Construction Methods Lost Over Time Research Assignment

Roman Architecture
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American Architecture
Timber framing and the use of cement is an aspect that can be traced to the roman civilization. Much of the roman influence can be found in Europe and most importantly for this paper in America. The most important aspect of the developments is that the changes in the techniques and the approaches that have been used over the years are a reflection of the society and values that they had at the time. Looking at the developments that architecture has had over the years, there are frames of reference that can be made to a certain culture at the time and the dominant approaches that were used at the time, along with the values that were held in the society. The roman empire is one of the most significant historical landmarks that have been used in reference to civilization. In the case of the construction techniques, there are some aspects that could be borrowed from the same, and could be used to day. These are techniques that were used before there was an advent boom in the utilities that are now common in the 21st century techniques. Today, almost all of the buildings have some or all of the utilities such as gas, electricity and plumbing. At the same they are expensive and require massive resources along with labor. While the construction techniques during the roman empire may be considered to be ancient there are aspects that could be borrowed from the same. As they were cheap and used the available to resources to bring up quality buildings. There are significant differences between the roman architecture and the modern architecture in terms of construction techniques and the cultural significance of the techniques in question. The architectural significance of the romans is felt to date, and it is a reflection of a unique society and the cultural significance that they had.[Rohan Kanchetty, "The Comparison Between Ancient And Modern Roman Architecture", Prezi.Com, last modified 2014, accessed November 25, 2016, https://prezi.com/j64epfqpqovn/the-comparison-between-ancient-and-modern-roman-architecture/.]
Modern Roman Architecture is very different from Ancient. Since electricity has been discovered all buildings have Computers and Televisions. Even aqueducts have been modified instead of bridges with water we now use pipes. The buildings now are in different shapes. Maxxi a very modern 21st century museum unlike any other ancient buildings it has a very unique structure, for the roof they did not use roof shingles the top was glass and metal. Not only concrete and cement is used, but other materials are! The Romans built the Colosseum in 70 AD and was finished in 80 AD.The center arena was 287 ft long and 180 ft wide. the Colosseum was 157 feet tall with four main floors and the perimeter was 1788 feet long. To build the Colosseum it took 60,000 people. It is the largest amphitheater in the roman empire, it could easily fit a football field! Several different events were held in the Colosseum including gladiator contests, mock battles and animal hunts, and dramas that were based on Classical mythology. If they held a mock sea battle they flooded the Colosseum with water. People who fought against dangerous animals where highly trained to do this act. At last disaster struck part of the Colosseum crumbled and fell. When Rome plunged into the dark ages war and vandalism started to affect the structure. Also, weathering and erosion took place in this disaster.[Rohan Kanchetty, "The Comparison Between Ancient And Modern Roman Architecture", Prezi.Com, last modified 2014, accessed November 25, 2016, https://prezi.com/j64epfqpqovn/the-comparison-between-ancient-and-modern-roman-architecture/.]
As Rohan Kanchetty states in the article, there are significant differences that exist between how the romans approached their construction techniques and the significance that the same had with reference to their conquest. While the elements of cultural changes can be seen in the current architectural techniques that are used in the modern approaches, there is a subtle significance that is associated with the roman society and the architectural techniques used.[Rohan Kanchetty, "The Comparison Between Ancient And Modern Roman Architecture", Prezi.Com, last modified 2014, accessed November 25, 2016, https://prezi.com/j64epfqpqovn/the-comparison-between-ancient-and-modern-roman-architecture/.]
The roman empire existence is one of the most influential historical eras that has had massive impacts in the current society. This is relative to the fact that there are elements of the roman empire that can be traced to the modern society. However, there are some unique elements that can be established in the roman empire with reference to the architectural techniques that were used at the time. This was a time in history, when the roman society was at its highest. There was some element of restlessness with reference to energy. At the time, the creators of the roman empire, were pumped with ambitions that exceeded the rest of the society. Most of the leaders at the time looked to make sure that they expanded the territory in Europe and Mediterranean region.[Stan Mack, "Benefits Of A Roman Arch", Ehow, last modified 2016, accessed November 25, 2016, /list_5938884_benefits-roman-arch.html.]
There are some significant developments reflected in the architectural techniques that they used at the time. Some of these techniques include the fact that, most of the architects of the time mastered the arch, dome and the vaults. They were able to build temples, basilicas, monuments, amphitheaters, public baths and triumphal arches. Other than the fact that the romans were able to build all of the above, they also mastered the construction of drainage systems, aqueducts, drainage systems and even bridges. They also built vast network of roads and created new urban centers from scratch using army camp designs. Some of the most elaborate designs had some element of borrowed culture as stated before. This is relative to the fact that the romans respected the Greek architecture, Greek sculptures, Etruscan art and the Egyptian pyramid architecture. Some of the most memorable building that were done by the romans include the Maison Carree, the Colosseum, Arch of Titus, the baths of Trojan, Trajan’s bridge, library of Celsus, Hadrian’s wall, the pantheon, palace of Diocletian, baths of Diocletian, arch of Constantine and the Cloaca maxima. It is also important to note that the oldest sewage system is also attributed to the roman constructions. This had been constructed to drain the city’s waste and direct the local marshes by draining them into the River Tiber.[Jessica Ambler, "Roman Architecture", Khan Academy, last modified 2016, accessed November 25, 2016, /humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/roman/beginners-guide-rome/a/roman-architecture.] [Rohan Kanchetty, "The Comparison Between Ancient And Modern Roman Architecture", Prezi.Com, last modified 2014, accessed November 25, 2016, https://prezi.com/j64epfqpqovn/the-comparison-between-ancient-and-modern-roman-architecture/.]
