Paper Example on Vitruvius Model

Introduction

Present architecture is without doubt reflective of durability, utility and beauty in the structure. Such a model derives from the simplicity and endurance founded on Vitruvius three principles to educate architects. Firmatis emphasizes durability attained by having the robust structure capable of maintaining good condition. The utilitas principle argues that good architecture should guarantee smooth functioning and usefulness for individuals using it. Equally, venustatis requires the architecture to delight people with its beauty. Vitruvius education of architect emphasizes comprehensive knowledge complemented by practice and theory (Brophy and Lewis 43). The model emphasizes that the architecture signifies its source being an architect educated to be skilful in the drawing, well versed in geometry and possessing ecumenical understanding on the architect's need.

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Vitruvius model emphasizes that an architect should possess natural gift guided by instruction. Equally, it argues that perfect artists remain well versed with instructions complemented by natural ability. Such emerges from education that enables the architect to leave more lasting remembrance in their treatises. Again, drawing knowledge is necessary to sketch the appearance of work they propose. The fulfilment of the requirement qualifies geometry to make plans for the structures through the proper application of square, plummet and level. Knowledge of geometrical theories and approaches is critical to ensure symmetry in the structure (Morgan, Pollio and Warren 134). Again, learning to use the optics would allow the architect incorporate light in the structures from fixed quarters. A perfect artist should demonstrate knowledge of numbers, given that arithmetic is critical to calculate the total cost incurred and compute measurements.

The adoption of ecumenical approach requires wide knowledge on various matters to enable the architect to explain the association of the underlying idea behind the work designs. The knowledge should not only defend the work but explain the idea behind the design, making it exploratory to inquirers. Besides, the architect should know the story behind their work. Philosophical knowledge makes the architect high-minded to demonstrate courteous, just and honest in their work. The philosophical position argues that architecture work should align with honesty and incorruptibility, hence allowing him to sustain dignity cherished with the excellent reputationCITATION Vit \p 4 \l 1033 (Vitruvius 4). It mandates vigilance for the architect to desist from the pleasure of perpetrating corruption given its devastating outcome to one's reputation. However, it remains difficult to attain such unless one learns from the fundamental principles handed down by philosophers. Understanding music through canonical and mathematical knowledge allows the architect to ensure correct note and thrusting at the same moment. Unison is critical to ensure a straight projective course.

Knowledge in medicine is critical for the architect to ensure usefulness and smooth functioning experienced by users of the structure. The know-how in medicine is critical to ensure healthiness, eliminating pollution and unhealthiness of sites. Without adequate consideration for site healthiness, it may prove difficult to assure utility of the dwelling place. It extends to understanding the party walling, drainage system, water supply and aeration (Vitruvius 10). The architect should evaluate such circumstances to avoid leaving disputed points that householders should settle after the project completion. Besides, consideration for medicine is important to incorporate interests of employers and contractors. It implies that when one lacking knowledge of medical matters fail to understand and satisfy utility in work.

Vitruvius model acknowledges architecture being vast that one would exhaust through progressive learning. It makes the case, therefore, to avoid haste proclamation of one's architectural prowess without nursing arts and scientific knowledge. The perfection in each area would raise the heights of architecture holy ground to unrealizable levels. Instead, it requires the individual to understand the general theories applicable to work (Wang 49). It appears that one should do enough to possess fairly good knowledge of constituent elements indispensable for architecture. Nevertheless, given the limited natural capacity to avail such talents, it requires the architect to undertake sufficient training on account widening their knowledge.

Architecture derives influence from principles that deliver order, arrangement, economy, symmetry, propriety and eurythmy. The ordering principle yields the measure of work considered as separate, though in symmetrical agreement to other portion of the entire work. It forms the adjustment to quantify before constructing the work. Attaining symmetrical arrangement allows the placement of things appropriately to retain the character of defined work. Such forms the ground plan and elevation accomplished from the continuous usage of compasses and rule to accommodate perspective, reflection, and invention in the arrangement (Vitruvius 14). Eurythmy manifests in beauty and fitness derived from adjuring members to attain suitable breadth corresponding to their length. Architects should strive for symmetry attained when all members exist in agreement of the whole scheme. Similar devotion is necessary to attain propriety from perfected style using approved principles. It would arise when one matches magnificent interiors with elegant entrance-courts.

