BYZANTINE

The three major Byzantine cities were: Constantinople, Venice and Ravenna. The Byzantine empire officially adopted Christianity around 280-337 C.E. One of the most important icons of this civilization is the famous mosaic "Empress Theodora and Her Attendants, in San Vitale. This mosaic shows Christ receiving a model of the church.

Furniture in this era was inspired by the Roman forms, except is more complex and it has adapted to this culture over time. The "X frame stool" is still very present and hasn't really changed a whole lot. Beds continued as well.

One of the most iconic pieces of furniture from this civilization was the chest; which included strong hinges and a lock to prevent from thieves.

Another very important piece of furniture was the "Throne of Maximian" which incorporated pieces of ivory carvings.

Because of the climate in that region, a few examples survived now a day but it is likely that there were many different wooden pieces from this era.

Other important pieces of furniture from the Byzantine period are medieval stools. One of the most iconic is the three-legged stool, it contains an integral handle which indicated that this stool was picked up and carried around. The handle was carved into the wood which relies on the strength of the material it was made.

The Vikings

The Vikings were migratory people and hunters of the seas. In 830's the Vikings started raids that involved their wintering in the lands they attacked, they were skilled in many aspects and tasks such as carpentry, wood carving, precise cutting, joints and complicated geometry. The expertise of working with wood was the reason they were famous for the boats they built.

CURRENT

Byzantine Fresco Chapel

Byzantine design Inspired

Modern Abstract Rug, Byzantine inspired by Landry & Arcary


Hagia Sophia Church, Sophia Bulgaria

FROM JESSICA'S BLOG: I LIKED THE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES SHE INCLUDED AND THE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCHES. ONE OF THE MAIN POINTS SHE FOCUSED ON WAS THE TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN WHICH WAS THE PENDENTIVE CONSTRUCTION.
FROM JUSTINE'S BLOG: WHAT I LEARNED AFTER SEEING HER BLOG WAS THAT THIS CIVILIZATION WAS ONE OF THE LONGEST CIVILIZATIONS WE STUDIED, ALSO SHE MENTIONED HOW THE BYZANTINE CIVILIZATION WAS INFLUENCED BY GREEKS AND THE ORIENT.

EARLY CHRISTIAN

Constantine was one of the four co-rulers who followed the Roman emperor. After the new religion "Christianity" needed to develop its own building and design culture, centrally planned buildings were constructed. These included separate baptisteries, and this period was where the separation of interior churches into "Nave" and "Franklin Aisles" happened. 

Early Christian adapted many of its monuments form the Roman Empire. One of the most important buildings from this period is the Basilica at Trier in Germany. Although this buildings frame work is more simple than the Pantheon (Rome) it shares many elements with the Roman building. 

Everything changes for Christianity after the death of the Emperor Milan, Christianity was finally considered a religion and Christians were given places so they could pray. 

Early Christian was based on Western Europe, also referred as "West" when comparing Byzantine which is also known as "East". Many churches were built in Italy, Spain and Rome to accommodate the religious. 

such as furniture, household items and fashion.

 

Storage items were quite used in church in this period

Early Christian furniture adapted some of its designs from the Roman Civilization

CURRENT

St. Stephen's Church in Birmingham, Toledo

Christ Episcopal Church in Temple, Texas

FROM DESIRE'S BLOG: I LIKED HOW SHE INCLUDED A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION INTO HER BLOG. I LIKED THE DOVE MOTIF SHE INCLUDED AND THE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES OF CURRENT APPLICATIONS.

FROM HANNA'S BLOG: I LIKED HOW SHE INCLUDED THE VIDEO OF THE CATACOMBS, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS VERY INTERESTING. 

CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION: ROME

The Roman Empire was the greatest power in china, some of their architectural ideas and design were inspired by Greece. Romans mastered road building which made a huge impact in transportation. Some of the most remarkable symbols of architecture form the Roman Empire are:

 The Arch, although other civilizations used the arch in their architecture, its purpose was never really understood. When the arch is projected three dimensionally it can become a barrel vault. Another way of using this piece of architecture is when the arch is rotated around a single point it can become a dome.

Another important contribution form the Roman Empire was the public infrastructure. The Roman Empire adopted the grid for city planing. Except for the capital city, since Rome its irregular and its infrastructure is not based on grids.

The Pantheon is Rome's greatest geographic expanse. Not only because of the religious concept behind it but because of the architectural elements used to built it.

The Colosseum is one of the most iconic places in Rome. It seats more than 50,000 people. It was made from concrete and stone and it was used for cultural events and gladiator fights in 80 AD.

Some of the current applications form the Roman Empire are the way residential dwellings were set up in those times are practically what has been used today. Residential apartments can be located on top and commercial departments are located on the main floor.

Ancient Residential Dwellings

Current Residential Dwellings

FROM EMILY'S N. BLOG: I LIKED HOW SHE COMPARED ANCIENT APPLICATIONS SUCH AS DESIGN AND FURNITURE TO CURRENT APPLICATIONS. I REALLY LIKE THE LAST PICTURE SHE HAD WHICH PROJECTS A CURRENT DESIGN THAT IS BASED IN ANCIENT DESIGNS.

FROM EMILY'S BLOG: I LIKED HOW SHE FOCUSED MORE IN ARCHITECTURE. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THE RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS, AND HOW SHE COMPARED BUILDINGS FROM ANCIENT ROME WITH TODAY'S ARCHITECTURE.