Architecture
by Joe Dorish on 07/02/09 at 7:00 am
The structure of anything, usually buildings.
Roman architect Vitruvius believed that great architecture consisted of three principles. Good buildings and structures should meet all three principles and it was up to the architect to ensure this. The three principles are Durability, each structure should stand robustly and remain in fine condition, Utility, each structure should be fully functional for the people using it, and Beauty, each structure should be pleasing to people and raise their spirits.
Here are some fantastic structures and buildings from around the world that meet these criteria.
Taj Mahal
Mughal architecture combines architectural elements from Persia, Ottoman Empire, India, and Islam and today the Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture. Construction started in 1632 on the Taj Mahal and it took 21 years to complete. It was built as a mausoleum for emperor Shah Jahan’s 3rd wife who died giving birth to their 14th child. The building has endured wars, vandalism and enviromental threats like acid rain and is today designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Up to 4 million people a year visit the Taj Mahal.
Syndey Opera House
Danish architect Jørn Utzon designed and largely built the Opera House. Its unique design contains eight separate performing spaces including the Concert Hall which is home to the Sydney Symphony. Construction on the Opera House started in 1958 and the structure was completed in three phases. The building of the upper podium which was completed in 1963. The building of the outer shells which finished in 1967. And the construction of the interior which finished in 1973. In June of 2007 UNESCO declared the Opera House a World Heritage Site. Up to 300,000 people tour the Opera House every year.
Alhambra
Built by the Moors when they ruled Spain. Original construction took place over the years 1338 to 1390. Many more additions have been added since then as Alhmabra changed hands. The Moors relinquished control in the year of Columbus, 1492 to King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile. Reportedly Napolean wanted to blow the Alhambra to smithereens but was thwarted by a disloyal soldier. Over the centuries gardens, fountains, streams, and even a palace have been added to the Alhambra. Thousands of people a day visit the Alhambra.
The Potala Palace
Located in Tibet, construction of the Potala Palace began in 1645 and ended in 1694. In 1649 the Dalai Lama moved into the palace and stayed until 1959 when the Chinese invaded Tibet. While the palace itself has suffered just minor damage from the Chinese most of the 100,000 plus pieces of scripture, artwork and historical documents have disappeared. Up to 5,000 people a day used to visit the palace until 2003 when the Chinese imposed a 1,600 a day limit. The Potala Palace was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1994.
Golden Temple
Located in the city of Amritsar in India, the Golden Temple is the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. After roughly 20 years of construction the temple was finished in 1604. In the past 12 years the Golden Palace has been visited by many notable people including Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.
The Kremlin
Kremlin means fortress, castle or citadel in Russian and many cities in Russia have Kremlins but the main Kremlin is of course in Moscow. Sitting in the heart of Moscow overlooking the Moskva River the Kremlin has represented Russian power and might for thousands of years. The site has been inhabited since the 2nd millennium BC. The basic walls we know today as the Kremlin were constructed from 1485-1495 by order of Ivan III. The tsar’s occupied the Kremlin off and on through the years. When Napolean invaded Russia in 1812 he occupied the Kremlin for a little over a month and when the French fled Moscow he ordered his engineers to blow up the Kremlin. It suffered damage from the explosions but was not destroyed. After deposing the tsarist form of government the Soviets occupied the Kremlin from 1918. Today the Russian President and government occupy the Kremlin and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall dates from the 5th century BC and was added to and maintained to keep China’s northern border safe from attacks until the 16th century. It stretches over 4,000 miles in length and many of the parts that survive today are visited by over 1 million people per year.
The Capitol Building in Washington DC
Built to house Congress I really hesitated to add this structure. It meets the first two of principles of Vitruvius but misses the mark for most Americans today on the third principle as few Americans have their spirits lifted by anything that goes on inside this building today.
The next structure easily meets all three requirements despite our best efforts and was designed and constructed by the greatest architect of them all.
Earth
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