Work reflective of the economy should reveal proper management and allocation of materials to strike sense between outcome and cost incurred. Such requires the architect not to demand things difficult to attain. Again, economic consciousness demands planning a structure that befits the requirements to ensure utility in the structure. It becomes important to align such to the architecture departments including building art, making time-pieces and constructing machinery. However, such should not compromise the durability, beauty and desired convenience. Durability emerges when one uses solid ground and materials liberally selected. Convenience emerges from faultless arrangements, thereby presents no hindrance to their users (Vitruvius 15). Also, the structure should illuminate beauty through pleasing appearance attained through correct symmetry.

Contrast to Alternative Education

Vitruvius backs Plato emphasis for rational ordering to affirm the need for a well-educated architect. The latter proposes the nature of the professional formation of architects should impact scientific and mathematical knowledge. The platonic vision for architectural studies involves characterizing the professional architect though skills and knowledge one should possess. The primary implication of their argument is embracing scientific building through harmonic proportions (Pont 76). They support that architects are the arbitrators to attain good in their work using their acquired skills. They support the Aristotelian argument that skilled architects should express canonic symmetrical in their work by evoking greater appearances of beauty and suitability of purpose. Like Plato, Vitruvius model acknowledges the importance of architectural knowledge with the emphasis on geometry and Cartesian abstractions. However, their arguments demonstrate that architecture requires artisanal knowledge as foundational to professional architecture.

The general practice of Vitruvius reveals in the modern architecture education though bled with the Academie Royal d'Architecture principles. The modern education emphasizes the apprenticeship structure derived from Academie des Beaux-Arts and Ecole des Beaux-Arts. The apprenticeship structure dominates the French system that uses built-in hierarchy to impact artisanal practice to the individual (Newman and Vassigh 68). It emphasis was gaining practical knowledge and skills in a state-certification structure. Similar to Vitruvius, it emphasizes that individuals professing as architects should enrich themselves by learning widely through staircase approach. The French-system supports the view that individuals should nurse themselves in arts and sciences to scale the holy ground heights in architecture.

The French system of apprenticeship learning structure featured in the British system centred articled pupilage. The two systems emphasized placing students under master architects evident today in the trainee and internship programs. The articled pupilage system aligned what the trainee architects did use formalized order derived from abstract geometry. Guided by the natural law, it becomes similar to Vitruvius model requiring architects to gain wide knowledge to make pleasing and durable artefacts founded on statics and socially responsive laws. Cumulatively, the British system illuminates German Bildung traditions of civilizing education. The modern architecture education borrows from the Prussia system summarized in Christian Wolff theory that links learning through the dissemination of scholarly research to audiences (Newman and Vassigh 69). It embraces the Vitruvius principle of gaining wide practical knowledge since research-driven burden hinders knowledge producing abilities. The hybrid architecture education implemented in the United States resembles the foundation laid by Vitruvius model. It acknowledges that the professional-practitioner pupilage in English system proves unstable similar to the French state-dominated approach.

American hybrid approach orients towards research-based learning in universities blend with applied science. Unlike the professional associations in the British system, it draws architecture towards standardized Beaux-Arts system. The American hybrid model focus on the organized pursuit of independent research projects allowing the student to apply and test the theoretical knowledge. Unlike the Vitruvius model, it prioritizes coherence in the research agenda where teachers are perceived practitioners who embrace academics. Different from the German system that leaves applied research to technical schools. However, the American hybrid education aligns with the Beaux-Arts apprenticeship approach. It demands studio-as-learning environment allowing practising architect enrich practical knowledge to students using their intellectual orientation. The adoption of Beaux-Arts model differs with the Vitruvius by postponing practical until completion of formal education (Newman and Vassigh 69). In particular, it contradicts Vitruvius proposal for conducting competitive architectural designs continuously learnt through school. Nevertheless, it backs Vitruvius position of having broad architecture curriculum founded on applied research on construction and structures blend with the Beaux model of artistry.

The conflicting position evident in the above education systems yields tension on professional architecture system aggravated by the hybridity. Donald Schon emphasizes that contemporary architectural designs should align to deliver usable structures, hence affirming the Vitruvius' utilitas principle. His position holds that architectural education should train practitioners to promote beauty in the society to ensure the rebirth of sustainable architecture. It explains the focus on architecture that satisfies human needs and derives happiness through healthier and environmentally viable structures. The hybridity system draws parallels to Vitruvius thou...