ARCH 1.4-1.6 REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS #9
What is the traditional role of visual art in the design of Christian churches? - correct
answer The purpose is to be a visual bible and tell many stories/beliefs of the religion.
Allows common people, who were illiterate, to understand the faith and be attracted to
the church as a way of salvation
What drove the development of the 'Gothic' style of building, and what were its
architectural effects? - correct answer The Gothic Style was a mistake made by Abbot
Suger who understood God in the form of light. They made arches with points at the top
which allowed columns, openness, light, stained glass, and vertical emphasis to create
a feeling of heaven on earth.
How did Protestant Christianity approach church design? - correct answer Protestant
Chritainity wanted their churches to be distinguishable from the traditional Roman style,
be able to hold large crowds, isle of processions, raised pulpit. This lead them to first
use Basilicas (Roman Courthouses). Humble exterior & elaborate interior to act as a
metaphor for the soul.
What factors generally influence any denomination's attitude towards architecture? -
correct answer anionic, direction of holy sight, way in which worship/prayer is thought to
be performed, acts as a way to being members together
What architectural features are typical of megachurches? - correct answer Large
spaces for congregations, light coming from the ceilings, great sound systems, visual
projection screens, possibly schools and shops.
What makes the Crystal Cathedral an unusual megachurch in design? - correct answer
The Crystal Cathedral is unusual due to it not being safe cocoon, but rather open to the
outside being made of all glass.
What does an early Islamic structure like the Dome of the Rock borrow from Christian
architecture? - correct answer From Christianity: dome (similar to Hagia Sohpia) and
ascension to heaven, decorative color (similar to stained glass windows)
What aspect(s) reflect Judaic tradition? - correct answer From Judaic: no imagery of
God (antionic), traditionally believed to have ascended into heaven from the site. In
Jewish tradition, it is here that Abraham, the progenitor and first patriarch of the Hebrew
people, is said to have prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Name at least four design elements that are necessary for a mosque. Why do you need
a map and a compass to build one? - correct answer 1 Qibla- wall facing toward Mecca
2 Mihrab- niche for Qur'an in Qibla
3 Minaret- tower for sung call to prayer
4 fountain- to wash and cleanse before prayer
, Why do you need a map and a compass to build a mosque? - correct answer to build
one as the alignment and Qibla must face toward the holy city of Mecca.
Why do some mosques also have prominent mausoleums? - correct answer Some
mosques have prominent mausoleums for patrons, people who financially contributed to
creating the church, an important ruler, or someone who conquered the land
Where is the mausoleum usually located? - correct answer The mausoleum is usually
located between the open prayer hall and Mecca as the person buried in some way
helped to foster and make relationship with God possible for the people.
What elements of sacred, especially Islamic architecture are present at the Taj Mahal? -
correct answer -holds a mausoleum of a Queen
-Minhet (towers)-
Iwans (exterior niches)
-calligraphy rather than photos-higher than ground level
Why is modern ownership of Jerusalem both a political and a religious issue? - correct
answer The ownership is political as there have been bans of religions throughout
history as they don't want to share.
Give two examples of how Christians disagree about sacred sites in Jerusalem. -
correct answer 1 Some believe that there is too much distraction that should be
eliminated. For example, the Quakers have simple meeting houses that resemble living
rooms. They are stark and undecorated where no spot is more important than another.
They share their beliefs rather than listening to a sermon
2 Other believe real christian architecture is no architecture at all. For example, the
drive in movie theater that doubled as a church.
Name three design features that unite synagogues, early Christian churches, and
mosques. - correct answer -place for community to gather
-provides visual & auditory focuses
-points toward a sacred place
How was the ancient Greek house at Olynthos organized? - correct answer There were
certain sections of the home designed for men to entertain called Andron and another
called Gynaeceum meant for the domic work that women performed.
How did the house at Olynthos reflect social structure? - correct answer This reflected
social structure because it was zoned by gender and the roles/ task theyperformed as
contribution.
What was a tablinum in an ancient Roman domus, and where were they located? -
correct answer They were the record room across on the same axis of the atrium.
