The prehistoric period includes the Paleolithic,
Neolithic, and Bronze Ages and covers the very earliest human architecture and
interior design creations -- from 2500000-1000 BCE. One very significant dwelling
from the Paleolithic Age, which involved the first development of stone
implements, is Lascaux, a series of caves used for rituals that have engravings
and painted animals lining the walls. This was an example of representational
art that was probably amazing to the ancient people who watched the images
appear to move in the flickering firelight. In the Neolithic Age, humans used
more pottery and refined stone implements to create interior spaces. Homes such
as those found at Skara Brae contained dressers, hearths, and furniture built
right into the walls of the home for daily living purposes. During the same time
period, giant upright stones called menhirs and post-and-lintel style dolmens
were set into place as monuments for religious purposes. Lastly, the prehistoric
period ended with the Bronze Age, when stone was no longer the primary building
material for homes and objects. Instead, the significant material of the time was
metal, which was used to create weapons, jewelry, and tools. Ultimately, humans
during the Prehistoric Era created beautiful and functional spaces for the
purposes of living and rituals.
Neolithic Homes in Cyprus
Dolmen of Menga
Jerico Archaeological Site Aerial
View
Jericho Tower
Current Applications of this Design
Period
Fortezza Stone Bench by William
Stuart
Cafarót 03 Bowl by Soledre
Midsummer’s Night by Mina Wright
Ceremic Side Table Pepites by
Laetitia Perrin Studio
One Step Further
Steven Holl was born in 1947 in the state
of Washington. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Washington in the department of architecture in 1971. He designs beautiful and
surprising buildings that often are inspired by the concepts of prehistoric
architecture. For example, The Hunters Point Library contains shapes that take
inspiration from the Prehistoric Era, such as the round and unpredictable cut
carved out of the façade that resembles the jagged yet smooth rocks of
post-and-lintel structures such as dolmens. Another of Holl’s buildings is the Terezín
Ghetto Museum, which has a large stone-like form that was inspired by prehistoric
menhirs. This shape especially resembles a giant stone in Holl’s simple watercolor
painting from the side view: the quadrilaterals line up and point directly
upwards.
Steven Holl
Hunters Point Library
Hunters Point Library
Terezín Ghetto Museum
Terezín Ghetto Museum
2.
I had never heard of Stephen Holl before reading your post, and I think it's super cool that he is inspired by prehistoric architecture. I really like the Hunters Point Library. It is pretty rare to see, but beautiful how he can connect it to modern desires! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAbigail,
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is exactly what I was looking for. You summarized the material and provided excellent image3s to support the material. You also clearly labeled every visual example you provided. I also loved your current day examples. Referencing Stephan Holl was perfect for an architect that tries to capture the "prehistoric" elements. Well done 50/50 points
Hey Abigail! Thanks for introducing me to Stephen Holl. His museum really caught my attention. It is amazing to see how architecture has evolved since Neolithic times of using natural materials and limited resources.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s really interesting how you connected Steven Holl’s work to prehistoric monuments. The Terezín Ghetto Museum really does look like a giant menhir. I also appreciated the way you explained the Bronze Age as the moment when stone was no longer the main material such a clear way to close the timeline of prehistory.
ReplyDelete