FROM THE HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

 

When our ancestors emerged from caves their first efforts at obtaining man-made shelters were probably devoted to supporting branches against trees and rocks and covering them with large leaves. From these beginnings was developed the column and beam system of construction.

For many centuries the column and beam was the only generally employed method of stone construction; according to this method were produced the beautiful impressive monu­ments of Egypt and Persia, which reached their highest point of beauty in Greece.

In Mesopotamia the presence of excellent clay and the scarcity of stone and timber led in the very early days to the introduction of brick construction and the development of the vault and dome as a means of covering spans and areas.

During the Roman Empire round arches, vaults and domes were perfected, as never before, in stone, brick, and concrete, this development being made possible by the abundance in Italy of good limestone and pozzuolana, a volcanic material, which when mixed with lime produced an excellent cement,

The pointed arch was an inherent feature of the Gothic style, but it was not the only element in this remarkable architecture.

The awakening of classical culture in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries brought with it the Renaissance of Roman architecture. And indeed the spirit of those days made a fresh and living thing of the revived elements, developing and perfecting them far beyond their Roman values, though structurally contributing little. The constructive principles did not develop and have endured until, in our time, the use of steel and reinforced concrete introduced new possibi­lities into construction.

The structural scheme today is one of skeleton framework, but the materials at hand have indefinitely expanded the possibilities. The more recent developments in arch and shell construction contain a promise of great possibilities in the architectural design of the future. Our ideal should be to develop the extraordinary possibilities of modern struc­tural principles and of modern materials in the light of sim­plicity, economy, and the demands of our time.

A Great Russian Architect. V. I. Bazhenov (1737-1799) was the founder of the Rus­sian architectural classics of the 18th century.

In 1784-1786 he created one of his best works, a master­piece of Russian classical architecture — the famous Pashkov house which is now the old building of the Lenin Library in Moscow.

Those who have seen his impressive buildings and looked at them with understanding will feel that he fully succeeded in his purpose and that he gave the world something that will take its place with the greatest structures of the world.

In addition to his being an outstanding artist and archi­tect he was also a well-known figure encyclopedically educat­ed. He was 28 when he became academician in St. Peters­burg as well as a member of several academies abroad. At the same time he was a brilliant practical engineer and an incomparable designer of architectural ensembles, the Krem­lin Palace being one of these.

How Materials Influence the Schools of Architecture. It is of interest to note briefly the influence of materials upon the schools of architecture. Where clay abounded, as in Egypt, sun-dried bricks were easily and cheaply made. Stone was also obtainable, and because of its durability it became the material of the temples and palaces; the less pretentious dwellings were built of brick. In Mesopotamia large brick buildings were constructed, and, in the absence of stone and wood to span their areas, the arch and dome came into being. Greece possessed perfect marble for columns and beams, and the arch and dome received little attention. A for­tunate combination of lime, limestone, clay, and pozzuolana gave Rome stone and cement, and the great mass of her struc­tures is largely due to the union of stone, brick, strong mor­tar, and concrete. In Northern Europe, Switzerland, and Russia, where forests abounded and other materials were difficult to obtain, wooden architecture was characteristic for buildings of all types.

Science, machinery, and easy transportation are now bring­ing to the hands of architects resources of materials hitherto unknown or unobtainable.

Most of the world's great architecture is in stone, because until recently this was the material used in practically all the buildings where monumentality and permanence were desired. Thus, the stone tradition has permeated much of our architectural thinking and has determined much of our taste and judgment.

To say that the history of architecture is embraced en­tirely in stone structures is not accurate, for this neglects the remarkable work of the Romans in concrete and many struc­tures of wood and brick throughout the world.

The Bolshoi Theatre. The Bolshoi Theatre is the leading Soviet theatre of opera and ballet and has played an enormous part in developing both these arts. Such famous singers as Chaliapin, Sobinov, Nezhdanova, Obukhova, Barsova and Kozlovsky have per­formed on its stage. Many gifted young artists have appeared there in recent years. The Bolshoi Ballet is world famous and has made successful tours in Britain, France, Belgium, Japan, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United States and other countries.

Reviews of the national art of the Union Republics of the USSR are held at the Bolshoi Theatre, and it is also used for celebrating important dates in the social and political life of the country. In 1924, the first Constitution of the USSR was adopted at the Second Congress of Soviets, which was held in the Bolshoi Theatre.

The history of the building is as follows. It was first built in 1780 and destroyed a quarter of a century later by fire.

Twenty years afterwards the architect O. Bove erected a new building in the Russian classical style. In 1853 it was again damaged by fire. It was soon restored, however, by A. Kavos who adhered mainly to the previous architectural design. It is one of the largest opera houses in the world. The five-tier auditorium is 21 metres high, 26 metres wide and 25 me­tres long, and seats more than 2,000.

2. Переведите на русский язык следующие английские словосочетания:

1. method of stone construction; 6. column and beam system of construction;

2. impressive monu­ments; 7. constructive principles;

3. volcanic material; 8. reinforced concrete;

4. skeleton framework; 9. pretentious dwellings;

5. classical culture; 10. brick buildings

 

3. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующих словосочетаний:

1. пуццолан; 6. вычурные жилища;

2. кирпичные здания; 7. каркасная конструкция;

3. высочайшая точка красоты; 8. отсутствие камня;

4. средства перекрытия; 9. классическая культура;

5. впечатляющие здания; 10. вулканический материал.

4. Найдите в тексте слова, имеющие общий корень с данными словами. Определите, к какой части речи они относятся, и переведите их на русский язык:

1. construct 6. main

2. architecture 7. build

3. remark 8. beauty

4. transport 9. impress

5. dwell 10. general

 

5. Задайте к выделенному в тексте предложению все типы вопросов (общий, альтернативный, разделительный, специальный: а) к подлежащему, б) к второстепенному члену предложения).

 

6. Выполните анализ данных предложений, обратив внимание на следующие грамматические явления: формы и функции причастия, независимый причастный оборот, формы и функции герундия, герундиальный оборот, конверсия:

1. Many gifted young artists have appeared there in recent years.

2. With awakening of classical culture in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries brought with it the Renaissance of Roman architecture.

3. The structural scheme today is one of skeleton framework, the materials at hand having indefinitely expanded the possibilities.

4. In addition to his being an outstanding artist and archi­tect he was also a well-known figure encyclopedically educat­ed.

5. The history of the building is as follows. It was first built in 1780 and destroyed a quarter of a century later by fire.

7. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту:

1. What did the first man-made shelters look like?

2. What method of stone construction was used for many centuries?

3. What were the means of covering spans and areas developed in Mesopotamia?

4. When and where were round arches, vaults and domes perfected?

5. Who was the founder of the Rus­sian architectural classics of the 18th century?

6. What gave Rome stone and cement?

7. What is the history of the Bolshoi Theatre?