INTERNATIONAL. ART NOUVEAU. BAUHAUS. MODERNISM.

So there we are at the second batch of modern architecture.

We discussed 4 more eras that really gave us a hard time figuring out the differences.

There's the Art Nouveau, the Bauhaus, the International and the Modernism in Architecture.

Art Nouveau expounded the and introduced the plant design, adding a mixture of green and modern to the structure giving it unique features that is really both helpful and pleasant in the environment. It also indicates the explosion of details. More on Random curves that gives it a more artistic and flowing look. The difference of Art Nouveau with Art Deco is that Deco reveals edgy geometric shapes while Nouveau exerts it's inner most curves. So it's more like dealing with the gender differences, edgy like guys and curvy like girls but it doesn't mean that both is distinctive by gender, I'm just giving a great example of it's classification.

Bauhaus started the blank designs. Like, No Ornamentation of any kind. It's bland bold and basic in design but styles emerges with uniqueness and vitality. Also it started from the school named Bauhaus. In other terms it can be noted as the "Absence of Decoration". They used glass, steel and wood to build their structures.

International Style.
International style is like the generic version of the Bauhaus and other prominent and distinctive styles. Giving the characteristics the same as the Bauhaus, with No Ornamentation of any kind but the hint is that it's best applied to any location, any site, and any climate. The term "International Architecture" had it's origin from the name of a book by Henry-Russel Hitchcock and Philip Johnson giving it a classification of a Major Architectural Style. It is also notified as an eclectic mix of past traditions.

Modernism is the real deal of today's generation because in this era is where we are aspired to be because it's where we are right now. it shares the same characteristics as the international architecture but is more prominent in design and really shows modernism in terms of structures, styles, and details.

I love the modern age because this is where we are right now and it connotes the development of architecture as well as our culture. Although there are times when Eras tend to merge styles, or should I say being eclectic in design. for me, I don't want to tolerate such mannerism of design because it leads to inappropriation and it doesnt signify the uniqueness of the the eras it mix.

I want to enhance more the technology and architecture nowadays. I want to start create a new era that the Philippines would be renowned of and with that I can say it will change people's lives. :)

INTRODUCTION TO MODERN CIVILIZATION

We're getting closer and closer to the Present and Pre-Future Age of Architecture.

Last Friday we discussed some of the early modern civilization which were the Industrial Revolution and the Art Deco.

In this eras, machinery and modern engineering were born. Its origins in Paris in the first decades of the 20th century. It evolved in Europe during the 1st world war until late 1930s
Characterized by lavish ornamentaion, superlative craftsmanship and fine materials.
Also characterized by sleek, streamlined forms; geometric patterns; and experiments with industrial materials such as metals, plastics, and glass.

People in these eras, were the ones who exposed the use of metal and introduced plastic and glass in the architecture and engineering society. I love seeing houses, buildings and structures made entirely in glass. It makes me feel like I'm living inside a diamond. And of course the ever reliable metal which is one of the strongest and sturdiest material there is for construction.

They did a very great start for the modern architecture era and I'm waiting for more for the next generations. :)

OLD ENGLISH FASHION

We did a Photoshoot on the three (3) Old English Eras of Architecture, namely; Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque-Rococo. This is to be exhibited this Friday, November 19, 2010 at the DLS-CSB SDA 12th floor Ampitheater. The exhibit was made to showcase all our talents and knowledge about Architecture, Photography, Arts, and Fashion. Everybody is invited to come and see our exhibit to get a glimpse of the aura of Old English Architecture.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Nadine Seballos & Patrick Almera

STYLIST: Patrick Almera

MAKE-UP ARTIST: Hazel Irlandez

EDITS & EFFECTS: Patrick Almera

PATRICK ALMERA (ME)

JOICE VELASCO

MIGUEL ORTIZ

NADINE SEBALLOS

WARLO SANDOVAL




HAZEL IRLANDEZ

MAR UY

Here are some of the group pictures we did.

Hope you could visit our exhibit. Thank You. :)

--Peejay A

THE COLONIAL AMERICA

I was surprised when 2 of my classmates presented this topic in our HSTARCH2 (History of Architecture 2). I never thought that the Colonial America Period had conquered alot of cities and countries. They spread their distinctive styles in different part of the world ike in Netherlands, America, French, German, etc.

