Unit Summary-Foundations

"In architecture, as in all operative arts, the end must direct the operation. The end is to build well. Well building hath three conditions: Commodity, Firmness and delight."(Sir Henry Wotton, Elements of Architecture) Wotton describes the foundation unit perfectly. When architecture was first being built what people really wanted was to create something that satisfied at least one of those three conditions. Stonehenge for example was a marking of the earth for religious purposes. Stonehenge shows: commodity because it functions as a gathering spot and marker, firmness with its lasting presence, and finally it shows delight with its interesting and massive design. This concept relates to todays architecture because we still have the same goals in mind. The foundation civilizations have given us the basic requirements and designs and it has been up to preceding civilizations to build upon them. 

In the foundation unit there were six principle themes that are the basis for later civilizations. The first of which is the relation between time and passage. Egyptian architecture exemplifies this with its lift towards the heavens. The Pyramids at Giza are both a passage for people, light, and to their belief souls. The pyramids also show that architecture is a symbol of continuity throughout all history. The pyramids still stand today as a proclamation of the building and advancement of the Egyptian society. Today, lasting architecture and design that provides a direction or passage is more successful than that which doesn't. The pyramids also show the relation between male and female, and how they are represented through architecture. The largest of the pyramids belongs to Khufu, the male pharaoh, and the three smallest belong to his wives and mother. Khufu's is taller which symbolizes that it is closer to the gods. Another Egyptian tomb is that of Hatshepsut. In relation to the pyramids it is horizontal showing that it is farther from the gods and thus females are lower in society than males. Another way sex is shown is by the use of the wu-wu and arches. The wu-wu is the ultimate symbol of masculinity and strength in Rome, whereas the arch symbolizes a female form thats more delicate. Modern architecture is about finding the middle between male and female to create a unified piece.

The foundation unit also shows the relation between the real and the ideal. Greek society focused on perfection and creating an ideal civilization. The Colosseum is an example of when the real is short of the ideal. The outside is highly decorated and beautiful with many arches showing a feminine and delicate facade. However what really goes on inside is death battles and "food and circus". Opposite of this is the Parthenon which is one of the greatest symbols of Greek architecture. It achieves the ideal with its perfect symmetry, political and religious importance, and perfection of Greek building. Today it is important to balance what can be done with what really is done without exceeding reality. Greek columns also show a relation between archetype, prototype, and hybrid. Over time new columns began to be used feeding off of previous designs. The tuscan is the prototype, ionic a prototype, and the composite is the hybrid. The composite is the most put together and pulls from the others. This is also true with design. Blakemore states, "Extensively used by the Romans, their version was the prototype used in the Renaissance".(Blakemore, 30) This shows how the foundation unit has been a prototype to alternative building styles which is the next unit. As design advances today it is important to draw inspiration from previous work to better our own.

Moving into Roman architecture, the relation between architecture and civic life is examined. As cities started to grow it was more important for architecture to accommodate the needs of the civilian. The Baths of the Diocletain is a perfect example of this relation. They were very functional in the sense that they served as a place to wash, but they went far beyond that. The baths were a civic space for all of Rome, and they brought together people of all class. The baths also showed civility through the frescos on the wall. These frescos brought architecture and art together, as well as the civilians. Design today should also serve a dual purpose with being both functional and serve a civic purpose. 

Altogether, the foundation civilizations served as a basis for proceeding architecture and design because they focused on the basic needs and requirements that are needed for successful  pieces. They set up a "foundation" of sorts that serves as a model for today.

The Parthenon is the one building that I believe best describes the foundation unit because it represents all six of the principle themes of the unit.