-
How do civil engineers build wind-resisting skyscrapers?
With the numerous skyscrapers reshaping city skylines today, one can not help but wonder just how they manage to resist the horizontal force of the wind while withstanding the vertical force of gravity. Just what makes these structures so durable? What forces of physics are at play here? Read on to discover innovative ways and methods civil engineers and architects managed to make these towering structures withstand extreme weather and geological events such as high winds or earthquakes. The history of skyscrapers Due to the large number of people who moved from smaller towns to urban areas across the world, big cities sometimes struggled to accommodate this drastic increase in…
-
The History of Gothic Architecture
One of the most prominent architectural styles to date features pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses. These are all iconic elements of gothic architecture, an architectural style that lasted from the mid-12th century to the 16th century. Considered one of the most important architectural styles in Western history, it is renowned for its use in the construction of magnificent cathedrals and churches throughout Europe, having had a lasting influence on subsequent architectural movements. Origins Despite the dark and gloomy connotations that are associated with the word “gothic,” the actual original Gothic style was developed to bring more sunlight into spaces, and especially into churches. This form of unique architectural…
-
7 Principles For Building Better Cities
Peter Calthorpe – Who Is He? With a strong focus and passion dedicated to developing new approaches to urban revitalisation, suburban growth and regional planning, Calthorpe’s honoured career in urban design, planning and architecture shouldn’t be overlooked. Through written work and projects, Calthorpe has spread the vision of New Urbanism, a framework for creating sustainable, human-scaled places. Peter Calthorpe’s decades worth of design practice has always been led by the concept that popular and successful places, including neighbourhoods, towns, urban districts or metropolitan regions, must be diverse in terms of people, be scaled to walkers and human interactions and must be environmentally sustainable. All of these ideas were broken down…
