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  During the French Renaissance, the economy grew immensely, giving birth to a consumer culture involving advertisements, increased availability of rare materials, and a desire to be “on trend.” During the Rococo period, art emphasized effect over process in hopes of creating dazzling, theatrical interiors that weren’t necessarily representational. One example of this is a room in the Hotel de Soubise that was remodeled by Boffrand. The wooden panels were painted to deemphasize the form and create a whimsical effect. Diagonally positioned mirrors reflected every corner of the room, visually expanding the space. The room was considered “modern” because it had no classical detailing. Later in the Renaissance, Francois I utilized Gothic forms with Italian Renaissance ornamentation. For example, his Chateau de Fountainbleau featured a coffered ceiling, fresco painting, wood paneling, and pilasters. This site also included elaborate gardens with lakes and fountains. The Hotel de Sou...

  Spanish architecture and design were primarily influenced by the Moors, who were Muslims from Africa. The Moors introduced supreme ornamentation and a strict use of only geometric shapes. Spanish architecture later went through three phases, each with their own unique characteristics and design patterns. The first of these was the Plateresco phase, or “silversmith’s style.” This phase involved delicate and intricate ornamentation that resembled the work of a silversmith. Next was Desornamento, which was characterized by a lack of ornamentation that created an austere and sober appearance. Lastly, the Herrera phase emphasized classic forms and plain surfaces with little ornamentation. Spanish interior spaces featured plain walls but elaborately decorated patios, galleries, doorways, and windows. Colored tiles, fringes, and cordoba leather work were all used to decorate interior spaces. Wrought iron grills are a distinctive feature of this period, as they were utilized in archite...

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=194CDlsFpQA This video is a comprehensive tour of Versailles and provides a peek into the royal life of King Louis XIV. I was surprised at the great differences between the decoration styles of the various rooms – regardless, each room is beautiful!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vZH1uC3998 I had no idea how intense and often childish the rivalry between Bernini and Borromini was! For example, the two architects once carved statues laughing at each other’s nearby work. Some conflicts may have stemmed from a difference in personality: Bernini was charismatic and socially adapt, while Borromini had a challenging personality.

  The Renaissance was a time of historic revival during which architects and designers were inspired by ancient Greek and Roman works. However, while retaining and combining Classical forms, designers added very ornate decorations that gave Renaissance design a completely new look. During this time, the culture was entirely man-centered, and designers strove for perfection, which is expressed in the architecture. For example, Santa Maria della Consolazione is a perfectly symmetrical centrally planned church in which form was unfortunately emphasized over function, leading to an unclear entrance and confusing interior flow. Regarding interiors, studies developed as a means of integrating work into one’s home life. These rooms housed desks, benches, book-storage cabinets, and chests and were used for trade meetings, quiet reflection, reading, and writing. The Baroque period was characterized by movement and emotion in form, resulting in complex and sometimes asymmetrical buildings....

  Although many different countries and areas are involved in this study, each with their own unique contributions to early American architecture, a focus on Mexico and Maya can be enriching. An early Mexican city, Teotihuacán, was organized with a grid along a central axis and contained the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which were precisely executed ritual structures. Many buildings in the area consisted of taluds (sloped bases) and tableros (raised panels). As a collectivist society, most people experienced a high standard of living in multi-family apartments that were organized around a courtyard. The Mayans had a different style of design, as expressed in their religious temples, which were built on top of pyramids and were small with a steep slope. Chichén Itzá was another important contribution: a stepped pyramid that related to the solar calendar. Mayan furniture was primarily composed of biological materials such as wood, reeds, grass, and leather, most ...

  This video explains how flying buttresses structurally function to support the lateral forces applied on the side walls by the pointed arches in a Gothic cathedral. After watching this video, I more fully understood that Gothic architecture’s primary goal of creating open and tall spaces would not be possible without the structural support of the flying buttress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjrDO_dEizY   The term “gothic” is often misused and misunderstood as relating to dyed hair and black clothing. However, his video explains the true historical background of gothic architecture and how literature changed the way many people view these structures. The speaker also shares some of the ways Gothic concepts can be used in modern homes to add personality and ornate details.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEyV64Kmqtc   Professional stained glass artist Derek Hunt explains his process of creating beautiful windows. He begins with drawing and coloring ...

  Gothic architecture grew out of Romanesque architecture, and Romanesque churches were often remodeled with Gothic features. At the same time, Gothic architects developed many unique and unprecedented concepts that are still used today. Their primary conceptual contribution is that of using walls in nonstructural ways – made possible by the flying buttress. When flying buttresses were used to support a wall, the wall itself could be covered with beautiful stained glass and tracery and become decorative. Another important addition was the pointed Gothic arch, whose height is unfixed and can be manipulated to create tall ceilings and rib vaults. A common ornamentation was the trefoil, which represented the Holy Trinity and was used in both furniture and buildings, including Notre Dame. Churches were incredibly wealthy during this time and could afford to hire expert carpenters, architects, and artists to furnish their buildings. Consequently, buffets, choir stalls, and other furni...