of unique way so I've decided to use my Blog in that way.

You have two options at this  point in time

Option A. is for those of you that are interested in architecture and in what I learned about five buildings in London and that is to continue reading, enjoy yourself!

Option B. is for those of you who read my blog strictly to hear about my awkward dating stories

 (or lack thereof) + my travels to my backyard.

 Option B.

 Still read this post because everyone and their mother should gain some appreciation for the incredible buildings that I was able to stand in the midst of, put my hand against, and believe it or not I actually licked one.

Okay so there is actually one more option and that is for my professor who will also read this. 

Option C. 

Refer to Option A. and remember that because we both served our missions in the Florida Tallahassee Mission, that makes us kindred spirits which may or may not reflect positively on how you grade this. 

;)

I'm kidding.

Mostly.

Without further ado. 

Building #1

Windsor Castle
(mostly medieval and some baroque) 

There is a turret coming out of this tower that would serve as a lookout point. This is a medieval detail. 

This castle was built in the 11th century. The original architect is unknown, but it was put there by William the Conqueror. It has since undergone many changes, therefore, its current architecture can be attributed to an architect by the name of Hugh May.

The way the stone is laid shows heavy Norman influence because they are horizontal staggers instead of vertical and horizontal. The arcading on the top of the building is an element of medieval architecture. 

This man really had his work cut out for him because it was right after a civil war that Charles II asked him to make the plans for rebuilding. The war had caused a lot of destruction. 

This redesigning and rebuilding took place in the 17th century. As evidence of this, there are many baroque elements on the inside of the castle.
The outside remains mostly Georgian and gothic with some Victorian elements.

This section is evidence of being rebuilt in the Baroque era. It is more fancy and intricate with more windows. 

Merlons are the solid parts of the top of the tower, battlements are the parts you can see through. 

The Pointed arch is one of the giveaways that we are looking at the Medeival time period. 

Hugh May also designed a house at Oxfordshire called the Cornbury house. His designs influenced much of Oxfordshire at that time.
One of his notable accomplishments was that he was 1 of only 3 architects hired to rebuild London after the Great Fire of London.

2. St. Pancras 

(Gothic Revival)

This building was built in 1868. It is a product of Gothic Revival in a Victorian way. 

On the inside, there are iron ribs that made the largest roof of it's kind at the time. The style on the outside has many gothic elements, but the architecture possesses elements of modern technique. The designs have been copied ever since.

The height and intricate details are both elements of Gothic architecture, as are the rounded arched windows. 

The pointed arches on the roof windows are part of the gothic revival, as well as the flying buttresses. 

Pinnacles are the tiny spires and crockets that come out of the top of them are also part of the gothic era. Those are the cross-looking things projecting from the top. 

George Gilbert Scott was the architect. He was very skilled in gothic revival designs and designed many other iconic buildings and structures. He designed the Albert Memorial, and two St. Mary's Cathedrals in Ireland and one in Scotland. He also added a portion to Westminster Abbey.

3. Roman Baths

(Norman)

Norman architecture is used to describe Romanesque styles in England.

Many people think that this place is only about the baths, but the architecture is absolutely stunning and I was able to learn a lot about the history of the Romans in this area. 

The two columns behind me are noticeably different from each other. They are both doric columns because the tops are flat squares, but the bases represent different things. The one on the left with the tall base is considered a Roman column, and the one on the right is Greek. 

The first of the Roman temples built here was around 60-70 ad.

The rest of the bathing fortress was built over the next 300 years and has been modified many times.

Of course, when we think of roman architecture the first thing that comes to mind is columns!

The wide arch on the top right of this picture is called a Norman Arch. The sculptures above are also very Romanesque. 

There is no particular architect that is known to have built the temple or the structure around the baths originally. The current buildings that house the spring was designed in the 18th century by a man named John Wood and his son. He also designed St. Johns hospital in Bath, The Royal Mineral Hospital, and Llandaff Cathedral among many more.

decide which time period the building comes from, which architectural type it represents, and the architect who designed the building. Write a short synopsis of the architect and her/his accomplishments.

4. St. Pauls Cathedral

(English Baroque)

Where this beautiful 17th-century building sits is the former site of a church that was dedicated to Saint Paul. That church had been there for hundreds of years before this cathedral came into existence. It was completed June of 1675. The architect was one of the most well-known architects in history, Christopher Wren.

He rebuilt 52 churches including St. Pauls cathedral after most suffered from the Fire of London. 

Evidence that this building was built in the Baroque era:

The domed roof, the large intricate keystones on the arched windows, columns, fluting (intricate carvings on the stone) paired columns, and the statues. The Baroque era was far less conventional and more fancy/spontaneous. 

5. The British Museum

(Greek Revival)

Random pieces of this museum were built at different times between the 18th and 19th centuries. 

The ionic columns without a base and the Greek gods/goddesses statues in the top are evidence of the architect's goal to design this building as part of a Greek Revival.

These columns are ionic style, and in a string next to each other imitating the ancient Greek architecture.

This quadruple styled building with four major sections was designed at a time when many of the ancient Greek temples were being rediscovered therefore this style was desirable and exciting. 

The primary architect was Sir. Robert Smirke. He was one of the major beginners of Greek Revival architecture, which was his primary design preference, but that is not the only style he used. He is well known as one of the pioneers of using concrete foundations for buildings. His visit to Athens was what majorly led him to love Greek architecture.