Chinese Pavilion

Chinese pagoda is the traditional part of chinese architecture which is applied to the China Pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010. It is considered to be the "The Crown of the East," which contains serveral main structure. A distinctive roof, made of traditional dougong or brackets, which date back more than 2,000 years. It was widely used in the Spring and Autumn Period. The dougong style features wooden brackets fixed layer upon layer between the top of a column and a crossbeam. Interlocking of wooden brackets is one of the unique and important structural that being used in traditional Chinese architecture. The structure still implicits the impression of the traditional chinese pagoda. The platform of the pavilion is elevated above the ground level and is higher than other pavilions in the World Expo in order to give the importance and emphasize the building. The timber joint allows the expansion ability to the roof of the structure and is considered as a sophisticated construction system which helps to support. The pavilion mostly underline the statement of being significant and powerful by using the red color which represents ‘power’, ‘chinese culture’ and ‘good fortune’. Also, the pavilion is located on a strong axial which is North, South, East, and West according to the belief of Feng Shui.

Light in Different Age of Architecture

To talk in a scientific way, light is just an electromagnetic rediation that is visible to human eyes or sight. There are many type of lights which contain both positive and negative impact on human body. However, light is not only give people the ability to see, but it contain intangible meaning to the architecture through age. A certain same light from the sun can change the meaning through different architecture and form of the building. Referring back to the beginning of the lesson, Egyptian architecture was mostly concentrated on the death and providing spaces for the death believing that its the way of sending them to the heaven. Pyramid was built to act as a tomb and keep the death body of Pharoah or the king of the empire. Later, after the architecture was more concern on the living of people, we can see that the arrangement and orientation of the structure had been changed. The pyramid has no light system in it since it was a place for the death but the shading and light angle has been applied to the following structure since it represented a place for living. Therefore, in that period light determined the meaning of live and death.

On the other hand, Gothic architecture concerned on the flourish which included many pointed arch, ribbed vault and flying buttress. The structure will be very tall with stained glass and oftenly applied to the Christian church. Christianity start to begin since Byzentine which light contain the meaning of Jesus christ and sacred (different from the Egyptian). Therefore, the meaning of light during Gothic period is about being sacred and more into the teaching of God.

Romanesque Style

Romanesque Architecture is the architecture style of ancient Europe which mostly consists of semi-circular arches and developing from ancient Greek and Roman thought. It Approximately occurred between the range of 6th to the 10th century and continue developed into the Gothic style. By combining the features of Western Roman and Bysantine buildings, Romanesque architecture often can be observed through the massive quality, thick walls, round arches and usually emphasis on the symmetry. The University of California, UCLA campus in California, USA is one of the Romanesque style which was found as a Southern Branch of University of California in 1919. It was built by applying the idea of Romanesque architecture style. It can be seen obviously that the university campus’s structure is the mixture of Rome and Byzentine which contain its own reason and meaning. The significant of Rome structure is power which applied to the campus since the university is a respectful place. As well as being a church and museum, Byzentine style was brought to the structure because it represents knowledge and religion. In addition, the using of brick will increase the quality of ventilation in the building since it controls light density and humidity temperature in order to protect historic stuff inside.

This way, the question rises that why United States which is such a big country still need to borrow the idea of architecture from other countries?

United States of America was a newborn country created after many other countries and it is where contain the combination of people around the world. They have their own history but no originality in architectural style. Therefore, in order to building something beneficial or a good structure, they need to study and borrow the architecture from other countries.

India Architecture (Hinduism & Islam)

India is one of the countries consisting of many religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Jainism. Through these religions, specific architectures are expressed in different way according to the beliefs. Two most common religions in India are Hinduism and Islam. Hinduism is considered as the world’s third largest religion which originally occured in India.

It is different from other religions as it contains only a single founder, a specific theological system and a central religious authority. Hindu architecture concentrates extremely on the religious and spiritual while Islamic architecure focus on monuments, human way of living and forbids idol worship.

