Teotihuacan

Today I am taking a virtual tour to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. There are three major areas of the site that could provide great insight into the socio-political climate of the time. The pyramids, the Ciudadela and the Avenue of Death that cuts through the entire site. 

This is a somewhat disorganized city because the speculated chronological sequence of its development does not fit most settlement models. As we enter the city, we go through the Ciudadela then we proceed down Avenue of Death towards the main religious monuments, the pyramids. As we walk along the main road down the center of Teotihuacan,we really get a sense of how large and imposing the architectural structures are. The paths themselves were long and very wide. Especially in comparison to the wide expanse of relatively flat land, the pyramids appear especially outstanding. Looking up from the base of the pyramids, the height and the width are very striking and seems as though it is towering over the visitors. We see the Pyramid of Sun first, then at the end of the road it is the Pyramid of the Moon. The pyramid of the Sun is evidently larger than that of the Moon, which suggests a hierarchical scale in terms of ritualistic activities.

The entire area is still somewhat like a desert and very bare. These main structures from the ancient settlements remain the most striking features of the region.

Timgad vs. Pikillacta

Today I am looking at the two archeological sites, the Roman colonial center of Thamugadi, Timgad, and the Wari military center of Pikillacta.

The main similarity between the two is that both sites are heavy on the segregation aspect of town construction for militaristic purposes. Both places were clearly constructed with a conscious plan. The rigid block system reflects the ideals both culture value: order and stability.

It is interesting that Timgad is so structured, as ancient Rome was built in a very organic manner with little to no logical planning evident. Such grid plans were implemented throughout the Roman Empire colonies and it became a mark of the expansion of the empire. Evolving from a military center, Timgad adopted the Roman culture as can be seen in its architectural forms. Buildings such as the Forum, amphitheatres, public bathhouses and other important government buildings were placed in the town center with residential complexes surrounding. This is a way of the Roman empire showcasing its power over the colonies as it spread its culture all over the region.

Timgad, Thamugadi (Algeria), c. 100AD
Photograph from Google Satellite

Pikillacta, Peru
Photograph from Google Satellite

Pikillacta’s harmonious rectangular blocks separated by straight streets are surrounded by thick, massive walls that appear to be of fortifying purposes. This sort of planning, adapted from its previous militaristic nature, establishes a hierarchy of space. The elite are located in the center of it all while the commoners are in the peripherals, highlighting the structure of the society hierarchy. By geographically separating the different buildings, people are forced to interact in a way that further emphasizes the hegemonic power system. Like the Wari emperors, the Roman emperors use this grid system to reinforce the society hierarchy as well.

However, much of the literature and studies on Pikillacta is speculative and unconfirmed as there were little written records about the Wari culture and their lives in Pikillacta. The purpose of the complex, in particular, is up for debates. Therefore although Pikillacta and Timgad have similar physical planning, it is difficult to draw the same ideological conclusions from the two places.

Roman Holiday

Today I am taking a virtual tour of Rome according to a post on LonelyPlanet.

First I will start my day at the Piazza della Rotunda, where the famous Pantheon is. This structure is one of the Romans' most significant and important architectural achievements mainly because of its large dome. The whole building has extremely carefully calibrated dimensions and symmetry which allowed for it to remain a spectacular feat of engineering even to this date of incredible technological advances. The monumental building is the most well preserved ancient Roman architecture today because of its consecration as a church since the 7th century, which is lucky for all of us tourists and art historians.

Pantheon, Rome, Italy (118-125AD)

After the Pantheon, I will walk to the Capitoline Hill through Piazza Venezia, the heart of the city. Past the sweeping stairs I arrive at the Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio. There we see the headquarters of Italian government as well as the statues of Romulus and Remus. This place houses many examples of Renaissance architecture.

Michelangelo Burronaroti, Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome, Italy (1536-1546)

Following the Capitoline Hill, I walk down Via del Imperiali to the Roman Forum. This area was the center for Roman public life. The Forum was the site for many important buildings for centuries in Roman history and it became the spectacular showcase of the Roman Empire filled with beautiful statues and architecture. As time went on since Caesar's forum, his successors makes it a point to outdo the previous emperor with large, more extravagant monuments of their success, proving how architecture embodies the ideologies the 'elite' wish to proclaim.

Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

From there I walk to the Colosseum, several minutes away. Colosseum is the icon of Roman history and culture. This structure represents not only the Roman Empire's strength through its incredible size, but also the fascinating violent culture of the time. The Colosseum remains as the symbol of Imperial Rome despite the damages from stone robbers and earthquakes as it symbolizes the wealth and power of the ruling family, the Flavius'. It demonstrated the abundance of resources they had, the contentment and stability of their empire to allow for such investments in pure entertainment.

Colosseum, Rome, Italy (ca. 70-80AD)

Heritage

Hello, my name is Jen and this blog is to document my thoughts on architecture and its effect on the urban space. 

Being raised in Hong Kong, I have always taken sky scrapers and clusters after clusters of buildings for granted. In fact, empty spaces for gardens or low rise buildings are considered to be special. The typical Hong Kong mentality would ask: Why not build them higher to maximize profits? I, on the other hand, relish those rare built forms in a sea of generic tall buildings.

The complex below is the 1881 Heritage in Hong Kong. 

Daniel Lin, 1881 Heritage, Hong Kong (2009)
Photographed by Eddie Wong
 http://www.luxuo.com/hotel/1881-heritage-hongkong-hullett-house.html

This construction simultaneously represents Hong Kong’s colonial history, its current incredible consumerism culture as well as an unusually low-rise design. The site was constructed in 1884 as the Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound and was declared a monument since 1994 as it is one of the four oldest surviving government buildings in Hong Kong. The compound has since been redeveloped into a heritage hotel with a boutique hotel, luxury restaurants and retail facilities and it is now a major tourist attraction. The project was headed by architect Daniel Lin and opened in 2009.

While the building retains its Victorian flavors of the late 1800s, the shopping arcade feature only top tier shops such as Cartier, Piaget and Van Cleef and Arpels. To ensure a pleasant experience for its wealthy patrons, the complex includes plenty of open spaces with extravagant decorations and displays such as a giant Tiffany & Co. commissioned Christmas tree. The building is not only a monument for Hong Kong’s history, but also for its present and future.

Daniel Lin, 1881 Heritage (Courtyard), Hong Kong (2009)

Photographed by Bruce Foreman, CNNGO
http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/life/field-guide-hong-kong-christmas-decorations-944857