Architecture is many things to many people. To some it is the ultimate art form, while to others it points towards science. But to many, it is simply about building or merely a matter of style. And in a digital age, to those more acquainted with constructing virtual worlds than real ones, architecture has nothing to do with buildings at all. Whatever our preconceptions, architecture is unique among art practices. First, it has to function and, second, it is particularly slow in its creation and appreciation.
It is ironic, then, that this slowest of arts should be given swift treatment here in 30-second portions. But this book attempts to explicate this unique artform through 50 key characteristics, from its origins in primitive building to its future in the virtual realm of advanced computer-aided design, or CAD. Each of the seven chapters concentrates on specific themes in architecture, exploring a wide range of topics across history, theory and practice.
This journey starts with architecture’s Foundations, when the time-honoured practice of building, whether basic vernacular shelters or magnificent structures of stone, was transformed by the formal conventions of architecture prescribed by the Roman engineer and architectural primogenitor, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. The structural elements that are fundamental to the development of architecture are the subject of the second section, which explains Key Innovations, including the arch, the beam, the column, as well as more advanced and complex structures such as the dome, the vault and the frame.
The third and fourth sections explore fields of architectural theory and practice. Architectural representation is the focus of Projection in section three, which examines the significance of the plan, section and elevation, as well as the notions of scale, symmetry and perspective. Section four concentrates on key Theories and Concepts that have influenced the course of architecture, whether centuries-old, like the golden ratio, or more recent, like those that emerged from the Modern movement in the 20th century and consequent reactions to it.
Enduring forms
Greek and Roman architecture, that of their temples in particular, had in common many basic characteristics, among them the prominent portico and the column. The classical forms have proved enduring, reappearing in later architectural styles, from Baroque to Postmodernism.
Section five explores major architectural Ideas and Movements and fundamental ideas and events that have helped to shape them. Whether enduring, like Classicism, revolutionary, like Modernism, or transient, like Metabolism, architectural movements are distinctive for being uniquely influential not only in their lifetime and to their adherents, but also in their impact long after the movement has faded.
Redefining the arch
The distinctive tip to New York’s Chrysler Building has all the streamlined forms and stylized geometric shapes that characterize the glamorous Art Deco style.
For those baffled by Baroque or Brutalism, section six offers a summary of the most significant architectural Styles in recent times. Every epoch has its own particular style and most buildings are dressed in a manner that reflects the period in which they were built, but occasionally these aesthetic considerations define the architecture, as occurred with the famously flamboyant Art Deco.
Looking to the Future, the final section examines how architecture is evolving and the challenges it faces. From notions of sustainability and biomimetics to the boundless potential of CAD, the future of this slow art promises change that is as rapid and unpredictable as has occurred at any time during its history.
Given that architecture, more than any other art form, shapes our world and how we interpret it, what is remarkable is that the discipline remains so ambiguous to many. In an attempt to demystify this often inscrutable subject, every entry in this book represents an important element of architecture and is presented consistently. Each one offers a ‘3-second foundation’ that defines the topic in a single sentence, then a main text – ‘the 30-second architecture’ –that explores the subject in detail, and a concluding ‘3-minute elevation’ that places the topic in a wider context and offers further avenues of investigation.
These three different perspectives are intended to provide a practical and engaging introduction to each key topic that, read collectively, will paint a detailed picture of architecture and expose this enigmatic and omnipresent subject to a wide audience. 30-second Architecture opens a window on our rich and exciting built environment.
