Architectural Masterpiece Research Articles

The Multiple Meanings of Jatio Sangsad Bhaban

Jatio Sangsad Bhaban, the National Assembly Building of Bangladesh, is an iconic building and architectural landmark designed by American architect Louis I. Kahn. Jatio Sangsad Bhaban was constructed between 1962 and 1983 and is located in the heart of Dhaka, the nation’s capital. The extant literature on Louis I. Kahn’s work suggests that Jatio Sangsad Bhaban is a significant architectural masterpiece. One of its most notable features is its architectonic quality, providing it with the grandeur of a modern monumental building. In this context, this paper aims to examine the underlying multiple meanings, that is, socio-political, cultural, historic and philosophical meanings of the Jatio Sangsad Bhaban building By constructing and summarising meanings, rather than exploring the physical building itself, this paper supports the notion of multidimensional perspectives of monumental architecture. —The multiple meanings of icoic architecture through the lens of societal issues has been endorsed by many architectural critic. Accordingly, this paper considers the cultural, political, ethical and historical meanings of Jatio Sangsad Bhaban. Revealing and summarising other aspects apart from its architectonic dimensions is a new approach to understanding a widely acclaimed iconic building like Jatio Sangsad Bhaban

An interdisciplinary study of biodeterioration of the external marbles of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Florence (IT)

Stone-built cultural heritage exposed to urban environment represents a habitat where heterogeneous microbial communities can grow causing structural and aesthetical modifications and significant biodeterioration phenomena, the most common being colored patinas and crusts. An in-depth investigation of microbial community composition and its metabolic potential is essential to take the appropriate measures to control its growth. Conventional biocides remain the most used practical solution to control microbial growth, nevertheless, they may be dangerous for human health and the environment. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (SMFC) is a major architectural masterpiece in Florence (IT), and its conservation is a main issue of worldwide concern. The whole edifice is externally covered with polychrome stone panels consisting of white marbles, serpentinites and red limestones. Here we report a multidisciplinary investigation on the state of conservation of SMFC white marbles which show, in some extended areas, patinas and discoloration due to microbiological growth. This work provides new details on the deterioration of SMFC marble and, for the first time, on the microbial community involved. This preliminary knowledge will be used for planning field tests with innovative low environmental impact biocides, such as essential oils, to contrast biodeterioration.

“Zoopoetic Dwelling”: The Ecology of the Connectedness of Animal and Human Homes and Dwelling Through Folklore and Literary Representations

The act of dwelling and physical dwellings is not an exclusively human domain: all spaces, environments and homes of various animals are included. The question of whether an animal merely exists or also lives and dwells forms the basis of the article. We examine the types of environment in which nonhuman animals live either together with people or independently and those where they build their dwellings. We look at the difference between dwelling and building. We will present three viewpoint models that consider animals, their dwelling and physical dwellings on the basis of folkloristic, anthropological, philosophical, eco-critical, and critical-animalistic findings. They are the anthropocentric, anthropomorphic, and zoo-centric models as they appear in the works of Fran Erjavec (Domače in tuje živali v podobah, 1868-1873), Richard Adams (Watership Down, 1972) and Iztok Geister (Narava, kot jo vidi narava, 2010). The way these works present animals and their dwellings, more or less closely reflecting reality, will aid in determining whether these dwellings are part of nature or culture. We will be asking, for example, whether the beaver’s dwelling is an architectural masterpiece or merely a result of instinctive behaviour. Our starting point is based on the understanding that animals are persons and, as such, are capable of dwelling and intentionally producing their physical dwellings.

Church of the Nativity of Christ in the village of Purnema of Onezhsky District of Archangelsk Region as an example of stave temple architecture of the late XIX century in the European North of Russia