Most of the styles cathegorized by the Colonial America and is very prominent from then on was the brick layering and especially the use of brick. We discussed different ways how to layer bricks there are the shiner, sailor and header. It's difficult to identify the different layerings at first but somehow we managed to get a solution for this problem. We actually made hand gestures that looked like the Macarena dance, hopefully we could remember all the gestures.

So there are also the implication of the past styles just like the gothic, renaissance, etc. but is now a bit modernized or the "Revival" as we call it. This is where the NEOCLASSICAL comes in. They are fond of reviving original styles from the past and adding something new to it giving it a new term.

Though this period doesn't have much originality still I liked how the outcomes and outputs turned out to be having constructed perfectly and amazingly. This is not my favorite Period but I learned and got alot from it. It was Overwhelming.

(PICTURES SOON TO COME) :)

INSIGHTS OF MEDITERRANEAN

Mediterranean is a huge word when it comes to Architecture because this style conquered a lot of countries and started spreading it's wonderful designs.

Mediterranean, as my teacher have said, is known for its three (3) main distinctive designs:
1) It is very colorful. They use mostly vibrant and vivid colors giving at festive look and vibe.
2) Floral in design. It is very common for them to engage in floral designs from the Rococo period's Boudoirs.
3) Windows. Their windows have wooden shutters that is very attractive to the eyes at the same time helpful to block the very warm rays of sun.

We watched a movie last week, entitled " LETTERS TO JULIET".


When a young American travels to the city of Verona, home of the star-crossed lover Juliet Capulet of Romeo and Juliet fame, she joins a group of volunteers who respond to letters to Juliet seeking advice about love. After answering one letter dated 1951, she inspires its author to travel to Italy in search of her long-lost love and sets off a chain of events that will bring a love into both their lives unlike anything they ever imagined.

Here are some pics from the movie.


The movie is very nice, down-to-earth, and touching. It shows the value of LOVE and how it goes throughout one's life may we be young or old, true love never dies.

Also in the movie, it showed a lot of Architectural styles in the Mediterranean period like the window shutters, brick walls, festive colors, vintage lamps, fresco dining, floral designs, etc.

Watch it and you'll be teary with its story at the same time amazed by the beauty of the setting.

BAROQUE & ROCOCO

BAROQUE & ROCOCO are two of the most magnificent and well translated elegance of Architecture and the Arts in the old English period. It shows the majestic implementations of classical designs which deals with more gold features and more distinctive designs that makes it very noticeable and prominent in the history of Architecture.

GOLD is the color of this era. They usually use gold plated crafts to give emphasis to the prominent Baroque & Rococo Style to showcase their sophistication and tranquility in their design. I love the color gold when it comes to furniture because it boosts out the upper class look of it's vintage-classic style. Gold is also often used as embelishment in their outfits, curtains, etc.


The TWISTED COLUMN. It is one of my most favorite features of the Baroque & Rococo Period. It gives a very intriguing effect to buildings and houses. It has a very simple detail, just a twisted style and that's it, unlike the other column that has a lot of vines and flowers engraved unto it making too extravagant for just a pillar/column. When painted in gold it enhances its beauty and it compliments the whole facade of a building. It is also very noticeable very prominent and very unique in its own way.


Another important style in Baroque & Rococo is the BOUDOIRS. It is like an exaggerated floral design with vines swirling making it very feminine. It is also very prominent even in Filipino designs often seen in wood carvings and curtain designs but has a different name.

In fashion, Baroque & Rococo have this taste of heavy draping and wide mouthed skirts also with huge puffed sleeves with laced linings for women while lose long sleeves, ascots, tights, and white knee socks for men. Gold, laces, and velvets are often used in their clothing.

THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD

The Renaissance was one of the most classical period of architecture i know. I love its elegance, purity, uniqueness, and its preciseness in details. Alot of designs today have the implication of Renaissance in their home, may it be an architectural style, exterior/interior design, etc.

I like Renaissance because of it's daring artist and architects that started the style. Just like Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, etc.

I like how Renaissance maintained the Gothic Style and somehow made it their own. They even went farther from it's style so that people could distinguish it's diference, smart thinking. Also Renaissance gave an idea of how ecclectic style develops. One thing that I really remember is that Renaissance is assymmetrical in design and style, while Gothic shows symmetrical.

The best part of Renaissance that I really loved knowing about is the St. Peter's Basilica because of it's key shape plan and its architectural design and style. It's one of the biggest and most distinctive structure in the Renaissance Period.

