Building Analysis Assignment – Part 1: Analysis of Two Building
Write a 5 page thoughtful, well–crafted, detailed comparison of the 2 buildinngs (Mortuary Complex of King Zoser,
Tomb 1st Qin Emperor, Xian). During the first lecture of this course, we discussed some of the basic ways architecture can be analyzed. These include, as Vitruvius would say, “firmness–commodity–delight,” or in more laymen’s terms: structure, function, and form. We can also talk about a building’s cultural, physical, and historical contexts. This section of your paper must include a comparison of all six categories mentioned above and structured to include an introduction, a conclusion, and subheadings for each of the six categories. Note that this section needs to exhibit your deep understanding of both buildings’ designs and how they fit into the cultures in which they were built. What lessons can be learned from studying the building that might help with designing buildings for today and tomorrow?
Include in your paper at least one illustration of each building. And provide caption and citation. You may only use academic sources. Most of your information should derive from books and academic journals. Encyclopedias, including Wikipedia, personal travel blogs, and other non–vetted, non–academic website are NOT acceptable sources. If there are no monographs specifically on your buildings, look at more general books on the architecture of the cultures that built them (i.e., “Islamic Architecture”). Your paper needs to be typed, double spaced, typo–proofed, and includes full, formal footnotes and a bibliography of the sources that you used following the Chicago Manual of Style . You must footnote all quotes, major ideas, and details that you use from a source. This includes any material from the Web. Also, do not forget to provide a citation for your images.