Archive for category Architecture
The Architecture of Cape Town
Posted by in Architecture on July 15, 2011
Cape Town presents an odd mix of historical buildings. They are the result of the city’s historical role as the halfway point on the maritime trade route between Western Europe and the Far East, and of colonisation by the Dutch and then the British. Cape Town’s hottest tourist attraction, the glitzy V&A Waterfront Complex, is a newcomer; a late 20th century mall built on the remnants of the Victorian era wharfs and an 18th century military installation, the Chavonnes Battery. The city has contemporary bungalows and high-rise office buildings, but visitors can also see Georgian mosques, Cape Dutch houses, Victorian terraces, and Moravian churches.
Cape Dutch Style
It is clear from its architecture that Cape Town is Africa’s least African city. From the time construction began on the Castle of Good Hope in the 17th century, the main influences on the city’s architecture have been European. The signature style that developed here is called Cape Dutch. In the Winelands outside Cape Town this style can be seen in the thatched and gabled manor houses. Within the city, some of the best examples of Cape Dutch architecture can be seen in the excellent Koopmans-De Wet House, and Rust-en-Vreugd in the city centre. Also look for it in the more modest terraces of the Bo-Kaap district.
Long Street Collage
Nowhere else in South Africa will you find the historic range and architectural variety that is found on the Cape Peninsula. Long Street, one of the most famous thoroughfares in Cape Town, is a case in point. Take a walk down this street and you will see a collage of architectural styles that show both Dutch and English influence. The 18th century Palm Tree Mosque stands next to three-storey Victorian buildings that now serve as low cost lodgings for backpackers. Near the harbour end of Long Street, visitors can see a splendid example of an early 19th century Dutch Mission Church, right next to an Art Noveau office building. Close by, the mid 18th century Baroque style Old Town House overlooks the same square as a group of Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and 1930s. Overlooking all of this are Cape Town’s modern skyscrapers. These are modest by North American standards, but they are nonetheless in contrast to what is generally associated with Africa. Read the rest of this entry »
Top 10 Architecture Books of 2010
Posted by in Architecture on July 15, 2011
Architecture is the source of identity as it defines the structure of a state. Britain is rich in its architectural heritage, which stretches back to more than 5000 years. After the era of great recession the construction and infrastructure sector in the UK boomed and the number of architectural institutes and training centres consequently grew. Today, professional architects to protect your interests by providing comfort, utility, size, appearance, style and location that suits you. As Roman architect Palladio Vitruvius once said that architecture should provide firmness, commodity and delight.
Architecture is the art and science of defining space. Designers pay attention to the local practices regarding materials and colours, roof pitches, eave lengths, window-to-wall ratios, and the socially significant relationship of buildings to their site and the street. With the advent of technology and new innovations the emphasis of the modern commercial architects have diverted towards energy efficiency and green building by making eco-friendly researches and development of healthier environments for the good of future generations.
Books play a vital role in learning and in gaining knowledge about various skills used in building procedures. It is the basic foundation on which academic skills of an individual are built. An architectural book usually starts from the basics of architecture like design, drawing, the creative process, and presentation. The reading of an architecture planning book starts from basic of building design such as how to draw a line. A number project architect administrative books contains chapters covering the areas such as project delivery system, resident inspection office responsibilities, documentation, construction laws and labour relations, materials, claims and disputes on properties, project closeout and others.
Various books and publications have been providing the fans of architecture and amateur architects with the basics of architectural world. The most favoured books of this year that contain information on architecture includes Read the rest of this entry »