Also, renaissance added a new order: The Tuscan, that completes the package.

Renaissance is magnificent in all fields, it's fahion, arts, structures, etc. and what a great impact they have made to modern times.

(NO PICS YET: Image uploads will be disabled for two hours due to maintenance at 5:00PM PDT Wednesday, Oct. 20th.)

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

Gothic architecture is one of my least liked periods in architecture until i have completely learned all about it. It is a style of architecture which flourished in Europe during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. It originated in th 12th -61th century in France. It was known as the "The French Style" (Opus Francigenum) during the period. Its characteristic features include the pointed arch, the ribbed vault, the rose window, and the flying buttress.

Gothic Architecture expressed it's power in great churches and cathedrals. I was very impressed with how they came up with that kind of idea and used it to replenish faith during the Bubonic Plague. Styles and designs in that time were really scary having used of the distressed look. Almost all were haunted-looking and cursing out dark auras.



So what I remember about Gothic Architecture and it's tremendous styles is the movie SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, one of my favorite movies, because of it's dark and barbaric setting. It was a perfect example of GOTHIC.



Gothic Architecture is also inclined with Gothic Fashion. In fashion, gothic speaks of black and demonic. Demonic giving emphasis to the gargoyles of Gothic cathedrals. Corsettes and really huge bottoms or dresses conotes the magnificent curves of the arches. Extremely drapped skirts also give resemblance to drapped curtains inside the churches. And also, a cross is both present in Gothic architecture and fashion may it be a necklace, pendant, rosary, etc.

What I really loved about Gothic Architecture? ROSE WINDOWS! It gives a strong impression of beauty, elegance and uniqueness. Another are the scary GARGOYLES it makes me remember the movie, Beauty and the Beast because there was a part there where Beast was hiding behind gargoyles and especially the talking gargoyles from Hunch Back of Notre Dame.

So there, Gothic is not my favorite but it really is one of the most unique and distinctive era in Architecture.

Color and Me

Color is all around us. We see it on the street, we see it on food, we see it on clothes, we see it on houses, etc. Color is very important in our lives because it gives us excitement to our daily lives, without it everything would be so dull and it's like a world with no emotions.

I love the night life because it is where you can see various colors that are often man-made, just like, stop lights, billboard lights, disco lights, even lights of a car. Night life is one of the best ways to enjoy color because you can clearly see how colors project beyond the dark skies and streets. I also noticed that it really boosts our energy especially when entering a club with loud music and sparkling rays of neon lights. Color gives a loud vibe to our lifestyle.

Color is very present in Fashion. Color is often one of the major topics when it comes to discussing color harmony because it is where you find out what color best complements your skin tone and what color pops out your inner most personality, vibe and emotion. As for me, I really love blue on clothes because I don't have a very fair white complexion, I'm tan and it's very difficult for me to wear vibrant colors such as orange, yellow, hot pink and especially neon colors but somehow it works out for me. Neon colored clothes can be very tricky if we aren’t aware of some principles on how to wear and accessorize acid green, muted neon, pink or in cases electric blue clothes. Indeed the designers’ tendency to evoke the trends of the 80’s is surprising, however many people welcomed it with excitement. Also in fashion, color shows your decency. When I'm wearing corporate attire in professional cases, I make sure I put on neutral colors such as black, white and gray because it really shows how serious I am in what I'm dealing with.


I remembered the time I died my hair dark red, people quite stare at me because they feel that I'm tough and ready for action because red is a very strong color, then I tried black-blue, it;s very electrifying and I look so cool and happy all the times. Recently, I just died my hair a rust brown tone, and really works out for me, my skin looks whiter and I look so calmed and relaxed as I have noticed, earth tones make people feel comfortable and relaxed.


Color is also a main factor in dealing with food and culinary presentations because it enhances the taste of those savory treats. I fast food restaurants, the color scheme of their area are often red, orange, and yellow because it gives a strong appetite that is eager to eat. However, in fine dining restaurants colors are of earth tones and sometimes heavenly colors because they want you to relax as you are having a taste off their scrumptious meals. Another factor of color in relation to food is that whenever I think of a certain color, a treat comes popping out my head. For example the color brown, whenever I try imagining the color I have this passion for chocolates, when I think of red orange Kaldereta (a Filipino dish) comes out of my imagination. So that's color relates to my appetite.

Color has always been my best buddy. it gives contrast to my life and to everything that surrounds me. And that's how I define
COLOR and ME.

