UNIT 1: THE MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENT

Think about the topic

(Image by Konstantinos Michail via https://www.123rf.com/)

In pairs/small groups discuss:

A Are you interested in architecture? What is architecture? When was modern architecture
born? How did architecture change in past 100 years? Report your definition of the architecture to
the class and how it changed in recent years.

B Talk about the differences between the old building and the modern buildings in the photo
above. Where do you think this photo was taken? Report three key differences to the class.

Begin to Read

Skim the paragraph patterns and the main idea. Read the text below quickly. Then scan to find the
years that correspond to each of the descriptions below (5-7 minutes).

________ modern architecture was born

________ geometric forms were used in the design

________ pre-fabricated sections were used in the construction

________ preserving old buildings became popular

________ the use of metal and glass became more common

________ post-modernism emerged

Consider the overall structure of this text. How was this text organised?
 ARCHITECTURE – REACHING FOR THE SKY
Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and structures. A building reflects the scientific and
technological achievements of the age as well as the ideas and aspirations of the designer and client. The appearance
of individual buildings, however, is often controversial. The use of an architectural style cannot be said to start or
finish on a specific date. Neither is it possible to say exactly what characterises a particular movement. But the
origins of what is now generally known as modern architecture can be traced back to the social and technological
changes of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Instead of using timber, stone and traditional building techniques, architects began to explore ways of
creating buildings by using the latest technology and materials such as steel, glass and concrete strengthened steel
bars, known as reinforced concrete. Technological advances also helped bring about the decline of rural industries
and an increase in urban populations as people moved to the towns to work in the new factories. Such rapid and
uncontrolled growth helped to turn parts of cities into slums.
By the 1920s architects throughout Europe were reacting against the conditions created by industrialisation.
A new style of architecture emerged to reflect more idealistic notions for the future. It was made possible by new
materials and construction techniques and was known as Modernism.
By the 1930s many buildings emerging from this movement were designed in the International Style. This
was largely characterised by the bold use of new materials and simple, geometric forms, often with white walls
supported by stilt-like pillars. These were stripped of unnecessary decoration that would detract from their primary
purpose — to be used or lived in.
Walter Gropius, Charles Jeanneret (better known as Le Corbusier) and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe were
among the most influential of the many architects who contributed to the development of Modernism in the first
half of the century. But the economic depression of the 1930s and the second world war (1939-45) prevented their
ideas from being widely realised until the economic conditions improved and wartorn cities had to be rebuilt. By the
1950s, the International Style had developed into a universal approach to building, which standardised the
appearance of new buildings in cities across the world.
Unfortunately, this Modernist interest in geometric simplicity and function became exploited for profit. The
rediscovery of quick-and-easy-to-handle reinforced concrete and an improved ability to prefabricate building
sections meant that builders could meet the budgets of commissioning authorities and handle a renewed demand
for development quickly and cheaply. But this led to many badly designed buildings, which discredited the original
aims of Modernism.
Influenced by Le Corbusier’s ideas on town planning, every large British city built multistorey housing
estates in the 1960s. Mass-produced, low-cost high-rises seemed to offer a solution to the problem of housing a
growing inner-city population. But far from meeting human needs, the new estates often proved to be windswept
deserts lacking essential social facilities and services. Many of these buildings were poorly designed and constructed
and have since been demolished.
By the 1970s, a new respect for the place of buildings within the existing townscape arose. Preserving
historic buildings or keeping only their facades (or fronts) grew common. Architects also began to make more use of
building styles and materials that were traditional to the area. The architectural style usually referred to as High Tech
was also emerging. It celebrated scientific and engineering achievements by openly parading the sophisticated
techniques used in construction. Such buildings are commonly made of metal and glass; examples are Stansted
airport and the Lloyd’s building in London.
Disillusionment at the failure of many of the poor imitations of Modernist architecture led to interest in
various styles and ideas from the past and present. By the 1980s the coexistence of different styles of architecture in
the same building became known as Post Modern. Other architects looked back to the classical tradition. The trend
in architecture now favours smaller scale building design that reflects a growing public awareness of environmental
issues such as energy efficiency. Like the Modernists, people today recognise that a well-designed environment
improves the quality of life but is not necessarily achieved by adopting one well defined style of architecture.
Twentieth century architecture will mainly be remembered for its tall buildings. They have been made
possible by the development of light steel frames and safe passenger lifts. They originated in the US over a century
ago to help meet the demand for more economical use of land. As construction techniques improved, the skyscraper
became a reality.

(text by Ruth Coleman via CambridgeEbook )

Work in groups of four. Each member will take one of the following roles:

Student 1: Summarizer
Student 2: Questioner
Student 3: Clarifier
Student 4: Predictor

Use note-taking strategies such as selective underlining or sticky-notes to help you better prepare for
your role in the discussion. Follow these steps:

1. Decide on four stopping points in the text. At the first given stopping point, the Summarizer
will highlight the key ideas up to this point in the reading.
2. The Questioner will then pose questions about the selection:
- Unclear parts
- Puzzling information
- Connections to other concepts already learned
3. The Clarifier will address confusing parts and attempt to answer the questions that were just
posed.
4. The Predictor can offer predictions about what the author will tell the group next
5. The roles in the group then switch one person to the right, Then, read till the next stopping
point in the text. Repeat the process using your new roles. This continues until the entire
selection is read.
6. Throughout the process, your teacher will guide you and help you use the four strategies
successfully within the small group.

Reflect

Turn to the person sitting next to you and discuss the following:

- Was I able summarize the topic and tell to my friend?