The Iron Pagoda is an eleventh-century structure located in Youguo, a Song Dynasty Buddhist temple complex. The complex originally included a large wooden pagoda, the predecessor to the Iron Pagoda. Built by Yu Hao, the wooden pagoda would perish in a fire in 1044. It was replaced by the Iron Pagoda five years later, commissioned by the ruling emperor, Renzong. Despite its name, the building is not made of iron. It instead gets its name from the multicolored bricks mimicking the appearance of iron. The pagoda is one of China's oldest brick pagodas. Standing at thirteen stories tall, the structure has lasted 900+ years. It continues to stand tall after numerous man-made and natural disasters.
Image 1 - 1049_AD_Iron_Pagoda,_Northern_Song_Dynasty,_Kaifeng_03, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/1049_AD_Iron_Pagoda%2C_Northern_Song_Dynasty%2C_Kaifeng_03.jpg
Image 3 - 1049 AD Iron Pagoda, Northern Song Dynasty, Kaifeng 04.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/1049_AD_Iron_Pagoda%2C_Northern_Song_Dynasty%2C_Kaifeng_04.jpg)
Image 4 - 1049_AD_Iron_Pagoda,_Northern_Song_Dynasty,_Kaifeng_09 (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/1049_AD_Iron_Pagoda%2C_Northern_Song_Dynasty%2C_Kaifeng_09.jpg)
Image 5 - 049 AD Iron Pagoda, Northern Song Dynasty, Kaifeng 02.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/1049_AD_Iron_Pagoda%2C_Northern_Song_Dynasty%2C_Kaifeng_02.jpg)
Patron: Sultana Turhan Hatice (1651-1656)
Image 1: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Istanbul_Misir_carsisi.JPG
The Hagia Sophia is a classic example of Byzantine architecture. The mosque stands at 182 feet (55.6 m) tall. Its most prominent feature is its large central dome, surrounded and supported by four towering columns, known as minarets. Forty arched windows line the base of this large dome, but more than 200 windows light the structure overall, some of them fitted with stained glass. Smaller half-domes and a variety of columns also line the building’s facade, the latter of which were primarily recycled from older Roman structures. At its base, the structure takes a rectangular shape. Brick, mortar, wood, and metal comprise the outer and supportive structures, while marble, pumice stone, and glass were used for interior decorative features. Carved relief panels and mosaics depicting religious scenes can be found all along the interior. Other Byzantine-style motifs, such as acanthus leaves and palm fronds, can also be found carved into columns and marble panels.
Architect: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus Patron: Emperor Justinian I
Image 1: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Hagia_Sophia_Mars_2013.jpg/2560px-Hagia_Sophia_Mars_2013.jpg
Image 2: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Hagia_Sofia_%2814193941907%29.jpg/2560px-Hagia_Sofia_%2814193941907%29.jpg
Image 3: https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.12084479
Image 4: https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.18119327
Image 5: https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.18127412
Image 6: https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.12289773
Image 7: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deesis_mosaic_Hagia_Sophia.jpg
532 - Construction begins 537 - Construction is completed 1453 - Constantinople falls to Ottoman forces and is converted from an Orthodox Christian church to a mosque 1919 - While under occupation during World War I by the British, French, Italian, and Greek forces, a Divine Liturgy is performed and the mosque is converted back into a church 1935 - Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkish President and founder of the Republic of Turkey, converts the building into a museum 2020 - Hagia Sophia is reclassified as a mosque
Taipei 101 is a skyscraper which serves both as a distribution center and a financial hub for various companies. Floors B1-6F are public areas with a shopping mall, gym, food court, etc. Floors 7-84F act as private office spaces for companies. There are observatories open to the public on floors 88-91, with an additional private observatory on the top floor, 101. The building's exterior is primarily glass, suited for energy control. LED lights and other electrical control measures are implemented throughout. It has a wind damper as support during inclement weather. Additionally, the building's base consists of eight steel pillars, further strengthening the structure. Taipei 101 was built with the climate in mind, both in withstanding weathering and promoting climate change initiatives. Drawing from traditional Chinese architecture, the structure resembles a strong bamboo stalk and a pagoda, a building for Buddhist practices. The number eight found in its base is said to be lucky in Chinese numerology. The building is modern in its design and function—sitting in the heart of the bustling city—but it does not erase the works of architects past, instead building on them. Taipei 101 is a major feat of contemporary architecture, implementing modern techniques to its advantage while remaining true to its Chinese background．
Image 1: Taipei Taiwan Taipei-City-Hall-01.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Taipei_Taiwan_Taipei-City-Hall-01.jpg)
Image 2: Taipei 101 under construction 20031024 night.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Taipei_101_under_construction_20031024_night.jpg)
Image 3: Lobby of Taipei 101 01. 20241202.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Lobby_of_Taipei_101_01._20241202.jpg)
Image 4 - Taipei 101 Food Court.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Taipei_101_Food_Court.jpg)
Image 5 - Taipei 101 Observatory 89F 2019.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Taipei_101_Observatory_89F_2019.jpg)
Image 6 - Taipei 101 Tuned Mass Damper 2010.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Taipei_101_Tuned_Mass_Damper_2010.jpg)
Image 7 - Taipei 101 view from below amk.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Taipei_101_view_from_below_amk.jpg)
November 2003 : Mall is completed and opened
December 2004: Tower completed, building opens.