This article is dedicated to the history of temple complex of the rural settlement of Purnema of Onezhsky District of Archangelsk Region, where in the early XX century was situated the three-part ensemble comprised of two churches – tent-roofed Nikolskaya (1618), Church of the Nativity of Christ (1860-1861), and a bell tower that survived until the early 1930s. Relevance of the topic is substantiated by the fact that the monuments of stave architecture, masterpieces of temple architecture of the Russian North are vanishing, and the North loses its cultural uniqueness. The aforementioned temple complex is one of the few preserved in the Russian North. Attention is turned to the current state of the temple complex, status and significance of monuments, their boundaries, current state protection regime, and the need for taking immediate measures to preserve them as the objects of cultural heritage in the historical environment. The goal of this research consists in determination of the distinctness of temple complex in the village of Purnema within the cultural-historical landscape of the Russian North and its present significance. The scientific novelty is defined by the fact that the history of the Church of the Nativity of Christ has not previously been the subject of special research among historians and art historians. The article employs archival data and documentary photographs that are newly introduced into the scientific discourse. The acquired results allow concluding that the monument should become state registered. The practical importance of this work is that the presented materials can be used in elaboration and implementation of the state strategy aimed at preservation and development of unique Northern and Arctic cultural landscapes, historical settlements, monuments of religious and civil architecture, their scientific restoration, museification and revalorization.

Review: Pierre Koenig: A View from the Archive, by Neil Jackson

Review: <i>Pierre Koenig: A View from the Archive</i>, by Neil Jackson

Quantifying the color palettes of Naghsh‐e Jahan Square in Isfahan

AbstractIn the 1960s, Jean‐Philippe Lenclos introduced a structured methodology for determining the color palettes of urban environments. After half a century, this method is widely used all over the world. Since this process contains subjective and time‐consuming steps, we propose a quantitative improvement of Lenclos' methodology by introducing a fully digital procedure. This removes observer subjectivity and dependence on local illumination conditions. We applied the digital process to the four monumental buildings of Naghsh‐e Jahan Square in Isfahan, a masterpiece of world architecture. The resulting color palettes are more accurate than those obtained in earlier studies. We obtained more accurate color coordinates, characterized by a wider color gamut, and quantified color variations within buildings and between monuments as well.

Да строим или да печатаме

Some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces of the past, such as the Cologne Cathedral or the Cathedral in Milan, have taken several centuries for their creation and have involved thousands of people. Today, a glossy office building in Dubai has been built or rather printed in just 17 days, with 29 workers involved. Three-dimensional printing has been identified as the Fourth Industrial Revolution and is increasingly replacing traditional construction methods. There is no doubt that 3D printing will affect the design and production of buildings. Does the fact that 3D printing can be used means that it should replace analog with digital construction?

Sustainable Cultural Heritage Planning and Management of Overtourism in Art Cities: Lessons from Atlas World Heritage

In recent years, there has been an increase in international tourist arrivals worldwide. In this respect, Art Cities are among the most favorable tourist destinations, as they exhibit masterpieces of art and architecture in a cultural environment. However, the so-called phenomenon of overtourism has emerged as a significant threat to the residents’ quality of life, and, consequently, the sustainability of Art Cites. This research aims to develop a management toolkit that assists site managers to control tourism flows in Art Cities and World Heritage Sites and promotes the residents’ quality of life. The research methodology was developed within the framework of the Atlas Project in 2019. In this project, five European Art Cities, including Florence, Edinburgh, Bordeaux, Porto, and Santiago de Compostela, discussed their common management challenges through the shared learning method. After developing selection criteria, the Atlas’ partners suggested a total of nine strategies as best practices for managing overtourism in Art Cities in multiple sections of accommodation policies, monitoring tactics, and promotional offerings. The Atlas project was conducted before the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Based on the current data, it is somehow uncertain when and how tourism activities will return to normal. The analysis of the Atlas findings also highlights some neglected dimensions in the current strategies in terms of environmental concerns, climate change impacts, crisis management, and cultural development plans, which require further research to boost the heritage planning process.

Eclecticism on the masjid building (case study: Baiturrahman Great Masjid, Banda Aceh City)

In the Dutch colonial period, the glory of Aceh has been a shift, they were burned a kingdom of Aceh and building a new Aceh. The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque Banda Aceh city is the masterpiece of Dutch colonial architecture. From the results of previous research, according to experts, are the building of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque using the eclecticism style, which is the collaboration of the best various architecture style? The purpose of the research is to find the eclecticism effect on the building of Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. The research method using a descriptive qualitative-comparative method, which is to describe the elements of the visual building and then compare with the approach of colonial architecture theory, Acehnese architecture theory with Islamic architecture theory. From the results of the analysis of the visual elements on the building, it was found that the dominant Islamic architecture styles were was on the ornaments of the wall and the effect of colonial architecture style was on the symmetrical floor plans. The concluded that the combination of elements architecture style is eclecticism that effects the building of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.

