STUDY QUESTIONS
The following questions about each site are intended to help you think about the most important issues and points raised in class and in the readings.
STONEHENGE
- What are the main components of Stonehenge and how are they arranged?
- In what order were the ditch, sarsen ring, triliths, and bluestones placed on the site and when?
- What is the likely purpose of orientation toward the rising of the midsummer sun?
- What is the method of construction used Stonehenge and what tools were available?
- Speculate on the function of Stonehenge and its meaning to the people who built it.
Stonehenge
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THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA
- In what ways is the Pyramid of Khufu different from previous pyramids, such as that of Zoser?
- What other buildings and structures are used in conjunction with the Pyramid of Khufu?
- What are the various internal passages and chamber in the Pyramid of Khufu?
- What are the methods of construction most often proposed for the construction of the Pyramid of Khufu?
TIKAL
- What are the main ceremonial areas in the center of Tikal?
- What are the main characteristics of the pyramids on the Northern Acropolis? In what ways do they differ from those on the Great Plaza?
- How does the stele of Stormy Sky express power?
- How do the constructions sponsored by Ah Cacau express power?
- How does the siting of the Northern Acropolis serve the rituals that took place there?
- How does the siting of Temple 1 serve the rituals that took place there?
THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS
- What are the main buildings atop the Acropolis and what was the function of each?
- What was the purpose of the Panantheaic Procession and how did it make use of the Acropolis?
- What are the main components of a Greek temple of the fifth century B.C.?
- What are the differences between the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders?
- How did the Parthenon contribute to the creation of community in the Athenian polis?
Acropolis
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THE BATHS OF CARACALLA
- What are the various functions of a Roman Imperial bath?
- How does the plan of the Baths of Caracalla fulfill those functions?
- What are the primary spatial characteristics of the plan at the Baths at Caracalla?
- How do the vaulting systems used at the Baths of Caracalla effect the plan?
- What is the function of the columns in the frigidarium?
- How does the use of the Greek orders at the bath reflect imperial power? (See McDonald!)
Baths
of Caracalla Page
Course
Schedule
THE MONASTERY OF ST. GALL
- What are the main components of a monastery and what is the function of each?
- How does the plan of St. Gall organize the various functions of a monastery?
- Locate and describe the following in the Monastery of St. Gall: refectory, cloister, westwork, dormitory, infirmary, novitiate.
- How many entraces are there to the church and what is the use of each?
- How does the plan of St. Gall reflect the Rule of St. Benedict?
- How does the plan of St. Gall reflect the uses which Charlemagne wanted monasteries to serve?
- How does the plan of St. Gall reflect the Benedictine reforms of 817?
Monastery
of St. Gall Page
Course
Schedule
CHARTRES CATHEDRAL
- Locate the following on the plan of the cathedral: nave, apse, side aisle, choir, ambulatory, transept, crossing.
- What holds the high vaulted ceilings of the cathedral aloft?
- Name the parts of the nave wall and explain the form and function of each.
- What is depicted in the sculptural decorations and stained glass of the cathedral?
- What is the relationship between structure and decoration at the Cathedral of Chartres?
MASJID-I SHAH
- What are the main components of a mosque and what is the function of each?
- Locate and describe the following in the Masjid-i Shah: minbar, minaret, sanctuary, qibla wall, mihrab, iwan.
- Who was the patron of the Masjid-i Shah and what was his purpose in having it constructed?
- What is the method of construction used at the Masjid-i Shah and what are the chief materials?
- What is the relationship between structure and decoration at the Masjid-i Shah?
- What is the relationship between the Masjid-i Shah and the Maidan-i Shah?
Masjid-i
Shah Page
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Schedule
PIENZA
- What are the main buildings on the piazza of Pienza and what is the function of each?
- How does the plan reflect the social order of the main institutions represented at the piazza of Pienza?
- How are the classical orders applied to the buildings on the piazza and what is their significance?
- Does the plan and construction of the buildings on the main piazza reflect humanist values and if so how?
- How is power expressed in the redesign of Corsignano?
THE FORBIDDEN CITY IN BEIJING
- What are the functions carried out in the Forbidden City?
- How does the design of the Forbidden City reflect the lessons of feng shui?
- What is the structural system used in the construction of the buildings in the Forbidden City?
- How does the decoration of the buildings reflect power relations?
Forbidden
City Page
Course Schedule
KATSURA IMPERIAL VILLA
- With what purposes in mind did Toshihito have Katsura built?
- Find the definition of "sukiya" in the readings and explain how the design of Katsura exemplifies that aesthetic idea.
- What aesthetic ideas are embodied by the tea ceremony as defined by Sen no Rikyu and how are they manifested in the design of Katsura?
- What are the ways that various architectural styles - Chinese, rural Japanese, Heian Japanese - influence the design of Katsura?
- What is the attitude that the design of Katsura expresses about each of the cultures from which it borrows?
BRIGHTON PAVILION
- With what purposes in mind did Prince George have Brighton Pavilion built?
- What are the ways that various architectural styles - Chinese, classical, Indian Islamic - influence the design of Brighton Pavilion?
- What is the attitude that the design of Brighton Pavilion expresses about each of the cultures from which it borrows?
Brighton
Pavilion Page
Course Schedule
GUGGENHEIM BILBAO
- Who was Frank Lloyd Wright and what were his major contributions to the development of modern architecture?
- Describe the design of the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
- Who is Frank Gehry and what have been his major contributions to architectural design?
- How does the design of Gehry's Guggenheim Museum differ from that of Wright's?
- What is the importance of CAD in Gehry's work?
Guggheim
Biilbao Page
Course
Schedule
Last update: 29-apr-04 13:24