Some have described this facade as "a showy and impressive piece of Tuscan architecture,' with arched doors surrounded by elaborate floral carvings, twisting columns, and shell-topped niches for statuary" (Tarin). However, I find the facade quite common and uninteresting. I would much prefer to see a more ornate and intricate style, such as the style I employed in my final plans of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, which was completed after my death. Rather than rely on the "traditional" as the style of this early Texas mission relies, I used other, new techniques that would live on after I was gone. One expert writes of my work on the Piazza, "[H]e articulated his new ground floor loggia with a lintel instead of the usual arches, supported by Ionic columns. The bays are divided by an order of colossal Corinthian pilasters that rise through both stories to support a magnificent entablature surmounted by a balustrade and statuary" (Hibbard 295-296). I feel it was well executed, modern, and unique - terms I cannot use often in gazing at the Alamo. However, while my misgivings about the building are many, I can clearly see that in context, the style and design were befitting of the time here. San Antonio was little more than a bend in the river when this building was conceived and built. The facade is quite symmetrical and pleasing to the eye, and delights me with its simplicity when I think of the terms that dictated the building's design. The architect of the time did as much as he could for the space and for the needs of the mission's users. While it is not in the style I would have developed, it certainly is a fitting building for an early settlement. I must remember my buildings were created with many more people in mind, and they were surrounded by other buildings and used my many more Italians. The Alamo served its purpose, and that is one of the main functions of a building. However, function is only one part of architecture. Beauty and form are also parts that make up the whole, and here, function is primary, form is second, and clearly, beauty was last on the architect's agenda. The long, clean lines of the buildings, square and efficient, do...
Again, the symmetry is the most enjoyable aspect of the building for me - it projects the clean lines and elemental purpose of the entire structure.
Manhattan Project was one of the most documented events in American and World History. The discussion will provide an explanation of the Manhattan Project and how the project changed society forever. The purpose of this essay is to provide a historiographic discussion on the topic of the Manhattan project. The Manhattan Project Summary According to a book entitled The Manhattan Project and published by the Department of Energy, Albert Einstein was actually
Power Politics and Glory Example 1: The Great Wall Of China It is a common phenomenon for an object to be associated with the ruler or the country in question. The Great Wall of China, where not only served as a defense system, but also consolidated the image of China as a mighty power for many years. The Wall -- acted more as a psychological defense mechanism -- giving the image
German Influences on Texas Culture If one has lived in Texas for any length of time, they will realize immediately that the Texas culture is influenced by German culture in a number of ways. Modern day Texas culture would not exist as it does today if it were not for German influence. Today Texas culture can be described as a blending of German and Texas traditions. Though German culture is not
Estruscans refers to a sophisticated and seafaring persons from Asia Minor who appeared in Italy about 800 BC settling in Etruia, North of Latium. This group soon gained control of the Latins thus the introduction of the Greek cultur to the more primitive Romans. The influence was vital in the domination of the Roman interaction and way of life for two critical centuries. The group was also great at
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For his activities, he was banned from using the Oxford University computers. Here he also built his first computer from scratch, using a soldering iron, TTL gates, and M6800 processor and a television. Later, Berners-Lee worked with CERN, a nuclear research organization in Europe. Here he created a hypertext prototype system to facilitate sharing and updating information. Later, Berners-Lee combined hypertext with the Internet, and the World Wide Web was
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