Unit III architecture

I. Pre-reading task

1. What do you think the word “architecture” means?

2. What are the main functions of architecture?

3. What can you say about the role of an architect in civilized society?

4. What famous architects do you know?

5. Do you think that the architect must possess the knowledge of different sciences?

Vocabulary

Absorb	Поглощать, впитывать
Abundant	Имеющийся в изобилии, обильный
Adaptability	Приспособляемость
Adjust	Приспособлять, пригонять
Aesthetics	эстетика
Aisle	Боковой неф
Arrangement	распределение
Axis	Ось
Chapel	Часовня
Commodity	Предмет потребления, товар
Conductivity	проводимость
Confine	Ограничивать
Consumption	потребление
Crypt	склеп
Device	средство
Distinguish	Различать
Distructive	Отличительный, характерный
Earhtquake	землетрясенние
Employ	применять
Encompass	Заключать в себе, касаться
Enhance	Усиливать, повышать
Evolve	развивать
Extreme	Окончание, конец (зд.)
Flood	наоднение
Forsee	предвидеть
Fulfil	выполнять
Heritage	Наследие
Hindrancе	Помеха
Impact	Влияние, воздействие
Incentive	Побуждение, стимул
Inherent	Присущий, неотъемлемый
Insular	изолированный
Meeting house	молитвенный дом
Mimetic	подражательный
Minor	Меньший
Modify	Видоизменять
Moisture	Влажность
Mold	Плесень
Patron	Покровитель
Penetrate	Проникать
Permanence	Прочность
Repel	Отражать
Resistance	Сопротивление
Sacristy	Ризница
Scarce	Скудный
Significance	Многозначительность, значение
Site	Местоположение, строительная площадка
Stucco	штукатурка
Suitability	Соответствие
Sustainable	Поддерживающий
Triple	Тройной, втрое
Vernacular	Национальный, местный
Withstand	Противостоять

Text I the art of architecture

Architecture is the art and the technique of building, employed to fulfil the practical and expressive requirements of civilized people. Almost every settled society that possesses the techniques for building produces archi­tecture. It is necessary in all but the simplest cultures; without it, man is confined to a primitive struggle with the elements; with it, he has not only a defence against the natural environment but also the benefits of a human environment, a prerequisite for and a symbol of the development of civi­lized institutions.

The characteristics that distinguish a work of architecture from other man-made structures are (1) the suitability of the work to use by human beings in general and the adaptability of it to particular human activities; (2) the stability and permanence of the work's construction; and (3) the communication of experience and ideas through its form.

All these conditions must be met in architecture. The second is a con­stant, while the first and the third vary in relative importance according to the social function of buildings. If the function is chiefly utilitarian, as in a factory, communication is of less importance. If the function is chiefly ex­pressive, as in a monumental tomb, utility is a minor concern. In some buildings such as churches and city halls, utility and communication may be of equal importance.