What is the traditional role of visual art in the design of Christian churches? - correct
answer The purpose is to be a visual bible and tell many stories/beliefs of the religion.
Allows common people, who were illiterate, to understand the faith and be attracted to
the church as a way of salvation
What drove the development of the 'Gothic' style of building, and what were its
architectural effects? - correct answer The Gothic Style was a mistake made by Abbot
Suger who understood God in the form of light. They made arches with points at the top
which allowed columns, openness, light, stained glass, and vertical emphasis to create
a feeling of heaven on earth.
How did Protestant Christianity approach church design? - correct answer Protestant
Chritainity wanted their churches to be distinguishable from the traditional Roman style,
be able to hold large crowds, isle of processions, raised pulpit. This lead them to first
use Basilicas (Roman Courthouses). Humble exterior & elaborate interior to act as a
metaphor for the soul.
What factors generally influence any denomination's attitude towards architecture? -
correct answer anionic, direction of holy sight, way in which worship/prayer is thought to
be performed, acts as a way to being members together
What architectural features are typical of megachurches? - correct answer Large
spaces for congregations, light coming from the ceilings, great sound systems, visual
projection screens, possibly schools and shops.
What makes the Crystal Cathedral an unusual megachurch in design? - correct answer
The Crystal Cathedral is unusual due to it not being safe cocoon, but rather open to the
outside being made of all glass.
What does an early Islamic structure like the Dome of the Rock borrow from Christian
architecture? - correct answer From Christianity: dome (similar to Hagia Sohpia) and
ascension to heaven, decorative color (similar to stained glass windows)
What aspect(s) reflect Judaic tradition? - correct answer From Judaic: no imagery of
God (antionic), traditionally believed to have ascended into heaven from the site. In
Jewish tradition, it is here that Abraham, the progenitor and first patriarch of the Hebrew
people, is said to have prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Name at least four design elements that are necessary for a mosque. Why do you need
a map and a compass to build one? - correct answer 1 Qibla- wall facing toward Mecca
2 Mihrab- niche for Qur'an in Qibla
3 Minaret- tower for sung call to prayer
4 fountain- to wash and cleanse before prayer
, Why do you need a map and a compass to build a mosque? - correct answer to build
one as the alignment and Qibla must face toward the holy city of Mecca.
Why do some mosques also have prominent mausoleums? - correct answer Some
mosques have prominent mausoleums for patrons, people who financially contributed to
creating the church, an important ruler, or someone who conquered the land
Where is the mausoleum usually located? - correct answer The mausoleum is usually
located between the open prayer hall and Mecca as the person buried in some way
helped to foster and make relationship with God possible for the people.
What elements of sacred, especially Islamic architecture are present at the Taj Mahal? -
correct answer -holds a mausoleum of a Queen
-Minhet (towers)-
Iwans (exterior niches)
-calligraphy rather than photos-higher than ground level
Why is modern ownership of Jerusalem both a political and a religious issue? - correct
answer The ownership is political as there have been bans of religions throughout
history as they don't want to share.
Give two examples of how Christians disagree about sacred sites in Jerusalem. -
correct answer 1 Some believe that there is too much distraction that should be
eliminated. For example, the Quakers have simple meeting houses that resemble living
rooms. They are stark and undecorated where no spot is more important than another.
They share their beliefs rather than listening to a sermon
2 Other believe real christian architecture is no architecture at all. For example, the
drive in movie theater that doubled as a church.
Name three design features that unite synagogues, early Christian churches, and
mosques. - correct answer -place for community to gather
-provides visual & auditory focuses
-points toward a sacred place
How was the ancient Greek house at Olynthos organized? - correct answer There were
certain sections of the home designed for men to entertain called Andron and another
called Gynaeceum meant for the domic work that women performed.
How did the house at Olynthos reflect social structure? - correct answer This reflected
social structure because it was zoned by gender and the roles/ task theyperformed as
contribution.
What was a tablinum in an ancient Roman domus, and where were they located? -
correct answer They were the record room across on the same axis of the atrium.
