Architecture Utilitas . Firmitas . Venustas Utilitas – refers to a building’s function and utility or usefulness. What is this building used for?

Utilitas concerns Function Traffic patterns Safety Cost

Firmitas concerns Materials Property: context Environmental issues

Firmitas Firmitas – refers to the structure’s durability and soundness. Materials and climate are determining factors. Would either of these suit the midwest? How big a span can wood cover?

Site – How does the building relate to its surroundings Approach – How does it feel to enter this building?

Context and environment: How does a building relate to its neighbors?

or its neighbor?

Venustas concerns Harmony and unity of the building’s design: interior/exterior Formal Elements

Venustas Venustas – beauty and design of a house includes decoration.

Venustas Concerns: Decoration - Used to embellish. For Emphasis Venustas Concerns: Decoration - Used to embellish? For Emphasis? To Disguise?

Modernist values: Form and Function –a building should reflect it’s function in its form. Cubes for offices in a rectangle?

Or - Should a building disguise what’s on the inside? Beauty (venustas) over Purpose (utilitas) Or - Should a building disguise what’s on the inside?

Content in Architecture References: Traditional styles, functions & symbols Architect’s philosophical orientation Space: open/closed Light: penetrating/enclosed Materials

According to Frank Lloyd Wright all architecture is “the scientific art of making structure express ideas.” What might he mean?

Content : the mass of ideas communicated through references and symbols “the scientific art of making structure express ideas.” (Frank Lloyd Wright) Should a bank look like a Greek temple? If it does, what does it imply we are worshipping?

“A house is a machine for living in” (LeCorbusier)?

The exterior: a mask? A fortress? Inviting?

The interior spaces: Diminishing, overwhelming, confining, opening up? Narrowing? Channeling?

The interior lighting: somber within? Focused? Illuminating?

What ideas do the materials communicate? Marble: dignity and permanence

Brick: unpretentious, warm, handcrafted

Glass: transparent, translucent, opaque :bright, lively, playful?

Group Walk Questions: 1. How does the “F” building makes its function obvious from the outside? 2. Is the external appearance of this buildings more closed? (like fortresses of learning) or more open (invite you to open your mind)? (examine doorways and windows) 3. How does this building relate to other buildings on campus in style or design? ( What are the repeated elements such as types of windows, ornamentation, etc. which unify them?) 4. What idea or symbol is this building is suggestive of ? (Remember the boat allusion of the Balboa Guggenheim). 5. What are the beautifying elements of this building? What materials were chosen to accent the buildings formal qualities ( create focal points, eye movement, etc,)? 6. Find two examples where the scale of the building (interior or exterior) effects how you feel. (Do you feel small? Diminished? Enclosed? Crowded? Open? Expansive? Etc.)