Half a mile of medicine

Every year I organise an Awayday for a group of young doctors from outside London on the subject of medical humanities. Its aim is to help them look at medicine...

«Путешествие по Италии» епископа Порфирия (Успенского) как культурно-исторический источник

The article presents the creative history of “A Trip through Italy” — an extensive section of “The Book of My Life”, a memoir and journalistic work of Bishop Porphyrius (worldly Konstantin Uspensky), who was an orientalist and a Byzantologist, a paleographer and an archaeologist. The basis for “A Trip through Italy” was the entries in his diary about his acquaintance with Italy in May to August, 1854. When preparing his work, Bishop Porphyrius significantly supplemented the travel notes with materials from rare publications. Thus, the narrative took the form of a unique historical and cultural source, the compositional core of which remained a journey through Italy. Bishop Porphyrius recorded the state of historical monuments, architectural masterpieces, and urban planning. These professional observations, often accompanied by drawings, acquire special value as evidence with history of a century and a half. In art galleries in Italy, Bishop Porphyrius stated in detail information about the number of exhibition rooms in his travel book, as well as about the location of paintings on their walls, describing not only the content of the paintings, but also his own impressions, which form a well-founded idea of the author’s aesthetic credo. Equally meticulous are the book collections, the treasures of the sacristy of many Italian cathedrals and the basilicas. In “A Trip through Italy” the author appears as a deep connoisseur and scrupulous researcher of Italian art.

Математические аспекты архитектурной логики формообразования римского Пантеона

The paper tests the methodology of architectural and ethnographic research of the object of material culture-a masterpiece of world architecture of the Roman Pantheon. The method involves performing the proportional-metrological analysis of the forms using the results of three-dimensional laser scanning. The sequence of actions allowing receiving extremely reliable dimensional drawings of necessary elements of an architectural monument is presented. The analysis suggests that the design metrological module of the Pantheon was a Roman foot of 0.445 m. A detailed analysis of the size of the rotunda plan made it possible to confirm the hypothesis that the design was based on the use of an integer analogue of the number "PI" - fraction 22/7. In addition, an integer right triangle 5: 12: 13 could be used to construct the right angle and to determine the basic proportions of the elements of the facade of the portico. Apparently, in the process of designing the forms of the Pantheon, the method of harmonizing elements on the basis of the similarity method with a change in their scale was used.

The monuments of ancient urgench are unique masterpieces of Khorezmian architecture

The monuments of ancient urgench are unique masterpieces of Khorezmian architecture

Світлини Левка Янушевича на сторінках українських часописів

The article studies the activities of one of the famous Ukrainian photographers of the XX century — Levko Yanushevych in the field of photography. We have systematized and characterized the artist’s photographs on the pages of Ukrainian and foreign (for Ukrainian emigrants) periodicals of the XX century, specifically, «Dilo», «Nashi Dni», «Nova Khata» (all titles in Lviv), «Kholms’ka zemlya» (Krakow), «Ukrainskyi visnyk», «Holos» (both in Berlin), «Na slidi» (Augsburg). The process of shaping Yanushevych’s creative personality via a prism of public activity and cooperation with famous figures is analyzed. The significant contribution of the photographer to the preservation of important facts and information about the Ukrainian intelligentsia of that time is revealed. Levko Yanushevych appears in the general picture of the XX century not only as a photojournalist of the cultural life of Ukraine, but also as an active participant in the processes taking place at the background of art. This is evidenced by articles, interviews and memoirs left by Yanushevych in local magazines. His popularity at that time is confirmed by publications in foreign editions made by efforts of the Ukrainian émigrés. Levko Yanushevych’s photographs are stored in the archives of the V. Stefanyk Institute of Library Art Resources Research of the Vasyl Stefanyk National Scientific Library of Ukraine in Lviv. They are not accessible in some magazines. The personality of this photographer is quite interesting not only in terms of his professionalism and famous works, but also as a cultural and public figure. His photo portraits are still stored on the pages of the Ukrainian General Encyclopedia. His photographs of landscapes and architectural masterpieces of the Ukrainian cities of the late XIX and early XX centuries help to plunge into the past. However, information about the photographer is very scarce, and there is no study of his work. In the mentioned press archives in 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, as well as some authorial articles available on the Internet were found about 50 photographs of the artist. We analyzed and systematized images by genre groupings. The article also covers a range of issues related to the origin and existence of photography in the 19-20th century, the main figures of the time, photo studios and vocational schools of Ukrainian photography. The findings of our research show trends in photography relevant in a perspective of the 21st century were experienced by professionals and amateurs in the past. Capturing information, transmitting emotions and feelings, preserving architectural monuments, landscapes, recording important moments in the lives of relatives or prominent people, coding or symbolism were important stages in the evolution of photography. Keywords: Levko Yanushevych’s photos, Ukrainian photographer, Ukrainian magazines, photography.

