INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
D E PA RT M E N T O F A R C H I T E C T U R E

A R C H 11 0 4 : H I S TO RY O F A R C H I T E C T U R E I

LECTURER: HALIMA ABDULMALIK

 LECTURE 1

INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

 Culture
 Values
 Monumental Architecture
 INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

The Study of Architecture History: Architectural history is the discipline that

records, studies and interprets architecture. It studies its forms, purposes, and
most importantly its evolution
Studying architectural history enables us to understand the society and culture a
particular place represents. Comparing and studying ancient and contemporary
architecture is essential.
It allows an architect to consider a buildings or cities as more than a visual
phenomenon and therefore the architect would have a more fundamental and
culturally inclusive approach to architecture than an approach based purely on
architect's own taste or style.
The study of architectural history can also be a good way to inspire modern day
architects into trying new forms of design. Without access to differing styles of
architecture, a designer would become stagnant and locked into one kind of
building design.
 INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

The study of historical architecture will help to stimulate the creative minds of
students and this will make for more creative and flexible upcoming architects. It is
important to study ancient architecture and learn the how and why these buildings
were constructed.
However, architectural history, like any other form of historical study, is subject to
the limitations and subjectivity of history as a discipline.
It is important to understand why a building was created a certain way in any given
point in history; for example, the feudal castles were built with not only defense in
mind, but also to allow civilians and livestock to come inside during a time of war;
whereas gothic architecture was designed in order to inspire awe in the minds of
the congregation every time anyone saw them. This awe lingers with us even today.
 Feudalism castle
A castle was the fortified home of a member of the feudal nobility. Unlike earlier large-scale
fortifications, its purpose was not to protect a large urban population but rather a noble, his
family, and his retainers. It was designed to be defended by a small group of soldiers.
 Feudalism castle
A castle was the fortified home of a member of the feudal nobility. Unlike earlier large-scale
fortifications, its purpose was not to protect a large urban population but rather a noble, his
family, and his retainers. It was designed to be defended by a small group of soldiers.
 Feudalism castle
A castle was the fortified home of a member of the feudal nobility. Unlike earlier large-scale
fortifications, its purpose was not to protect a large urban population but rather a noble, his
family, and his retainers. It was designed to be defended by a small group of soldiers.
 Feudalism castle
A castle was the fortified home of a member of the feudal nobility. Unlike earlier large-scale
fortifications, its purpose was not to protect a large urban population but rather a noble, his
family, and his retainers. It was designed to be defended by a small group of soldiers.
 CULTURE

 Architecture is the designing of space to fulfill certain functions based on the needs of
the users. The user’s needs arise based on their activities, which are all well defined by
their culture. Their practices and beliefs dictate what their living and gathering spaces
should be like. At times, architecture becomes a direct expression of culture and/or
beliefs.
 Culture is defined as the ideas, customs and social behavior of particular people or
society. The behaviors we are accustomed to are the factors determining the kind of
spaces we need to live in.
 CULTURE

 Among the foremost things that decide the role of architecture or space, culture plays a
very significant role. The location of a space, the size required for that function and the
way through which it connects all are aided by the basic cultural significance the space
is being designed for. Space and culture are interlinked together. Space is formed based
on certain cultural requirements, later it may even influence some changes in the
existing culture.
 Cultural expressions are ways through which culture is communicated. Architecture is
a kind of cultural expression, because it portrays culture through structures with
cultural characteristics reflected on them.
 The ancient temple of South India: Virupaksha Temple

The temple have a prakara, path around the main idol, to fulfill the practice of going around
the idol that is the tradition of the Hindu people. They also have sacred spaces in front of the
main veneration area used as a stage for dances. These dances served the purpose of
communicating some principles of religion. There are inscriptions on the temple’s
facade that tell stories. They are raised to such great heights that they are made visible from
long distances, to remind all people living in the vicinity of the gods.
• In ancient Greece, the people were rigorously engaged in public debates about
philosophy, mythology, and science. It was considered a part of being Greek. That is
where the famous gathering place of the agoras was born. A place for public gatherings
to express their thoughts and consequently become a part of that society. The agoras
are what turned into public squares and can be seen even today in major cities modeled
after classical city centers.
 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN VALUES

Architectural design values make up an important part of what

influences architects and designers when they make their design decisions.
However, architects and designers are not always influenced by the same values
and intentions. Values and intentions differ between different architectural
movements and tend to have a considerable history. The influence that each
design value has had on design movements and individual designers are varied
throughout history. Architectural design values are categorized as follows:

