Roman Influence
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- Category: Arts
- Date Submitted: 08/09/2015 03:34 PM
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Roman Influence
The roman concept of communal activities led to the architectural design of public structures. Their creation of theaters, stadiums, market places and memorials set the precedence for such structures of the future. Many of today’s buildings incorporate roman influences into design and aesthetics but utilize modern construction materials to create function and efficiency.
The Houston Miller Outdoor Theater and the theater of Pompeii have designs that are similar. They are both proscenium theaters and are designed for acoustical resonation. They seat viewers in a semi-circle layout with a stair step fashion. The orchestra is in a horseshoe area in front of the stage. The theater of Pompeii is set into the natural slope of a ridge, with the seating area or cavea cut out of the rock. The seating would accommodate 5,000 people. There was an awning called a velarium covering the cavea to protect the spectators against the weather and sun. The theater is connected to a large area that the viewers could stroll during intermissions (Caecilius). The Miller Outdoor Theater is set against a manmade hill with a section of covered seating that holds 1708 patrons. The hillside will accommodate 4,500 blanket/ lawn chair seating or 9,000 standing. The theater has a 110-ton air conditioning unit for the comfort of those in the performance area. The sound system is state-of-the-art which further enhances the sound clarity of the performance (Miller). The Houston Astrodome and the Flavian Amphitheater / Colosseum have designs that are equivalent in retrospect to the technology of the eras in which they were built. The amphitheater was designed so well its plan is still in use today. The levels of seats are laid over barrel vaulted access corridors and entrance tunnels allowing spectators an uninterrupted view of the performance. The walls on the top level supported an awning that could be pulled out to shade the seats. (Stolstad p.186-187). The dome on the Pantheon...
The roman concept of communal activities led to the architectural design of public structures. Their creation of theaters, stadiums, market places and memorials set the precedence for such structures of the future. Many of today’s buildings incorporate roman influences into design and aesthetics but utilize modern construction materials to create function and efficiency.
The Houston Miller Outdoor Theater and the theater of Pompeii have designs that are similar. They are both proscenium theaters and are designed for acoustical resonation. They seat viewers in a semi-circle layout with a stair step fashion. The orchestra is in a horseshoe area in front of the stage. The theater of Pompeii is set into the natural slope of a ridge, with the seating area or cavea cut out of the rock. The seating would accommodate 5,000 people. There was an awning called a velarium covering the cavea to protect the spectators against the weather and sun. The theater is connected to a large area that the viewers could stroll during intermissions (Caecilius). The Miller Outdoor Theater is set against a manmade hill with a section of covered seating that holds 1708 patrons. The hillside will accommodate 4,500 blanket/ lawn chair seating or 9,000 standing. The theater has a 110-ton air conditioning unit for the comfort of those in the performance area. The sound system is state-of-the-art which further enhances the sound clarity of the performance (Miller). The Houston Astrodome and the Flavian Amphitheater / Colosseum have designs that are equivalent in retrospect to the technology of the eras in which they were built. The amphitheater was designed so well its plan is still in use today. The levels of seats are laid over barrel vaulted access corridors and entrance tunnels allowing spectators an uninterrupted view of the performance. The walls on the top level supported an awning that could be pulled out to shade the seats. (Stolstad p.186-187). The dome on the Pantheon...