One of the notable architecture built under the

belief of Islam is Taj Mahal. In Agra, India, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in mem

ory of his third wife. It is a white marble grave which is widely regconized as “The jewel of muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. One of the

feature that makes Taj Mahal very famouse is its symmetrical contruction. This way the architecture force people to look at th

e building in a specific perspective. Also, the craftmanship still resemble the Jali which is the latticed screen used for decoration in Islamic Mosque architecture. On the hand, Hinduism architecture main feature focuses on the religious and spiritual. Kanchipuram Temples consisted of a group of a hundred Hindu shrines which was built by Pallvala King. Early temples were mostly dedicated to Shiva. Later, pillars bore the brunt of the carver’s tool, and these came to be richly adorned with scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Islamophobia!

On the Tuesday morning on Semtember 11, 2001, there were 19 terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets and crashed two planes into the most important buildings in the middle of New York City. The twin towers, World Trade Center, collapsed within two hours. This brought up many complications to all American who were directly and indirectly affected.

Later on, an Isalamic Community Center Project is being proposed 2 blocks away from the Ground Zero which leads to an endless debating since the country receieves the supporting statement the right to build from Precident Obama.

Many questions rise to people around the world:

Should Muslims be allowed to build a mosque near New York’s Ground Zero?

Instead of old tradition architectural mosque, why do Muslims derive the original form into a skyscraper?

Many perspectives and opinions were observed among different group of people but most American would say no! It’s the matter of mind value not the rule which you can or can NOT build but it’s what you should or SHOULD NOT build it. As an American, not to be bias, it remarks in their minds that the terrorists are Muslim. This might sounds sterotyped so of course they don’t want anything for Muslim to located near the memorial of something so important for their country which the Muslims are the one who destroyed it.

However, as a Muslims who wasn’t involved in the crime and live life normally in the city, it might be really unfair and racist to prevent them from providing convenience for their people or even themselves.

In addition, the changing of form from the tradition Mosque to the new skyscraper is also depends on people perspective and judging. Some group of people might perceive it as a good willing to blend in with the environment since the area is business area and fills with business building. As well as the new architectural development where Jali, the latticed screen used for decoration in Islamic Mosque architecture, is adapted into the facade of the building. However, another opinion from different group people would be “It is really offensive to build another skyscraper belonging to Muslims who are the destroyer of THEIR skyscraper”, near the Ground Zero because it sounds like replacing.

Numerology Value and Architecture

During early Christian period or Byzantine, the numerological architecture was very essential to the users and people who were in that time period since those numbers were remarked about the fact in bible and then applied to the structure. During Byzantine as number 3 signifies the Holy Father, Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit. For example, the temple of Soloman 9th BCE which king Soloman built for the lord, used the method of megaron to separate the room and use the number 3 as the reference for the proportions. from the proportion of the architecture, it can be simplified as an equation of 1L = 2H = 3W.

Comparing with Bangkok, most people believe in luck and that certain number can give good/bad luck or even lead to a better future. For Thailand, number 13 seems to be an unlucky number because if you flip the number side way to the right, it becomes thai word “ผี” that means ghost. Therefore, it automatically applied to people mind about this number combining with the media such as horror movie which any situation often occur at the 13th floor. Since the picture of the number stuck into people mind, most elevator in Bangkok will not present the 13th floor but 12A instead.

Temple of Diana in Nimes

The Temple of Diana in Nimes is one the most mystical Gallo-Roman monument because of the purpose of the construction is still yet to be revealed. In 991 the "Temple" became the Convent Church of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Savior. The unfortunate building was ruined in 1577 by Catholics from Nimes to prevent it being used as a refuge by Protestant troops under the command of Marshal du Bellegarde. Its architectural structure is a square-shaped building, symmetrically proportionate in nature. The entrance has a huge rectangle-shaped hall, with two corridors offering connection to the second floor, which at present, is in ruins. The central hall used to display rich interior decoration, including Corinthian pilasters and pillars, traces of which have almost faded away today. The roof of the Temple has a unique semicircular shape covering the niche. Roman architectures use of the arch shows a relationship to today’s architecture, where the shape has no single spot that holds all the weight which eliminates tensile stresses. The most basic interpretation of the arch could be shown in underground tunnels such as the subways. The tunnel of the subway being round balances the force of the soil pushing onto the tunnel resolving it into compressive stresses. A special form of the arch is the triumphal arch, usually built to celebrate a victory in war. A famous example is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France as well as the Arch of Constantine in Rome, Italy.