 Aesthetic design values,

 Social design values,
 Traditional design values.
 AESTHESIC DESIGN VALUES
 The expansion of architectural and industrial design ideas which took place during
the last century has created a diverse aesthetic reality. This diverse aesthetic reality
has been created within different architectural and industrial design movements
such as:
 Modernism: (The term “Modern architecture” describes architecture designed and
built within the social, artistic, and cultural attitude known as Modernism. It put
an emphasis on experimentation, the rejection of predetermined “rules,” and
freedom of expression in architecture)
 AESTHESIC DESIGN VALUES
 Postmodernism: (Postmodernism
is an eclectic, colourful style of
architecture and the decorative arts
that appeared from the late 1970s and
continues in some form today. It
emerged as a reaction to Modernism
and the Modern Movement and the
dogmas associated with it)
 AESTHESIC DESIGN VALUES
 Deconstructivism: (Deconstructivism is a movement of postmodern
architecture which appeared in the 1980s. It gives the impression of the
fragmentation of the constructed building, commonly characterized by an absence of
obvious harmony, continuity, or symmetry)
 AESTHESIC DESIGN VALUES
 Post-structuralism, (Post-
structuralist's approach argues
that to understand an object, it is
necessary to study both the object
itself and the systems of knowledge
that produced the object.)
 AESTHESIC DESIGN VALUES
 These aesthetic values and their diverse aesthetic expressions are a
reflection of the development that has taken place in the historic
communities. However, these diverse aesthetic expressions are also a
reflection of individual architects and industrial designers’ personal
expression, based on designers’ tendency to experiment with form,
materials, and ornament to create new aesthetic styles and aesthetic
vocabulary. Below are some of the aesthetic Design Values.
THE SIMPLICITY AND MINIMALISM DESIGN VALUE
 This design value is based on the idea that simple forms, i.e. aesthetics without
considerable ornaments, simple geometry, smooth surfaces etc., represents
forms which are true to real art and represents wisdom. This design value
implies that the more cultivated a person becomes, the more decoration
disappears. The notion that simple forms will free people from the everyday
clutter, thus contribute to tranquility and restfulness.

ARTISTIC ASPECTS AND SELF-EXPRESSION DESIGN VALUE

 This design value is characterized by a belief that individual self-expression or
one's inner spiritual self and creative imagination, inner resources and intuition
should be utilized and used when designing. Thus, this design value is closely
related to abstract forms and expression, personal creative liberty and being
ahead of the rest of society.
NATURE AND ORGANIC DESIGN VALUE
 This design value is based on the idea that nature (i.e. all sorts of living organisms) can
provide inspiration, functional clues and aesthetic forms that architects and industrial
designers should use as a basis for designs. Designs based on this value tend to be
characterized by free-flowing curves, asymmetrical lines and expressive forms. This
design value can be summed up in “form follows flow”.

THE CLASSIC, TRADITIONAL AND VERNACULAR AESTHETICS DESIGN VALUE

 This value is based on a belief that a building and product should be designed from
timeless principles that transcend particular designers, cultures and climates. Implicit
in this design value is the notion that if these forms are used, the public will
appreciate a structure's timeless beauty and understand immediately how to use a
given building or structure. This design value is also linked to regional differences i.e.
varying climate etc.
THE REGIONALISM DESIGN VALUE
 This design value is based on the belief that building or structure should be
designed in accordance with the particular characteristics of a specific place or
region. It is linked to the aim of achieving visual harmony between a building and
its surroundings, as well as achieving continuity in a given area. In other words, it
strives to create a connection between past and present forms of building of a
specific built environment. Finally, this value is also often related to preserving and
creating regional and national identity.
 THE SOCIAL CHANGE DESIGN VALUES

 This design value can be described as a commitment to change society for the better
through architecture and industrial design. This design value is closely connected
and associated with political movements and subsequent building
programs. Architects and industrial designers that are committed to the design
value of social change often see their work as a tool for transforming the built
environment and those who live in it.
 TRADITIONAL DESIGN VALUES

 In architecture, there is a long tradition of being both inspired by and re-use design
elements of existing buildings or structures. This design tradition has a
considerable history, which can be indicated in many of the labels associated with
tradition, this includes labels such as Classicism, Vernacular, Restoration and
Preservation etc.
 Classic, Traditional and Vernacular aesthetics are an important element of
traditional design values, which is to re-use and be inspired by already existing
aesthetical elements and styles.
 The traditional approach also implies to other aspects such as functional aspects,
preserving existing building traditions as well as individual buildings.
 TRADITIONAL DESIGN VALUES

The Traditional Design Values category, consists of three distinct values:

This relies on a belief that traditional “designs” are the preferred typology and
template for buildings, because they “create” timeless and “functional” designs. Within
this design value category, there are three main strategies:

1. Critical traditionalist/regionalist: interpreting the traditional typologies and

templates and applying them in an abstracted modern vocabulary.
2. Revivalists: adhering to the most literal traditional form.
3. Contextualists who use historical forms when the surroundings “demands” it.
 MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE
 The term "monumental architecture" refers to large human-made structures of stone
or earth which are used as public buildings or communal spaces, as opposed to
everyday private residences. Examples include pyramids, large tombs, and
burial mounds, plazas, platform mounds, temples and churches, palaces and elite
residences, astronomical observatories, and erected groups of standing stones.

 The defining characteristics of monumental architecture are their relatively large size
and their public nature.

 Until the late 20th century, scholars believed that monumental architecture could only
be constructed by complex societies with rulers who could convince the residents into
working on large, non-functional structures. However, modern archaeological
technology has given us access to the earliest levels of some of the most ancient history
in northern Mesopotamia and Anatolia, and there, scholars discovered something
amazing: monumentally-sized buildings were constructed at least 12,000 years ago, by
what started out as hunters and gatherers.

 Monumentality was considered "costly signaling", a term that means something like
"elites using conspicuous consumption to demonstrate their power".
ANCIENT GREEK TEMPLE IN PAESTUM, ITALY.
HAGIA SOPHIA, ISTANBUL, TURKEY.
 PRESENATION 1

 You are required to identify and explain with the use of PICTURES,
DIAGRAMS and SKETCHES, MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE EXAMPLES
(2).

Presentation Guidelines
 Maximum 10 Slides per person
 Each person will have 7 mins to present
 You are to write a summary of your presentation (I page), to be submitted
as print out in the class.