Week 7 Video Blog Review

1. Key Concepts:
    a)  The Prairie Style Video did a nice job of showing Frank Lloyd Wright.   His Prairie style housing design changed architecture.  Previously, houses were segmented, with closed room, a Victorian style.   Wright's design was organic, of the landscape.   he like open, horizontal spaces.   The fireplace was the main center point of the house.  Many windows give a house an open look.  The Tomak house was the first one with open spaces design.   Many new houses now have open designs, instead of small rooms.   Fallingwater used the cantilever design, with live waterfalls in the design.
   b)  Architecture: Science of Design:   This video discussed skyscraper design.   Even though they are steel and concrete, they still sway in the wind.   Wind tunnel testing is done to help the design and prevent sway.  Sometimes trees can be planted to prevent wind effects.  Smart houses for individuals are taking over, instead of large apartment houses.  Smart houses have all the energy efficient devices.   Concrete is still the material of choice, as Greek and Roman concrete is still standing, it's found in all forms of architecture.
  c)  Classical Architecture:    Ancient Greek and Roman classic architecture is used today, seen in places like Washington DC, and even in WWII Germany.   Three Greek styles of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns exist.   The Arch was invented by the Romans, and helped allow larger inside areas.   Prince Charles is leading the effort to get more classical construction instead of modernistic.  Modern architecture uses solar energy, energy efficient windows, and other smart technology.
   d)  Imperial Rome was chosen:   Rome was founded next to the Tiber river and the 7 Hill.  The Servian Wall was built around Rome as protection, then eventually the Aurelianic Wall.  Romans used stone for wall, bridges, and homes.    Aqueducts were great construction projects in those days, and brought water to the city.    Ostia and Portus were port cities and dock, used to receive and transport grain for the food supply of Rome.   Romans had to live close to work, since they could only walk to work, so they built interesting 5-story apartment houses.   Public latrines were constructed, and water was supplied with lead pipes.   That is one problem I see with Rome, is the lead poisoning potential.   Roman Palaces were great construction projects, as was the Pantheon temple (all the gods).   The Pantheon had a special round dome, and was rebuilt at least 2 times.  

2.  The videos related pretty well to the text, but as usual, they were superior.   Much easier to watch and learn for me.

3.  I like the videos, especially the Frank Lloyd Wright, and I liked hearing Prince Charles talk in the cameo.    I did not like the Science of Design very much, they spent too much time talking about wind tunnels and wind effects.

4.  I chose the Roman as the 4th video.   Mian reason is that I am 1/2 Italian, and I wanted to see something from my ancestors.