The National Museum of Singapore is a neo-Palladian structure that over time has been renovated to have glass and steel elements. Its plan overall is relatively symmetrical, and the building features two main stories. A large center dome sits in the middle of the structure's roofing, very reminiscent of British government buildings. To enter the museum, there’s a grand portico with a sweeping staircase that guides into the central atrium before branching into other exhibition galleries. The opened interior spaces are primarily illuminated by the large arched windows or stained glass in the rotunda done. A very modern “glass passage” was built for the museum to connect the newly developed areas seamlessly to the historical structure without obvious style disruption. Architecturally, the building showcases a historical evolution throughout time, from colonial British rule to more independent Singaporean state and style.
Image 1:2016_Singapur,_Museum_Planning_Area,_Narodowe_Muzeum_Singapuru_(02)
Image 3: lossy-page1-1920px-KITLV_-_105738_-_Raffles_Museum_in_Singapore_-_circa_1900.tif (1)
1882- Henry Edward McCallum designed the building
1887-Opened as Raffles Library and Museum
2003-2006 Additions of glass and metal were added to the building
neo-Palladian (British colonial rule of Singapore)
The structure is very quadratic in its form. Viewed from overhead, its form is just a simple rectangle. Though it is worth noting that this form is made up of essentially two buildings. Continuing from overhead the left side building top appears ordinary compared to the right side which features a green, almost tile-like texture that bounds a glass square on the roof where light proceeds to enter the structure. It features 2 distinct levels that feature several interior rooms and an interior courtyard in the middle where the building truly shows its grandeur. This middle interior courtyard features a full look-around from the middle of the structure where it appears you can then space out into the individual rooms that contain the historic art pieces on display. The exterior features this glass atrium entrance lobby, added later during the building’s existence, this entrance helped combine the two sides of the museum. Its patterns and construction method seem to be rather ordinary, at least for the exterior. For the interior, there is a significant use of archway patterns for what appears to be entrances of hallways that lead to the rooms. The rooms seem to be very quadratic in form as well, with all featuring variations of rectangular and squarish forms. The rooms have varying colors and the courtyard features a brighter yellow. Standing as one of the cultural anchors for Mt. Vernon's place, the historic district the building is a part of, the structure started as a personal collection of Henry Walters and his son William T. Walters. Eventually, Henry made his collection viewable for the public in 1874. Ultimately, he requested a redesign from several architectural firms and renovations began in 1905 for the collection to be transformed into a museum and subsequently, the museum officially opened in 1909. A little over two decades later, after his death, the museum officially was given to the city.