Architecture is a Language

Architecture is a word.

Architecture is a sentence.

Architecture is a topic.

Architecture is a thought.

Architecture is a practice.

Architecture is an expression.

Architecture is a concern.

Architecture is a passion.

Architecture has a definition.

In short,

ARCHITECTURE IS A LANGUAGE.

Architecture is the applied combination of both Arts and Science. It deals with people's wants and needs. It gives an impression of unity and honesty. It gives a certain expression to people surrounding it. That's Architecture for me.

Architecture starts with a Philosophy. It starts the novel of our life in the expertise we are in and with this, we are able to give value to our wants and needs, our likes and dislikes. It is the basis of our designs and concepts in creating marvelous projects.

Our own designs speaks a lot already, it is where we acquire the milestones towards our future. it tells what kind of style we acquire in both life and architecture.

As I was taking up my ADESPRN (Architectural Design and Principles) subject I realized that Architecture is also a category of Fashion because it shows what is in and what is out out of style, it also shows the do's and dont's in design, and especially it gives impact to trend and fashion culture.

Body language is also a good example for Architectural forms because in architecture, it shows the rhythm, the form, and the flow of how your structure is moving in the sense of giving an optical illusion to the viewer's eyes. The movement of the body quite relates to the structure of a building. Our body bends, there are buildings that are bent. Our body twists, there are twisted structures. Our body moves, there are structures that shows rhythm and motion.

So I guess that proves it.

Architecture is a Language. :)

Architecture. Is this the right course for me?

At first, I really didn’t want to be an Architect. I wanted to become an International RnB Singer or a Songwriter for Famous Artists or a Stage Actor or an Editor-in-Chief in a Fashion Magazine or an International Fashion Designer. But all those dreams I wished for are really behind me right now, they’re just my hobbies. My parents were the ones who actually forced me to pursue this career, and i wasn’t all that excited about it.

I studied in Don Bosco Technical Institute – Makati back in elementary to high school. I was an Industrial Drafting Student, and being one means a bridge towards Architecture or Engineering. I was taught how to design interiors and exteriors of houses and buildings, how to render like an Architect, how to create plans using manual drawing and CAD, how to understand Architecture and it’s history and especially how to be an Artist. Having known all these topics gave me an idea of how Architecture is going to bee for me once I started college.

So speaking about college makes me wanna share all my experiences with you people. There were rough times, good times, stress weeks, hell weeks, and most of all the enjoyable weeks.

The first term of my college life was really nerve racking. It is actually my basis whether to continue Architecture or not. So the first week was “Getting to Know Each Other Week”. I’ve met a lot of artistic and talented people just like me in the same block. They were really nice at all but to be honest, I was really scared that they might be better than me. That’s one of my weaknesses actually, losing in something I know I’m good at. So I was really nervous at first but I somehow managed that fear because I know for the fact that not everything should be me, sometimes I have to give way for the others who I know are better than me especially when you’re in a class with all your friends surrounding you. It’s really hard to compete with friends.

The first impression of my Architecture professors of me is that I should be the best in class having graduated from a technical school. I was really pressured because they expect a lot from me. I gave my best in everything for the first four weeks of the first term but suddenly I felt that I was pressuring myself too much and that I was a “trying hard student” because this was really not my preferred course. My professors noticed that I was pulling myself backwards especially my ADESPRN(Archityectural Design & Principles)/HSTARC1(History of Architecture 1) professor, Sir Jimmy Caumeron and my ATCHDRW(Architectural Technical Drawing) professor, Sir Paolo Vicencio.

In the middle of the term, Sir Jimmy often talks to me about the course and if I really want in, and also, he always encourages me to do better and try thinking of my future and with what I’m happy to be. Sir Paolo also talked to me at the very last meeting for ATCHDRW, he said that he was really disappointed with my performance during the half term, he was really counting on me to bee the best in class and he taught me one valuable lesson, “Never take everything for granted, because life does not always lie on the happy and positive sides but also the negative and irritable sides. Whatever course you choose, you will still encounter things that you will never like.” Having him said that really prevented my idea of shifting to another course.

I really tried to listen to both my professors and I reflected on every talk we had. i know that everything is in this course and if I just put a lot of effort in all my works, I know that I’ll succeed. I also realized that woke up from the reckless dream I was having and led me straight to reality. I want to be an Architect and this is the right course for me. :)