Look closely at the design of the building's exterior bays. Focus on a series of bays rather than the entire elevation.
engineering
Description
In
his designs for the Crystal Palace, Paxton did not directly imitate historical
examples of Renaissance or Gothic styles. Yet characteristic architectural
features of these modes of building certainly influenced many of his design
decisions. At the same time, these stylistic traditions were disrupted by new
materials and technologies of construction. This dialectic of continuity and
disruption can be seen by comparing some aspects of the Crystal Palace to
examples of earlier architectural styles. In answering these questions, recall
the methods of Professor Hays's first comparison of the Greek temple and the
modern house, as well as Professor Naginsky's analysis of Alberti's facades.
Part 1
Look closely at the design of the building's exterior bays.
Focus on a series of bays rather than the entire elevation. (The bay, in this case, comprises slender iron columns
spaced eight feet apart, each linked by a metal arch-like connector, over which
is a horizontal ventilation panel with open circles and rectangles). Now
compare and contrast this series of bays from the Crystal Palace with a series
of bays from the palazzo Ca' d'Oro. List at least three attributes the two
building elevations have in common and three ways in which the bays are
different. Pay attention to composition, materials, and details.
Part 2
Look closely at the interior of the Crystal
Palace (Images D and E), including the section of the building, the overall
space, and how it is constructed. Focus on a series of interior bays as well as
the vault. Notice materials, building components like vertical columns,
horizontal trusses, and how parts of the structure are connected. Compare and
contrast the interior space of the Crystal Palace to that of the Salisbury
Cathedral (Image F). List at least three attributes the two buildings have in
common and three ways in which they are different.