Vitruvian Principles

Villa Savoye is a Modernist Villa in Poissy which was designed by Swiss architects Le Cabusier and his cousin, Pierre Jeannere, and built between 1928 and 1931. It suits one of the principles from Vitruvian which is Vitruvian traid - Durability, convenience and beauty. Durability will be assured when foundations are carried down to the solid ground and materials wisely and liberally selected. Convenience is when the arrangement of the apartments is faultless and presents no obstacle to use, and when each class of building is assigned to its suitable and approriate exposure. Lastly, beauty is when the appearance of the work is pleasing and in good taste, and when its members are in due proportion according to correct principles of symmetry.

Comparing with Bangkok, Terminal 21 is the most recent department store constructed in Bangkok with the concept of airport. Each floor will give the users different feeling and atmosphere from different countries. It is one of the building in Bangkok which i think suit with Vitruvian traid the most. The foundation of the building is very strong and huge since it is located in the middle of the town, Asok. The arrangement of the store is well made since it contained all the theme for every floor and details. Lastly, with the concept of the building, it creates aesthetic which even involved with the workers’ uniform which represents the significant of each country.

Architectural Comparison of Le Corbusier’s Domino House and Bkk Town House

Le Corbusier is a famous French architect, designer, painter and explorer who brough up the idea called “modern architecture”. He was a pioneer in studies of modern high design and was dedicated to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. “Domino house” was one of this projects during 1914 - 1915 which consists of an open floor plan and concrete slabs supported by minimal of thin columns. Also, the stairway gives only one access to one side of each floor. As the time pass by, the designproject has become the foundation and standard for many of modern architecture.

Comparing with many Townhouses in Bangkok, the structures are mostly based on the structure of domino house which consist of minimal number of columns and beams and many of concrete slabs leveling up for each floor. However, as the architectures are continuously developing, not only with townhouses, the structure of domino house has been used with many other larger structures such as the department stores and buildings. Therefore, Le Corbusier’s domino house is a project which proves that he is really a pioneer in modern architecture and establishedall the foundation for the next architect’s generation

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Parthenon vs. Jarmchuree 5

Parthenon, a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, was constructed in 447 BC in Greece to devote to the Greek goddess Athena and was completed in 438 BC. It was built as a temple to tribute the gods but more importantly to commemorate the people and their defeat of the persian empire. Parthenon symbolizes the power and influence of the athenian politician. It consisted of regtangular floor plan with stairs as a step level in every side of the regtangle and a huge colonnade of Doric columns surround the entire structure. Also, there are six columns in front of each entrance. These large columns act as a gate into a place where it contains sanctification in order to represent the strength and manliness of the place itself.

This style of ancient Greek architecture has become one of the classical styles in modern day. Comparing to most buildings today, such as the parliament, temple or even some official institutes, are all built with this classical archtitecture where big columns are located at the entrance to represent the power of the buildings. For example, Charmjuree 5 is one of the office buildings in Chulalongkorn University with six big columns located at the lower hall of the entrance. It is a formal place where most students need to associate with the officers to arrange their University’s information and business.

Ancient Egypt Architecture VS. Ancient Thai Architecture

In ancient time, there were several great architectures made by Egyptians such as the pyramids, tombs, statues and monuments. Most of them are famous according to their strong structures, even though they were built many centuries ago. Comparing to the modern structures, the ancient Egypt architectures might not be as aesthetic but it actually contain a lot of meaning and use of symbolism. Even though most of the ancient structures were built from limestone or mud brick, not cement or any shinny surface material, they still look so valuable and sacred. Comparing to Thai temple, since Ayuddhaya, limestone is the main material to build the pagoda(chedi) which is also strong but not as beautiful as the one today. However, both ancient Egypt architecture and Thai temple architecture still share the similarity, which is the meaning of the structure.

For example, one of the Egypt pyramid, Pyramid Complex of Djoser (during 2667-2648 BC.) has a wall made by brick from the Nile river. Eventhough the structure looks very simple, it is fulled of meaning. By using the brick from Nile river, it represents the permanence since the Nile river is really long and on going. Aswell as the painting on the wall of Thai temple, Wat Chaiyatid, in ancient time, which is just a plain wall made by bricks or limestones but it tells the story and the myth of the religion(Ramayana). The painting on the wall tells the whole story by itself without anyone telling the visitor.

Pyramid Complex of Djoser

Wall painting at Wat Chaiyatid