21.8 Lessons of Rome - Part 8 - Conclusions

Conclusions

In Rome with its countless monuments, the most appealing buildings where those stripped of the embellishments. The scale of St. Peters is enough to leave anyone in awe, but the abundance and variety of decoration allows very little to be comprehendible. The simplicity of Roman masonry construction with its clear structural logic is something both aesthetically pleasing and easily comprehendible.

Santa Costanza, Rome

The most memorable building for this viewer is the church of Santa Costanza (see photos). The building is a circular plan with and outer layer composed of thick wall of niches and an inner layer a screen of paired columns. The zone between the columns and the thick wall is a continuous barrel vault and the center space is a domed ceiling. The applied decoration is minimal consisting of mosaics on the barrel vault. 

21.7 Lessons of Rome - Part 7 - Porticos

Introduction

The study of Rome through architectural themes was an excellent methodology to look at the richness and diversity of the city. It also served as an opportunity to re-examine and further clarify the basic concepts that make architecture. The themes of windows, walls, rooms, courtyards, piazzas and porticos served as the stimulators for investigation and inquiry.

The Tempieto

Porticos

In a dense urban environment, the portico plays an important role as the mediator between public and private. This threshold between inside and outside can be conceived in 4 basic forms. First as a void carved into a continuous façade. Second as a piece added to the façade. Third as the whole façade itself and last as a continuous façade that wraps around the building. It may also be composed of any number of the 4 types combined.

21.6 Lessons of Rome - Part 6 - Piazzas

Introduction

The study of Rome through architectural themes was an excellent methodology to look at the richness and diversity of the city. It also served as an opportunity to re-examine and further clarify the basic concepts that make architecture. The themes of windows, walls, rooms, courtyards, piazzas and porticos served as the stimulators for investigation and inquiry.

Piazza San Ignazio

Piazzas

The pizzas seem to be the most successful in establishing a sense of enclosure when they are the Baroque molded spaces that are dynamic and seem to be constantly changing and when the space is clearly symmetrical.

21.5 Lessons of Rome - Part 5 - Courtyards

Introduction

The study of Rome through architectural themes was an excellent methodology to look at the richness and diversity of the city. It also served as an opportunity to re-examine and further clarify the basic concepts that make architecture. The themes of windows, walls, rooms, courtyards, piazzas and porticos served as the stimulators for investigation and inquiry.

Courtyards

The courtyard as an outdoor room utilizes much of the same design principles as an interior room. The qualities of a court are determined by its configuration, enclosing edges (spatial container) and its system of proportion.

Santa Maria della Pace – a square plan courtyard.

21.4 Lessons of Rome - Part 4 - Rooms

Introduction

The study of Rome through architectural themes was an excellent methodology to look at the richness and diversity of the city. It also served as an opportunity to re-examine and further clarify the basic concepts that make architecture. The themes of windows, walls, rooms, courtyards, piazzas and porticos served as the stimulators for investigation and inquiry.

Sunlight from the occulus of the Pantheon

Rooms

The room (a contained space) is given its individual qualities through its configuration, enclosing edges, scale, proportion and the way light is admitted into the space.

21.3 Lessons of Rome - Part 3 - Construction of Walls and Openings

Introduction

 

The study of Rome through architectural themes was an excellent methodology to look at the richness and diversity of the city. It also served as an opportunity to re-examine and further clarify the basic concepts that make architecture. The themes of windows, walls, rooms, courtyards, piazzas and porticos served as the stimulators for investigation and inquiry.

Construction of Walls and Openings

The ruins of Ostia, Pompeii, Hadrians Villa, the Palatine, the Forum and Trajan’s Market served as the classroom for the studying of construction techniques. The beauty of the ruins is in the expression of their construction.

Left to Right 1-4.  1. Opening using a stone sill and lintel.  2. Flat arch over a door opening.  3. Relieving arch with opening, flat arch and door opening. 4. Masonry lintel.

21.2 Lessons of Rome - Part 2 - Windows

Introduction

The study of Rome through architectural themes was an excellent methodology to look at the richness and diversity of the city. It also served as an opportunity to re-examine and further clarify the basic concepts that make architecture. The themes of windows, walls, rooms, courtyards, piazzas and porticos served as the stimulators for investigation and inquiry.

 

Windows

Openings in walls serve two fundamental purposes. They allow light into and order the interior space. Also they give organization to the wall belonging to the street or piazza. The conception of these openings belong to the basic categories with countless variations and combinations.

1. Blank windows give scale to the wall of a piazza or street.

21.1 Lessons of Rome - Part 1 - Experiencing the City

Experiencing the City

Rome City Plan Diagram



The city of Rome owes much of the Baroque planning ideas of monuments set along lines of vistas. In this city witn no regular planning grid, its monuments, meeting places, major streets and river serve as the elements that allow people to locate themselves in the city. These elements Kevin Lynch calls paths, edges, nodes and landmarks.