DOMESTIC POLICY OF CHARLES IV OF THE LUXEMBOURG DYNASTY: FROM THE BEGINNING OF HIS REIGN TO THE FOUNDING OF KARLSBAD

The article is devoted to the initial stage of the reign of Charles IV of the Luxembourg dynasty in Czechia (from 1346 to 1350s). The aim of the work is to present a general description of the king’s activities during these years, as well as to analyze the designated period of the reign of Charles IV in the history of the medieval Czech kingdom. The author of the article presents a holistic description of the outstanding personality of the king, who was a man of his era, but at the same time moved forward – not shying away from the feat of arms, Charles IV was engaged in intellectual work a lot. The beginning of his reign was marked by economic growth in Czechia, the king sought to make Czechia the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. His merit is also the cultural upsurge – from the time of Charles IV to the present day, a number of architectural masterpieces have survived, and the University of Prague was founded. In addition, Charles IV became the founder of the world famous resort – Karlsbad.

ARTEDUCAR PARA INTERVIR

Intervir, como construir no pré-existente, é parte constitutiva do projetar. Mas, intervir em obra de arte pressupõe, por parte do arquiteto e urbanista, atenção adicional porque é seu dever salvaguardála em sua inteireza, matéria e essência. Se a crítica sobre o construído, como parte do processo projetual, pressupõe liberdade, no caso da obra de arte essa liberdade se mostra, de certa maneira, cerceada. Ensinar a apreender os procedimentos da construção da crítica da arquitetura patrimônio artístico, desvelando as possibilidades e os limites da liberdade do intervir é uma das tarefas da Disciplina Técnicas Retrospectivas. Considerando o objetivo do Simpósio, o presente artigo se propõe a apresentar o lugar da arte, da crítica e da liberdade no ensino de Técnicas Retrospectivas na ação de arteducar para intervir. Estrutura-se, portanto, assim: apresenta Técnicas Retrospectivas; aborda, à luz da arte, da crítica e da liberdade questões gerais do ensino da intervenção em patrimônio a partir de um dos estudos de caso propostos; e traz à tona exemplos de trabalhos desenvolvidos pelos alunos no enfrentamento das questões gerais anteriormente discutidas e do tema escolhido.

Notre Dame de París: consternación y esperanza

&lt;p&gt;El incendio dramático de la cubierta de Notre Dame de París ha dado lugar a numerosas propuestas imaginativas para la reconstitución del monumento, más allá de una reflexión real y respetuosa. Por otro lado, la única vía para una recuperación fidedigna parece ser un enfoque metódico que parta del análisis y comprensión del monumento y de su carácter simbólico y arquitectónico. Las reparaciones puntuales a realizar son fáciles pero la cubierta y la aguja han abierto un debate que reclama una deliberación más profunda: el estudio de la cubierta no puede desvincularse de su rol en la estabilización de las bóvedas; y la aguja, una obra maestra de la arquitectura decimonónica parte de un skyline legendario, exige su reconstrucción. El retorno al icono gótico mundialmente famoso se antoja como la única respuesta arquitectónica correcta.&lt;/p&gt;

