Sunday, April 12, 2009

Criticisms of the idea of the English Renaissance

The notion of calling this period "the Renaissance" is a modern invention, having been popularized by the historian in the nineteenth century. The idea of the Renaissance has come under increased criticism by many cultural historians, and some have contended that the "English Renaissance" has no real tie with the artistic achievements and aims of the northern Italian artists who are closely identified with the Renaissance.

I think that there was no English Renaissance, and that if there had been one, it had "no effect whatsoever".

The word "Renaissance" as an unnecessarily loaded word that implies an unambiguously positive "rebirth" from the supposedly more primitive Middle Ages. Some historians have asked the question "a renaissance for whom?

Actor: English (peoples)
Intention: To manipulate, to conquer
Rule: Architecture spread in European culture
Act: Conquer
Site: Europe
Product: Modern architecture


Renaissance Architecture Explanation

The term Renaissance is a French term meaning Rebirth. Collectively, the Renaissance is accepted is a time period when classical culture was reintroduced into Europe after the Middle Ages. It was a time when increased trade and culture diffusion shed a light upon the medieval European society. As a result the Middle Ages are also referred to as the Dark Ages. Chronologically the period lasted from the late 14th century into the early 17th century.

Italian Renaissance Architecture:

Given: Geographical modern Italy is no different than Ancient Italy and the Italy under the Roman Empire. Therefore the Renaissance was bound to have a strong impact on 16th century Italy. Here there was a rediscovery of classical architecture. The Greek orders went back into use as did Roman arches and vaults and domes. The vast majority of Renaissance architects borrowed from the Greek and Roman classical styles, but included with them at the time modern elements. The architecture may have resembled each other, but the times, in reality, had changed and so had the needs of the people. During both the Renaissance and the Ancient Classical world, beauty obviously was emphasized. In contrast, the Renaissance world was a secular one. We can only accept the fact that because culture was increasingly secular, that architecture as well would be increasing secular. Furthermore, during the Renaissance was an increasing movement known as the Humanist Movement, which focuses attention on the importance of the individual rather than a religion or government. Plenty works of art and architecture express this theme.

Renaissance architecture wasn't completely secular. For example, one of the greatest examples of Renaissance architecture in Italy is the Farnese Palace designed by Antonio da Sangallo. Work on the Farnese Palace began in around 1514. After Sangallo died, Michelangelo continued his designs. This Roman Palace was designed for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese - otherwise known as Pope Paul III.

Also, Michelangelo worked on the Sistine Chapel, designed for Pope Sixtus IV. It now lies in the Vatican at Rome.

French Renaissance Architecture:

Much Renaissance glory had been maintained by Italy for the Renaissance did begin there. However, under the reign of Louis XII, France achieved some Renaissance appearance. In 1546 work began on the Louvre, designed by Pierre Lescot. the Louvre was the French Renaissance expression.

English Renaissance Architecture:

In England the Renaissance was potent force in England during the 16th century. During this period two distinctive styles emerged:

Elizabethan style Jacobean style
  • blended Medieval and Renaissance styles
  • characteristic of large noble houses
  • transition from Medieval to Renaissance
  • Predominant during Queen Elizabeth's reign from 1558-1603
  • blended medieval and renaissance styles
  • characteristic of formal structures
  • transition from Elizabethan to Pure Renaissance
  • Predominant after Queen Elizabeth's reign
  • Tends to be more unified and consistent

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Apply what you have learned, the history of architecture of HBP


HBP was established in 1972 by the laye Tan Sri Proffesor Hamzah Sendut. HBP is the one of few building construction based on educational centre in Malaysia that have multi disciplinary in nature. The school was modeled along the lines of what Proffesor Koienesberger and Markus has envision to meet the need of a developing country.

Studio 200 is another step for me to learn more about architecture. I spent a year in Studio 100, yeah learned a bit of architecture but when in Studio 200, it is so different compare with Studio 100. Now I know, what is architecture all about. When in the studio, I can expressed all my ideas into drawings which included the sections and details. Well, I feel that I need to learn more and more about all these things.

In Studio 200, there are 3 different projects but for me, the most interesting project is project 2: Silat Hall by Assoc. Prof Ar Dr Abdul Majid. The site for the project is located in Perak. Well, of course that so much fun when having a trip. Besides from visiting the site, we alco can spend our holiday.

When visiting the site, we in the group of 3, do our jobs that have been giving earlier. Measuring the site is most difficult task. We have to force ourselves to go through the long bushes and we also already been informed by the client to take an extra careful because that is perigi buta around the site.
















We use a measuring tape (well that is only tool that we can get from HBP lab) for measurement the site. It is a very huge site, the combination between two lots of site. The site is actually near the small river and it was been erosion by the river itself. So we found a little difficulty to measure the site.

The site is very interesting and challenging because it is near by the small river. And the access road for the site is small and seem very difficult to find out the existing sewerage system and also the boundary line of the site.

Note the disinformation problems in its production

Well there were a disinformation during the site visit:


  • The grant that already given by the client is not really correct in scale and the boundary line. It is because the client only fax the grant to PM Dr Abdul Majid. So when we on the real site, it seem not right because that is some changes and the scale that been state on the grant is not accurate on the drawing.
  • So in order to make the site accurate, we have to use the AutoCad to make the area of the site same like the actual area of the real site.
  • Well, we get not really actual area but slightly accurate with the actual (just less 0.03m).

Ways to eliminate disinformation


I think in order to avoid the disinformation during measuring the site is to find out the actual site map from Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan (JUPEM). It is more acurate and also latest. And also we can ask about the characteristic of the site by the owner himself.

What is my datum for the truth?



My datum for the truth is to confirm with JUPEM and disgust with lecturers about the problems of the site. It is hard to do various types of job at the same time designing the building for our client. And we also to look up/ surf up to get an extra information about the climatic and others from Jabatan Kaji Cuaca Malaysia or Gaisma (www.gaisma.com).

And also we can get refer from MBI (Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh) to get more information about their Structure Plan in Perak.