Ergonomics: Classical and contemporary architecture
Ergonomics is something that is majorly important when producing architecture in order to be sure a space is sufficient for the user. When looking at classical architecture discovered and enhanced by the romans in comparison to contemporary architecture it is clear to see there is a huge contrast between the two, however significant similarities are also apparent.
The Greeks and the Roman are most commonly known for the construction of Temples and Amphitheatres. Proportion is something that is important when looking at Greek and Roman Classical architecture. All Temples created were not designed with human use as a consideration and were in fact designed for the gods. Therefore reason for the magnitude and size of this building is because the gods that they were designed for were a lot bigger than the regular sized human being.
The Greeks and the Roman are most commonly known for the construction of Temples and Amphitheatres. Proportion is something that is important when looking at Greek and Roman Classical architecture. All Temples created were not designed with human use as a consideration and were in fact designed for the gods. Therefore reason for the magnitude and size of this building is because the gods that they were designed for were a lot bigger than the regular sized human being.
The Greek PathenonA good example of a greek temple is The Parthenon. This temple was built and dedicated to the city's patron deity Anthena between 447 and 432 BCE. This period of time was during the era of Pericles and its purpose was to house the new cult statue of the goddess (Athena) by Pheidias which has been said to be approximately 38 feet tall.
theatre of dionysusThis amphitheatre was built for the benefit of the Greek god Dionysus and is located on the south slope. The Theatre was constructed in 340 B.C it once seated 17,000 until it was destroyed by Sulla in 86 B.C. The theatre was used to house festivals in honour of the god.
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The Roman PantheonAn example of a famous roman temple is The Roman Pantheon, it was built and dedicated to all the gods of Pagan between A.D 118 and 125. it was built by the emperor Hadrian in order to replace Agrippa's Pantheon which was burnt down in 80 A.D.
Roman ColosseumConstruction on The Roman Colosseum was started by Emperor Vespasian and finished by his son Titus. The total time this 55,000 capacity amphitheatre took to construct was eight years spanning from 72 A.D to 80. There were 80 arched entrances to the theatre which spread across 4 levels.
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As can bee seen from the images of the Greek and Roman temples and amphitheatres there are many similarities. However there are also many things that the Romans have developed by putting their own ideas into practice that make the two styles unique in their own way. There are three main types of order that are used when producing Classical architecture, these consist of Doric, Iconic and Corinthian. All three orders are utilised by the Greeks and the Romans, for example the Greek temple above has used a simple Doric order where a method known has entasis (swelling of the column) has been used throughout. Whereas the Roman temple incorporates a more decorative order in the style of Corinthian with more detail towards the entablature. A result of the size of Greek and Roman temples they have to be built with imperfection to prevent them from looking distorted to the naked eye. In order to this the building is made wider towards the top.
Le Corbusier
Here are some of Le Corbusier's sketches of that show an interest into the dimensions of spaces and the human body. 'He (1954: 32) claims
that “the desire, the urge, the need to build to the human scale” emerged between 1925-33, when his interest in measurements and requirements for the human body (“resting, sitting, walking”) began.' Le Corbusier's research/theories known as the Modulor was a measuring tool based on the human body and mathematics. |
Charles & ray eames Furniture |
Zaha Hadid Furniture |
Classical architecture
http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/styles/classical.html
http://www.doric-column.com/glossary_classical_architecture.html#corinthian
Astylar buildings
http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/styles/classical/no-columns.html
Roman Pantheon
http://www.rome.info/pantheon/
Greek Parthenon
http://www.ancient.eu.com/parthenon/
Roman Colosseum
http://www.rome.info/colosseum/
Theatre of Dionysos
http://www.greece-athens.com/page.php?page_id=246
Le Corbusier's, Modulor
http://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/21495/Steyn_LeCorbusier(2012).pdf?sequence=1
Charles and Ray Eames chairs
http://designmuseum.org/design/charles-ray-eames
Z-Chair 2011
http://www.zaha-hadid.com/design/z-chair/
Z-scape furniture
http://www.zaha-hadid.com/design/z-scape-furniture/
http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/styles/classical.html
http://www.doric-column.com/glossary_classical_architecture.html#corinthian
Astylar buildings
http://www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk/styles/classical/no-columns.html
Roman Pantheon
http://www.rome.info/pantheon/
Greek Parthenon
http://www.ancient.eu.com/parthenon/
Roman Colosseum
http://www.rome.info/colosseum/
Theatre of Dionysos
http://www.greece-athens.com/page.php?page_id=246
Le Corbusier's, Modulor
http://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/21495/Steyn_LeCorbusier(2012).pdf?sequence=1
Charles and Ray Eames chairs
http://designmuseum.org/design/charles-ray-eames
Z-Chair 2011
http://www.zaha-hadid.com/design/z-chair/
Z-scape furniture
http://www.zaha-hadid.com/design/z-scape-furniture/