It is through the development of the domes, arch, and the vaults that led to the development of the use of concrete. Much of the roman construction techniques revolve around the fact that, they had mastered the use of concrete in their buildings. This is in reference to the fact that concrete, would be easy to mold and for the various complex and simple geometric shapes which are quite evident in most of the buildings that were built during the era. The fact that, the romans were trying to move away from the architectural developments there were largely used by the Greeks, this was a subtle move. Using the dome, they were finally able to solve the space bridging. This is relative to the fact that the romans understood that using roofing techniques to bring to the open spaces also meant that they could do more with the designs. This is to mean that, given that they had massive spaces to create roofs above, they had to come up with a roofing technique that would best allow them to create complex designs on the ground over large spaces. The domed roofs also meant that they were structurally stable. Given the fact that the romans were living at the time where they wanted to show off all the grandeur and the power that they had accumulated over the years of conquest, they build large building as show of the same. Some of the buildings that they constructed at the time, could hold thousands of people. This is relative to the fact that, they wanted large buildings that conveyed their power and influence where they could hold cultural events. As such the domes and the vaults were a discovery that brought about revolutionary elements to their building techniques. The Greek ideas on space were limited, relative to the fact that they had to use poles to make sure that they could support such large roofing lines within enormous spaces. The Greeks’ us of the poles in the middle of the buildings to make sure that they were able to support the roofing lines meant that they wasted a lot of valuable spaces as the poles would be an inconvenience to the element of open spaces. Looking at the Hela II, Paestum, one of the Greek buildings that were built in 460 BCE, during the classical period, there are elements of the posts and lintel architecture. One of the aspects that comes is the fact that, the space is quite restricted and as such, there is not enough space for many people to use the facility. When this is compared to the Pantheon, which was built in the year 125 BCE. For the romans, it was more of how best they could create interior spaces and shaping them, other filling it with supports.[Jessica Ambler, "Roman Architecture", Khan Academy, last modified 2016, accessed November 25, 2016, /humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/roman/beginners-guide-rome/a/roman-architecture.]
Before the romans came up the element of using cement in their construction, they used tufa. This is a volcanic stone which is native in Italy. After this came the travertine and then marble. The roman concrete was developed in the 2 BCE. For the romans the use of mortal as a bonding agent was not a new thing as they would use the combination of sand, water and lime. It was with the introduction of the pozzolana, a volcanic Italian sand that made the mortar much stronger and also lasted longer. With use of the mortal that had pozzolana, the romans started experimenting with various designs. They now had a much stronger mortar that they could work with. It is through the experiments, the romans then started using molds. This meant that they could molds, where they would pour cement into molds and form shapes that they wanted on their buildings . They also developed better building skills where they no longer laid stones in a manner that each of the latter stone would lean inwards towards the curve. However, the development led to the use of wedge shaped stones which would then form the perfect arches. This meant that the roman could now span their arches to greater distances and still for the perfect shape. As the building grew bigger they easily made the domes more elaborate and were able to create space in the buildings which they could use. They were able to create breath taking arches.[Visual Arts, "Roman Architecture: Characteristics, Building Techniques", Visual-Arts-Cork.Com, last modified 2016, accessed November 25, 2016, -arts-cork.com/architecture/roman.htm.] [Visual Arts, "Roman Architecture: Characteristics, Building Techniques", Visual-Arts-Cork.Com, last modified 2016, accessed November 25, 2016, -arts-cork.com/architecture/roman.htm.]
One of the best examples that show cases some of the developments of the time is the Drayton Hall. This is a building that was built in the year 1742 and boasts some remarkably architectural features, such as the fact that it has windows that are waterproof and the building is positioned in such a way that the wind from the external environment controls the temperature within the house. This is relative to the fact that, at the time that the house was built, there were no utilities such as air conditioning. This means that the architects at the time had to make sure that, such a big house is well regulated in terms of temperature during the summer and even during the winter. As such the windows are assembled in such a way that, they do not allow water to get into the house relative to the positioning of the house, but at the same time the windows had to be designed in such a way that they would allow for cooling in the hot weather. The hall is a tourist attraction, which speaks to the unique architecture.
Looking at the modern architecture, it is clear that there are massive developments that convey the fact that, there have been massive developments in the material use and even in the styles of use. With the advent of utilities, buildings now have more than just the style that they are built around as they also have utilities such as power, gas, water and internet connections. There are diverse and complex designs that have come up the last decade some of which are significantly incredible, relative to the way that they are designed and the way that the architects are able to play around with the material that they use on their building. It is element of complexity that renders most of the designs, their elegance and further reflects on the individual abilities of the various architects.[Jemima Mayers, "Construction Techniques Of The 18Th Century - 18Th Century History -- The Age Of Reason And Change", 18Th Century History -- The Age Of Reason And Change, last modified 2016, accessed November 25, 2016, /index.php/articles/24-science-and-technology/1320-construction-techniques-of-the-18th-century.html.]
Roman architecture has had a colossal influence on building construction i...