Mod 7- Architecture

1. In the video “Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School” it explained a bit of Wright’s background, stating he grew up in a rural area, an open area. The houses at the time were all similar; they were over decorated, large buildings with height but not space. They were scalloped and often had spires and rounded porches. Wright’s architecture did not follow these rules. Wright made houses that were shorter and wider;  they had a big chimney, and no basement or attic. They were meant to seem like shelters. Inside they were open in their floor plan; every room was connected with an open doorway. His work was called “organic” meaning it worked with nature rather than ignoring nature. Although his houses were cohesive with nature, his designs were often geometric rather than organic or curvilinear. His geometric shapes were simplified versions of things found in nature. He based his work on the idea that form follows function, not necessarily that in terms of importance, but that an object is shaped for its use.

2. The video and the book both explained this idea of organic houses, that were meant to be tranquil, and comfortable in nature. That this idea of sanctuary and security is found in the shelters. The book also discussed Wright’s “Fallingwater” in PA, and its cantilever, a piece that protrudes and is supported on one side. The video also explained his new structures but focused more on their impact and the reason he chose to shape forms and create space the way he did.

3. This video explained the discoveries and evolution of Wright’s work while also giving background on his story; and giving examples of the normal structures of the time period. It gave different viewpoints where the book couldn’t. It also helps immensely to see visual examples of all of the work mentioned.

4. I chose this film because I had heard of his work before the reading, and knew that I greatly enjoyed his later work. I felt that it would be better to write about something I knew I would enjoy, and to learn more about someone I had known about vaguely.

1. The video “Architecture: The Science of Design” explained the difference between a superstructure and a substructure, the first being the part of the building above ground and the second being underneath ground to support the superstructure. This must be sturdy in order to protect the building from the elements. The video didn’t mention this but one way they protect buildings from things like wind is by hanging weights inside taller buildings to counter the wind’s force and stop the structure from swaying as much. The video explained they also can do this by planting trees in strategic places. The wind moves skyscrapers slightly, but rounded edges and cut outs of corners will ease the wind’s turbulence more than 90 degree corners. The other thing that has furthered the development of buildings is the use of concrete, a more stable material, in the base of the building. The video also explains that technology is changing and that more and more houses will have technology in them to help the homeowner, systems like Alexa are what we ended up with; at least affordably.

2. This video explained more about the development and evolution of creating buildings in the modern world at the time, while the book explained the systems of different infrastructures, and how they’ve changed over centuries. The video was most centralized essentially.

3. This video did help me understand why buildings are shaped the way they are, and how in depth architects have to go when designing a building. There was a video I recently watched on YouTube that this video reminded me of that is pretty similar, but it only explains how wind affects buildings. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/ebx5Y5qOmTM (“The design tricks that keep skyscrapers from swaying” by Vox)

4. I chose this video because I am at the moment pressed for time, and I also did enjoy the last video in this series about glass and ceramics.