TPO11 Lecture 2 Architecture
Narrator
Listen to part of a lecture in an Architecture Class.
Professor
Today, we are taking a little detour from the grand styles of public architecture
we’ve been studying to look at residential architectures in the United States.
Since this is something we can all identify with, I think it will help us see the
relationship between the function of a structure and its style or form. This has
been an ongoing theme in our discussion, and we will be getting back to it just
a moment. But before we get started, I want you to take a moment to think:
does anyone know what the single most popular style for a house in the United
States is today? Bob?
Student 1
“I bet it is the ranch-style house.”
Professor
“Well, in this area, probably. But aren’t we typical? Yes, Sue.”
Student 2
“How about the kind of house my grandparents live in? They call it a Cape
Cod.
Professor
That’s the one. Here is a drawing of what we consider of a classic Cape Cod
house. These days, you see this style all over the United States. But it first
showed up in U.S. northeast, in the New England region, around the late
1600s. For those of you who don't know the northeast costal region, Cape Cod
is a peninsula, a narrow strip of land that jets out into the Atlantic, and so many
houses in this particular style were built on Cape Cod, that the name of the
place became the name of the style. Now why did the Cape Cod style house
become so popular in the northeast? Well, one reason is that it's a great
example of form following function. We’ve talked about this design principle a
lot about form following function. And what did we say it’s meant? Someone
give me an application of this principle. What did this concept that form should
follow function? How would it be applied to housing design?
Student 2
Well, if it means the design of the building, it should be based on the needs of
people who use it. Then, well, the architect has to be very practical to think
about the people who actually be living in the house or working in the office
building, whatever, so for the architect, it’s all about users not about showing
off how creative you can be.
Professor
Good, of course, for a Cape Cod house, it might be even more accurate to say
that form also follows climate. Who knows what the climate like on Cape Cod?
Student 1
Cold in the winter…
Student 2
And whenever I visit my grandparents, it’s really wet. It’s usually either raining
or snowing or foggy and windy, too. I guess because it’s so exposed to the
ocean?
Professor
That’s right. So take another look at this drawing, and you can image how this
design might be particularly helpful in that kind of climate. Notice how the
house is fairly low to the ground. This relatively low compact structure helps
the house withstand the strong winds blowing off the ocean. And look at the
slope of the roof, the steep angle helps keep off all that rain and snow that
accumulates in the winter. Another thing, Cape Cod houses usually face south
to take advantage of the sun’s warm through the windows. That’s helpful in
winter. Now what can you tell me about the chimney, about its location.
Student 2
Well, it’s in the middle. Because, does that have something to do with heating
the houses? I mean since the heat never has to travel very far.
Student 1
That means you can heat the house more efficiently, right?
Professor
Exactly, now see how the house has very little exterior decoration, that’s also
typical of early Cape Cod houses. The wind was one reason, nothing sticking
out might blow away in the harsh weather, but there was probably another
reason, not related to the climate, more reflection of a rural New England
society back then, you see Cape Cod houses were not built in the big cities,
where all the rich people lived back then. These were the modest dwellings the
people who built them simply couldn’t afford lots of expensive decorated
details. But that was more than just matter of money. In these rural areas,
people depended on each other for survival. Neighbors had to help and
supported each other in the difficult environment, so you didn't want to appear
to be showing off. You wanted to avoid anything that might set you apart from
your neighbors, the same people you might need to help you someday. So all
these help to create an attitude of conformity in the community, and you can
see why a modest, a very plain style would become so widely imitated through
out rural New England.
Student 2
It is plain, but you know its nice looking.
Professor
Good point, and in fact it’s precisely that as aesthetic appeal, the…the purity,
the nearly perfect proportion of the houses…that’s another reason for the cape
cod enduring popularity even in the places where the climate was so mild, it’s
functional design doesn't matter.
TPO 11 Conversation2
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a student and a Professor.
Student
Hi professor, I guess you want to see me.
Professor
Hi Bill thanks for coming. I want to talk to you about …..
Student
Is there something wrong with my research paper?
Professor
No, not at all, in fact it's very good. That’s why I want to talk to you.
Student
Oh, thanks
Professor
I think you know that the department is looking to hire a new professor, are you
familiar with our hiring process.
Student
No, but what is that got to do with me.
Professor
Well, Bill, we have several qualified applicants for serious about and this part
of this interview process we have to meet with the committee of the professors
and students in our department. They also have to give a talk.
Student
You mean like a lecture?
Professor
Yes, like a sample lecture on one of their academic interests
Student
Oh, see you can see their teaching style
Professor
Exactly
Student
Hah…Make sense
Professor
So I’d like to know if you be willing to join us as the student’s representatives
on the interview committee. It’ll be a good experience for you. You could put it
on your resume.
Student
Oh… better looks good for my graduate application, I guess, so, what do I
have to do
Professor
The department's secretary will give you a schedule of the applicant’s thesis if
you are free, we’d like you to attend our talks and then later you can give us
your opinion. Oh and we usually serve lunch and snacks depending on what
time the talk is.
Student
Cool, that’s another good reason to do this. Um… when is the next talk?
Professor
We actually haven't any yet, the first one is next Friday. It’s 10 AM, then lunch,
then the formal discussion with the applicant right after.
Student
Oh well, I’m free on Fridays if all the talks are on Fridays, I will be able to make
all of them.
Professor
That’s great, now you should know this job candidate is interested in the life
cycle in the forest.
Student
That’s what my research about.
Professor
Yes, I know that’s why I feel necessary to point out that even though these
applicants’ research interests were similar to yours; we want you to tell us what
you think about the teaching of all these applicants. Your perspective is as a
student, how the applicant teaches in the classroom that was important to us.
Student
I understand so how many applicants are there?
Professor
Let’s see, we have 4, all very good candidates, that we will be looking at over
the next few weeks. It's going to be a tough decision. But it'll be a good
experience for you, especially if you’re going to graduate school.
Student
Thank you. It’ll be cool to do this. I’ll get the copy of the schedule from the
secretary on my way out.
Professor
You’re welcome, seeing you in class this afternoon
