Development of Architecture | Bases of Evolution
Posted by BenzuJK in Architecture on January 11, 2012
Development of Architecture
On the Concept of Life:::
Love and Hope always exist in life and are an indispensible part of life. Death is the ultimate stage of life.
The study has showed that the development of architecture took place on the basis of Life, Love, Hope and death. This might sound a little philosophical but that is how architecture has been born and developed.
Life
Sounds interesting…! Let us open up our imagination and give it a thought. How did architecture actually develop? What was the primary reason for its development?
All of us have read History books in school where we learnt about the stone age man and his gradual evolution to becoming an intelligent creature.
In earlier times, man lived in jungles with the wild beasts. He knew that he had to protect himself from the harsh changing weather and the wild animals around him since he wanted to survive and live safely.
Initially man started looking for ready made dwellings (nature made).
Ggantija Temples | Neolithic Age --- Some of the world's oldest free standing structures
For example: Rock cut caves, dolmen etc.
Early man did not have a permanent shelter. He kept wandering from place to place for food. Wherever, the rock cut caves were not an option, he started using reeds for building huts and saplings for making tents sheathed on bark.
Gradually, the ancient cave man started advancing by trying different building materials for the construction of homes.
And today, all of us are aware of the amazing constructions happening around the world. Various mansions, palaces, skyscrapers, various types of buildings. The advancement in technology has changed the scenario of architecture.
How to conduct a Case Study?
Posted by BenzuJK in Case Studies on December 21, 2011
When students begin studying Architecture at a University, the first thing that they are supposed to become excellent at, is doing a documentation or a case study. It could be a case study of a small village, town, a villa, a bus-stop, or a high-rise commercial or residential building. A case study is an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, incident, or community. Other ways include experiments, surveys, or analysis of archival information
What is the purpose of conducting a Case Study?
As the term Case Study suggests, it is the study of a particular case that is similar to your topic of design project. Doing a case study will help you understand the various aspects that you have to consider while designing.
Design Stages for carrying out Thesis Project
Posted by BenzuJK in Thesis Project on December 21, 2011
Stages of Design to be followed in Architectural Thesis Project
In our earlier Thesis articles series, we discussed the following:
- Introduction to Thesis Project
- Guidelines for the assessment of the Final Project
- Thesis topic selection
- Selection and analysis of the site
In this article, we will discuss various stages which you have to follow while carrying out your Architectural Thesis Project.
1. Key plan (Conceptual Master plan)
Preparation of a Master plan for your project is the first and foremost stage of design. Allocation of different structures, open spaces, road network has to be carefully done when designing the masterplan. It should comply with all the rules and regulations of the area.
2. Comprehensive Layout plan
3. Discussions and Delegations to be carried out including internal faculty, visiting faculty, professional architects, urban designers etc.
4. Design of Landscape
Landscape can be divided into two parts:
- Hard Landscape (street furniture design such as benches, railings, lampposts etc)
- Soft Landscape (Plants, Shrubs and trees)
A proper and efficient design of landscape also plays an important part in the justification of your design. The selection of trees to be used for your design has to be carefully done. Emphasis on the use of trees, plants and shrubs available locally.
Placement of plants, shrubs and trees in a pattern that would suit your design and the surroundings. This would increase the aesthetic appeal of the place.
5. Streetlighting (internal and external)
6. Connectivity to the city
Justify proper connectivity of your project site to the city. It is one of the important factors to be paid attention to while selecting the site and then designing.
a. Proximity to the Airport (important in this case)
b. Proximity to the Transportation Facilities
- i. Roadways
- ii. MMTS
- iii. MRTS
- iv. Highways
Issues concerning Sustainability | Need for Sustainable Environment
Posted by BenzuJK in Sustainable Design on December 21, 2011
Issues concerning Sustainability
Holistic approach to the issue of sustainability is required. Understanding the importance of the development of sustainable environment is very important.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable Development is important for the environmental stability of our Mother Earth… The main focus of Sustainable Development is to preserve the natural resources and use them very cautiously so that we can protect our Mother Earth from devastation…!!
Earth will continue to support life if humans will be able to create a sustainable environment successfully
The definition is based on two concepts:
- The concept of needs, comprising of the conditions for maintaining an acceptable life standard for all people, and
- The concept of limits of the capacity of the environment to fulfil the needs of the present and the future, determined by the state of technology and social organization.
Limitless growth (Misconception)
Change in the perception of the people has to be brought about. Growing at the expense of others is a wrong mindset that most of the developed nations keep.
Confuse capital with income
The vital resource such as oil is taken as a source of income. They do not realize that there is a big difference between capital and income. They have mistaken resource as their income. Hence, it is depleting at a great speed.
Designing a Holiday Resort | Architecture and Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Design Guide on December 21, 2011
Design Considerations for a Holiday Resort | Architectural Planning
‘Holiday Resort’ is an essential part of tourist places. Everybody prefers a good resort and expects good services.
A good ‘Holiday resort’ is one which satisfies all the requirements of the customers and for this purpose the first essential thing is the design and planning of it. The most important person responsible for creating and designing that space is an “Architect”.
People visiting the holiday resort are generally the tourists and they can be from any part of the world. It is therefore the responsibility of an Architect to design it considering various requirements of various classes of people suiting different habits.
Holiday Resort
The success of every resort is influenced by the following seven factors:
- Good Location
- Attractive appearance (Aesthetic appeal of the structure)
- Good landscape
- Quick and pleasant services
- Cleanliness
- Maintenance
- Food quality
Let us move on with the discussion on some of the most important factors that are necessary to be considered while designing a “Holiday Resort”.