Architect: Shepley, Bullfinch, Richardson and Abbott(firm)
Architect: Kallmann, McKinnell and Wood (firm)
image 1: File:Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 (35452161645).jpg - Wikimedia Commons
image 2: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walters_Art_Museum_ceiling_-_Stierch.jp
The Kennedy Center’s layout is rectangular. On the outside of the building, there are tall, thin steel pillars in a golden shade. These pillars run along each side of the Kennedy Center, adding drama and dimension to its facade. The building itself is built of a white concrete, with walls that tower over the visitors and a large overhang that is supported by the pillars. Along the two longer sides of the building are windows that stretch floor to ceiling. On top of the basic structure, there is a slightly smaller, and much shorter, upper level of the building. This second level has windows evenly dispersed along each side. There are two different main entrances, one on each side of the building with windows. As one walks into the Kennedy Center, they are met with bright red carpet, dramatic chandeliers, and mirrors covering the walls opposite the entrance. The high ceilings in the structure add to its elegance and charm. There are three main performance rooms in the building, the Concert Hall, the Opera House, and the Eisenhower Theatre. Each of these rooms are decorated elegantly, with large stages and plenty of seating. There are two hallways separating these rooms and connecting one side of the building to the other. It is in these hallways that giant flags hang from the ceiling, representing different states and nations. The Kennedy Center stands as a place to appreciate the arts, acknowledge American history, and to enjoy a night out in Washington, D.C.. The materials chosen allow for an elegant theme and charming exterior. The Kennedy Center both harbors notes of political authority and social status with its architecture, all while touching on the sight and sound of the viewer.
Image 1: Kennedy Center - panoramio (cropped).jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Kennedy_Center_-_panoramio_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Image 2: Kennedy_Center_(46399777861).jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Kennedy_Center_%2846399777861%29.jpg
Image 3: Kennedy_center_diagram.svg.png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts#/media/File:Kennedy_center_diagram.svg
Image 4: John_F._Kennedy_Center,_interior_000_0017.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/John_F._Kennedy_Center%2C_interior_000_0017.jpg
Image 5: Messiah_Sing-Along_at_Kennedy_Center_2023_01.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Messiah_Sing-Along_at_Kennedy_Center_2023_01.jpg
Image 6: Kennedy_Center_(53844537746).jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Kennedy_Center_%2853844537746%29.jpg
Start of Construction: December 11, 1965
Architect: Frank Gehry Builder: Ferrovial
Image 1: https://www.marquesderiscal.com/public/Image/2020/6/El-hotel.jpg
2003 - Construction begins 2006 - Construction is completed
The structure is considerably sound with a firm rectangular form, as it hails as one of the last structures to represent the German Colonial church structure. It includes two levels, two chimneys, and a belfry at the top. While it does feature a second level, it does appear that there is more space on the main lower level. It is also worth noting that it appears there were initial plans to have a basement level, however ultimately was not added. The structure presents a multitude of windows and doors. There are two front entrances on the North-East side of the structure that one may enter through. From there to the immediate left is the Structure’s auditorium. To the right of these entrances lies two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen toward the back right of the structure (facing from the front). There are similarly two exits through the back that leads directly to what appears to be a well. The second level also features a smaller auditorium, which is considered a part of the main one on the lower level, and another bedroom. The structure has an angled roof which does present in its interior design as well as the exterior design. Its patterns are quite simplistic in its exterior, with the majority of the building possessing a stone masonry wall into brick pattern. On its interior, its patterns are also simplistic, as they follow a simple white color into a more natural wood color on objects like window arches and doors. Its structural process and build deliver on the structure's signaling of religious context. It establishes an iconicity when we think of an old, colonial, well-established church in the United States.
Image1: Bethabara_Moravian_Church https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Bethabara_Moravian_Church.JPG
Image 2: Bethabara_Moravian_Church,_2147_Bethabara_Road_(State_Route_1681),_Old_Town,_Forsyth_County,_NC_HABS_NC,34-OLTO,1-_(sheet_1_of_6) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Bethabara_Moravian_Church%2C_2147_Bethabara_Road_%28State_Route_1681%29%2C_Old_Town%2C_Forsyth_County%2C_NC_HABS_NC%2C34-OLTO%2C1-_%28sheet_1_of_6%29.png
Image 3: Bethabara_Moravian_Church,_2147_Bethabara_Road_(State_Route_1681),_Old_Town,_Forsyth_County,_NC_HABS_NC,34-OLTO,1-_(sheet_2_of_6) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Bethabara_Moravian_Church%2C_2147_Bethabara_Road_%28State_Route_1681%29%2C_Old_Town%2C_Forsyth_County%2C_NC_HABS_NC%2C34-OLTO%2C1-_%28sheet_2_of_6%29.png
Image 1: Cour Napoléon at night - Louvre.jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Cour_Napoléon_at_night_-_Louvre.jpg)