Module 7 - Architecture Videos

Video #1

Prairie Style:

1  For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

First concept is that there is a style called Prairie style that has nothing to do with the old West.  It was more about the horizontal lines of the structure and creating a natural feel to it.  Making a house seem to be a part of the landscape is something I would never consider.  But learning in the video I can understand the concept used to achieve this.  A concept covered in the video also is the term open spaces.  Open spaces were big in the prairie style in things that the rooms were large and they were not walled off from each other and seemed to flow into one another.

2   How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

The video goes in line with the text in that it talks about the architect’s vision and why he chose to design the way he did.  How he used horizontal lines to visually stimulate the house.  How he took into consideration the sun’s movement into how the house is set up.  The text tells us the different types of structures there are but the video is taking those facts and showing how they come together to foster Lloyd Wrights vision.  It also talked about the types of things used to build the structures, cedar being one of them.

3 What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

It’s nice to see a film about one particular architect and how his style is viewed by other people and how it has a lasting impression.  I’m glad I picked this one only for the fact that I enjoyed his style, the houses were very unique and nice to look at.  I wouldn’t mind going for a walk through one.

4  Why did you choose the films that you watched?

I chose Prairies because the name Frank Lloyd Weber is a name I’ve heard of and thought it would be interesting to learn more about him. 

Video #2

Architecture: The Science of Design

1.    For each video list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Many architecture concepts were covered in this video.  One was how a structure has to be strong enough to not only withhold the buildings dead weight but also the living weight inside.  And it also has to withstand the weather outside, specifically the wind and how the building is allowed some sway back and forth to account for the wind.  They use simulations to try to predict how the wind will effect them and put the numbers through computers to figure out just how the building must be erected to handle it.  The section on the smart apartment was kind of funny because in today’s world with blue tooth technology you can turn things on and off with a smart phone and do much of what they talked about.  Lastly we learned about how concrete is made and it’s uses.

2.    How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

This video was in line with the text as it covered the bigger skyscraper types of buildings and how they are built.  The section about the smart apartment was a glimpse into the future when the video was created.  And the book covered many architectural materials and the video went over many of them with a whole section on concrete.   Prior to both the book and this video I have hear of reinforced concrete but both sources covered what it means.  So now I know that it is concrete with bars and other reinforces buried within the concrete to make it strong and less likely to crack. 

3.    What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of Architecture?

This film did add depth to my understanding of architecture.  The book covered the theory of the different types and styles and the history of it but the video shows you how it’s put into action. 

4.    Why did you choose the films that you watched?

I chose this video because I wanted to learn a little more about the science part of architecture.  More of the how and why to support what I learned in the book.