INTRODUCTION
Firstly, I think it is very crucial to again give a quick summary of topics that are covered by the book “Theatrum architecturae civilis” written by Charles Philippe Dieussart. Previous research has led me to following findings:
The book is divided in three chapters and every chapter is dedicated to its own topic:
- What is architecture? How to design long-lasting and goal-oriented buildings (what material should be used, etc.)
- Columns and their orders
- Proportions of windows, doors, stairs, arcades, etc.
The following quote from the book “A history of architectural theory” proves the correctness of my findings:
“…contains sections on building materials, a comparative treatment of the Orders, and prescriptions for particular architectural members…”
PROCESS
I have started my conversation with Alice with following keywords: “Doric, Ionic, Corinthian”, “Orders”, “Analyse orders”, “proportion”, “symmetry”, “compare orders”, “material”, “long-lasting”, “goal-oriented”, “proportion of window/door/stairs/arcades”, etc.
I must emphasise that everything went really smooth and quick and that most of the keywords have brought me to literature related to my book. On Alice platform I have not only used the “topic” and “keyword” section, but also “concepts around index”, which was very helpful when determining the relevance of the book.
I have also tried out different brains/bodies of Alice, but at the end I have decided to go for Xenotheka, as advised in the short tutorials by Miro Roman.
At the end of this short research, I had a fairly rich selection of relevant books. To select two most relevant and interesting literatures, I have used the platform “Google books”, which has supplied me with short descriptions of the books. I have also looked at each book’s contents page to check again its relevance.
DE JONGE, UNITY AND DISCONTINUITY
This study focuses on change and continuity within the architecture of the Southern and Northern Low Countries from 1530 to 1700. The book establishes a new, common history of architecture for both parts of the Low Countries during the 17th century.
I have chosen the above-mentioned book, as it has numerous connections to the book written by Dieussart and to the author itself. First of all, the book covers the history of 16th and 17th century architecture – the same century in which C.P. Dieussart has written, lived and worked in. In addition, the location of analysed architecture – architecture of low countries – is the same in both literatures.
Secondly, the structure of the study and the topics that are addressed in it are very similar. Both authors begin with the definition and principles of architecture at that mentioned time. After the introduction and theory, columns, orders, symmetry, ornaments and Vitruvius come to discussion. At the end there are also chapters dedicated to construction process and building materials.
KOOLHAAS, ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE
The second book is a book with exactly 2528 pages, and it is a manifestation of the research produced by a large team under the guidance of Rem Koolhaas. It is a book that is dedicated just to buildings´ elements.
The book is a perfect continuation of Dieussart´s last chapter, where he analyses elements that architecture consists of (windows, staircases, doors, etc.). World is evolving all the time and with the world also cultural preferences, technology, global exchange, climatic adaptions, regulatory requirements, regimes, etc. All these has an influence on architecture elements, their proportions and preferences. Because of all the changes and developments, architecture elements and their proportions have changed, and new ideals were born. Koolhaas shows us in his analysis all the preferences and ideals of architectural elements and how they were evolving.
I really love the tension between the preferences, proportions and ideals of architectural elements nowadays and 400 years ago and I am positively sure that this tension establishes a strong connection between these two books.