Blog Post 2: A circle, a group, and a stack

For this assignment we had to walk around campus and find buildings, objects, spaces, and places that show how some of the ideas from the earliest examples of architecture have influenced architecture today.  We had to find one example around campus of each a circle, a group, and a stack, which were the ideas that early civilizations used in their architecture to emulate what they saw in their environment.  The circles were the sun and moon, the groups were groves of trees, and the stacks were mountains.

Group - Alumni House

The columns at the front entrance to the alumni house form a group.  The tall rectilinear columns were once used in early architecture because presumably they mimicked what we now know to be trees.

Circles - EUC

The Elliot University Center was where we found some of the examples for circles.  There was a circular area both at the rear entrance to the building as well as the front entrance.  Circles were thought to be used in past architecture for ceremonies, to mark sacred spots, and to map the sun and moon.  This form seems fitting for the EUC because it is where a lot of important activities take place at UNCG.  The EUC is the center of all activities at UNCG and it is a common meeting place whether it is meeting up for coffee, meals, studying, group activities, or just hanging out.  It is where quite a few of the "rituals" at UNCG happen.  

Rear Entrance Ceiling View

Rear Entrance Floor View

Front Entrance Ceiling View

Front Entrance Floor View

Stacks - Jackson Library

The Jackson Library is a good example of the idea of stacks because each of the huge stone blocks in the library tower each represent a floor and the perfectly aligned windows in the main building give the same effect.  However, the library also represents the idea of groups with the tall marble columns at the front entrance to the library.