BP 2: Putting History Into Practice

Finding ancient ideas in modern architecture turned out to be a much easier task then I had first anticipated. Around campus, I found numerous examples of circles, groups, and stacks. 

CIRCLES: 

Circles were the most prominent design element I found around campus.  Circles were used to represent the sun and the moon as well as sacred spots.

This circle is located on College Ave.  Before the campus became as built up as it is now, it was the main pathway through campus.  All the circles located in the bricks on College Ave are at crossways, with the directions leading to important locations on campus.

This circle is located at the clock tower.  Not only is the clock tower sitting on a circle, but it is a circle itself which you can see from the shadow.  I found this symbolic because people look to the tower for direction, even if it is just how quickly to walk to class.  The clock tower is easily spotted and grabs one's attention.

These two circles are located in the EUC.  This is symbolic because the circle in this case represents the heart of campus. People come and gather in the EUC daily.  The circle is a focal point and represents going around while gathering.  The top circle is in the ceiling while the bottom one is in the floor.  You can find these same circles at the front and back entrance of the EUC.

GROUPS: 

Groups are seen like groves of trees, always reaching vertical, and represent groups of people.

This photograph is of the Alumni House.  This was the best example to me because there are many examples of groups all within this one photograph. The columns are the most prominent example, which are found in great numbers over campus.  You can also see groups in the railing.

STACKS:

Stacks are seen like mountains and expressed as gathering resources.

This example of stacks is the library.  You can see stacks in the windows as well as in the siding.  Each level represents another floor.  I found this to be a great example because the library is a primary place for gathering resources.

This example of stacks is a residence hall.  The windows are stacked all evenly apart.  

The environment impacts rituals in a different way now then it did thousands of years ago, however it still plays a vital role.  Architects build for the current needs expressed in their communities.  I've realized that people generally just do as they've been taught instead of straying.  For example, if an architect built you a church, you wouldn't continue to worship outside.  You relate the structure to its purpose.  Just because you were built a church doesn't mean you would sleep in the church, you have a house for that.  I feel that environments influence rituals far greater then rituals influence environments.