THE MISSION AND PROFESSION OF BUILDERS OF THE BAROQUE AGE

The article deals with the successful interaction of the Baroque builders. The author uses the term “builders” for a tandem architect-client, where the former is a builder by profession, and the latter by mission. The author states that the success of their interaction was due to the commonality of their education. This refers to the European education of that time, Septem artes liberales, which all Europeans then received and which laid the foundation of the Mohyla Academy by its actual founder, Petro Mohyla. The author mentions a number of examples of such tandems of builders and claims that it is a high level of aesthetic culture of a client, his ability to hold a highly professional dialogue with an architect, being in a common frame of reference with him regarding aesthetic and functional rules, systematically resulted in the creation of architectural masterpieces. Ivan Mazepa and Ivan Zarudnyi, Petro Mohyla and Octaviano Mancini, Paolo Romanus and Lviv brothers, Lazar Baranovych and Ivan Samoilovych with Johann Baptist Zauer — these are the names of the Baroque era builders, which the author mentions in this article. The phenomenal universality of non-Ukrainian architects at the execution of orders, particularly in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Mharsk Monastery is put in a special focus. Today, in the 21st century, a fundamentally different and non-standard situation is noted in such a dialogue: an extremely low aesthetic level of a client, lack of basic knowledge of architecture, an absence of good taste, all of which result in disastrous architectural phenomena. One of the reasons is that the cultural industry in the field of education today does not require to cultivate a taste and educate students aesthetically. The destructive consequences of such a short-sighted policy already make themselves felt.In his study, the author analyses the advantages of educational approaches of the Baroque era in general and of artistic and architectural education in particular. He explores the possibilities of applying this experience to eliminate the existing crisis phenomena and contradictions in the formation of the architectural environment. Ukrainian, foreign, soviet and pre-revolutionary sources were used.

The Borobudur temple: the Buddhist architecture in Indonesia

The article presents the current state of knowledge about the Borobudur temple, a valuable representative of Buddhist architecture, located in Java, Indonesia. The author presents the genesis of the temple, the facts concerning its rediscovery after centuries of oblivion, and Buddhist cosmology embodied in the form of a three-dimensional mandala on which the architectural form of Borobudur is based. The author studies Buddhist symbolism of the architectural form, reliefs and sculptures created on the basis of regional patterns and local Javanese culture of everyday life. This temple is one of the most perfect examples of translation of Buddhist cosmology and symbolism into an architectural form. At the same time, it constitutes an intercultural and timeless masterpiece of architecture and sculpture which requires particular protection, also due to the influence it exerts on the life of local Buddhist religious minorities.

IMPRESSIONS OF THE COURSE PROJECT "MEASUREMENTS OF ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT" AND MEASURING AND DESIGN PRACTICE IN NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA ''SOPHIA OF KYIV"

The article describes the methodical sequence and impressions of the participants from architectural design classes with the first-year students which took place in the National Conservation Area of in 2016 under the guidance of the head of the Department of architecture fundamentals and architectural design of KNUCA professor O. Sleptsov. Problem statement: the need to improve the organization of practice for first-year students through immersed study of eminent monuments of national architecture and psychological training teamworking and the ability to publicly defend the project. Objective of the article: to substantiate the stages of organization of measurement and design practice and term project for first-year students with immersed studying real architectural monuments. Besides making the drawings and measurements, the students performed a landscape design project on the territory of the conservation area. During the exhibition on the territory of Sophya of Kyiv the results of the practice were summarized in front of the conservation area management and the students felt confidence in their abilities to create, which is important for the architect. Working as part of a group, making drawings outside classroom directly at the object, being close to masterpieces of national architecture – all of this provided high quality of this practice. The basis for the possibility of organizing student learning in conditions of real architectural monuments is the cooperation agreement and the subsequent program of cooperation with the administrations of the large protective zones of Ukraine. An example of such cooperation is the joint activity of the Department of architecture fundamentals and architectural design of KNUCA with the administration of the National Conservation Area of and its head N.Kukovalska. Students gain practical architectural and historical experience also project proposals and measuring drawings are useful for the conservation area. Here are given examples of graphic works of three student teams. The main feature of the described methodology is the organization of the exhibition of student work results at the end of the practice, which is an important motivation and necessary training for architectural activity and project presentations. Each student involved in a making project report. The article can be used as a training and methodological guide for a measuring and design practice in the conditions inside the historical zone of the national importance.