Module 7: Video Review

1. For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Prairie Style (Frank Lloyd Wright)

• The Prairie style is derived from the Midwest Prairies near Chicago where he design many of his early single family homes
• Many flat lines/bands were used in his design with natural color
• Wright moved the fireplace to the center of the house, allowing windows to bring in more light, lower ceilings focus on the horizontal aspects of his design
• Prairie style has been used by Wright to imitate the land around the house; the home on the hill emulates the slope with flowing rooms and open floor plans
• Windows as walls opens the home up to nature and reduces the barrier between the too
• Glass skylights allow for levels to the ceiling and added space

Architecture: The Science of Design

• New materials such as cement and steel allowed for new designs and applications for city structure
• High rises are composed of super structure and sub structure
• Sub structures have different techniques depending on the ground where the building is being built
• Wind is extremely important when planning a structure, the sway can even move about a meter in distance
• Models simulate the area around the buildings to calculate the weather constraints that will be imposed on the structure
• Buildings with right angles and flat lines react poorly to wind
• Energy consumption is extremely important according to high tech computers
• Concrete is used to create beautiful and reliable structures
• Concrete can be prefabricated and assembled
• Reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete has made technological advances possible
• It will not break abruptly, it will crack first; allowing for it to be repaired
• Concrete can be poured underwater as well

2. How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

These videos appeal to the aesthetic and scientific foundations of architecture. This is primarily covered in Chapter 13: Architecture. The chapter compares necessary conditions for engineering as well as an appeal to the eyes. The second video focused on the importance of materials when planning a structure. For example, the text expands on some of the terms mentioned in the video such as tensile strength; this refers to amount of stretching that a material can withstand. Such as the video, form follows function. The text relates in the use of Greek columns, Gothic flying buttresses, and Indian corbelled arches. There are many ways to create a safe, attractive structure and the importance lies within the foundation and frame. The addition and discovery of stronger materials allowed for bigger and more beautiful buildings. The text and video both stress the importance of reinforced concrete in modern architecture.

3. What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

I truly enjoyed both videos. I love Frank Lloyd Wright's houses. I think that he did a phenomenal job in integrating nature into his houses. This video added depth through its detailed analysis of what happens in the design stage of architecture. The second video added depth on the second aspect of architecture. The amount of technical, scientific research is even more important that the design. If a structure is not safe, then it will never be used regardless of how it looks. This video was important for showing how design has evolved based upon the improvement of design and materials used in the structures. 

4. Why did you choose the films that you watched?

I chose the first video because of the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Buffalo. I've known about him since I was a child when I wanted to become an architect. The second video was chosen because before becoming an architect, I planned to get an engineering degree. I loved the math, but did not want to continue the science classes. This is why those videos appealed to me.