A lot of architecture in this modern era reflects that of the past. Ancient Rome specifically had a large influence on the structure of buildings that still stand today. Asheville in particular is a very architecturally interesting city because it hasn 't been completely modernized with tall, straight buildings and has many older buildings still standing even in the center of town. There are many buildings and churches in this little town that reflect past building techniques and styles. One building specifically, the First Baptist Church, located at 5 Oak street in downtown Asheville, has many stylistic and structural aspects that reflect that of ancient Greek and Rome architecture. It has pillars, a dome, and artistic styling of colored bricks
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An article written by Mark Cartwright titled Roman Architecture discusses the general overview of ancient Roman architecture and the different aspects of construction that were upheld and adopted after the Greeks died off. Cartwright discusses the different marble and stones that were used to construct buildings and the way that big exaggerated buildings were a sort of propaganda to represent a strong empire. He also explains that pillars were not always necessary to the function of a building but were usually always added to give buildings a “traditional and familiar look”. So it is interesting that this building constructed here in Asheville (and other buildings throughout the United States) have these aspects of a traditional Roman building. Cartwright goes on to explain that, “Coloured varieties were also much favoured by Roman architects” and that they would use different colored bricks to create patterns. This is another similarity to the First Baptist Church building for it has a sort of fading color effect on the roof where it goes from turquoise colored bricks to a red. In a general sense older architectural design was an art. There was so much time, effort, and creativity put into the construction of a single building as opposed to this modern day when we build straight upright buildings in such short periods of time that look just …show more content…
Soon the streets will be lined with building after building that look the same and the originality and uniqueness will be lost just as every city that has undergone development and growth. But at least there is hope that certain buildings such as the First Baptist Church, the courthouse, St. Lawrence Basilica, and other historic buildings will be preserved. When I walked into the First Baptist Church with our class on Wednesday November 4th 2015 I was honestly a little breath taken. I grew up going to church every sunday and never had i experienced the glory of attending a service in a room that so easily captured sound and light in such a beautiful way. Older buildings really are works of art, and so much of our world today is influenced by history, we wouldn 't be here today living this privileged lifestyle if it weren 't for the people who came before
An article written by Mark Cartwright titled Roman Architecture discusses the general overview of ancient Roman architecture and the different aspects of construction that were upheld and adopted after the Greeks died off. Cartwright discusses the different marble and stones that were used to construct buildings and the way that big exaggerated buildings were a sort of propaganda to represent a strong empire. He also explains that pillars were not always necessary to the function of a building but were usually always added to give buildings a “traditional and familiar look”. So it is interesting that this building constructed here in Asheville (and other buildings throughout the United States) have these aspects of a traditional Roman building. Cartwright goes on to explain that, “Coloured varieties were also much favoured by Roman architects” and that they would use different colored bricks to create patterns. This is another similarity to the First Baptist Church building for it has a sort of fading color effect on the roof where it goes from turquoise colored bricks to a red. In a general sense older architectural design was an art. There was so much time, effort, and creativity put into the construction of a single building as opposed to this modern day when we build straight upright buildings in such short periods of time that look just …show more content…
Soon the streets will be lined with building after building that look the same and the originality and uniqueness will be lost just as every city that has undergone development and growth. But at least there is hope that certain buildings such as the First Baptist Church, the courthouse, St. Lawrence Basilica, and other historic buildings will be preserved. When I walked into the First Baptist Church with our class on Wednesday November 4th 2015 I was honestly a little breath taken. I grew up going to church every sunday and never had i experienced the glory of attending a service in a room that so easily captured sound and light in such a beautiful way. Older buildings really are works of art, and so much of our world today is influenced by history, we wouldn 't be here today living this privileged lifestyle if it weren 't for the people who came before