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.