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Chapter 15 – Architecture Multiple Choice Questions 1. It is thought that the sloping sides of the pyramids in Egypt were intended to mimic a) the sands of the Sahara. b) the rays of the sun. c) the orb of Isis. d) the eyes of Akhenhaten. Answer: b 2. The Pont du Gard, in Nîmes, France, is an excellent example of which element of architecture? a) load-bearing b) skeleton-and-skin c) balloon frame d) arch Answer: d 3. Notre Dame Cathedral, in Paris, is an example of which architectural style? a) Gothic b) Romanesque c) basilica d) post-and-lintel Answer: a 4. Robie House is a typical work by the architect a) Mies van der Rohe. b) William Morris. c) Frank Lloyd Wright. d) Eero Saarinen. Answer: c 5. The International Style is a type of architecture marked by a) rigid lines. b) integration with topography. c) austere geometric simplicity. d) mass and volume. Answer: c 6. Johnson and Burgee’s University of Houston, College of Architecture is said to be a postmodern building because it: a) employs Louis Sullivan’s “form follows function” maxim. b) follows the modernist mantra, “form over function.” c) borrows from many different styles and time periods. d) uses post-and-lintel architecture. Answer: c 7. Thomas Coram’s View of Mulberry House and Street is a good example of a) postmodern architecture. b) architecture conforming to its local environment and available technology. c) neo-Classical architecture. d) architecture that defies its local environment and available technology. Answer: b 8. Gothic cathedrals, such Amiens, shared many characteristics with which earlier style of architecture? a) Greek b) Roman c) Romanesque d) Byzantine Answer: c 9. Which of these previous architectural styles does Emilio Ambasz’s ACROS building most resemble? a) Gothic cathedrals b) Mesopotamian ziggurats c) Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie House d) Egyptian pyramids Answer: b 10. Louis Sullivan utilized which type of construction in the late 19th century in Chicago to build increasingly tall buildings? a) load bearing b) cast iron c) steel and glass curtain d) steel and reinforced concrete Answer: d 11. The Seagram Building, designed by Philip Johnson and Mies van der Rohe, is a perfect example of a) the International Style. b) the Prairie Style. c) Bauhaus style. d) postmodernism. Answer: a 12. The Anasazi cliffside caves at Mesa Verde show the roofs of what elements which are the underground spaces for ceremonial life? a) ziggurats b) kivas c) sipapu d) architraves Answer: b 13. What building method was used for the construction of the Egyptian pyramids? a) load bearing b) truss c) post and lintel d) skeleton and skin Answer: a 14. The Romans created larger interior spaces in architecture than the Greeks because a) they were able to use stronger stone for the post-and-lintel constructions. b) they combined the use of the arch with the use of concrete. c) they understood the limits of tensile strength. d) they used skeleton and steel construction. Answer: b 15. In the Gothic period, when Notre Dame de Paris was built, architects preferred to use a) pointed arches. b) barrel vaults. c) solid wall construction. d) domes. Answer: a 16. How did Gothic architects compensate for the lateral thrust of the cathedrals? a) by staggering systems of lintels b) with flying buttresses c) by filling in walls and windows d) with concrete Answer: b 17. The Romans perfected which architectural innovation by the end of the first century BCE? a) post and lintel construction b) the amphitheater c) the arch d) the dome Answer: d 18. Which work was the centerpiece for the 1889 Paris Exposition? a) the Crystal Palace b) the Parthenon c) the Eiffel Tower d) the Pantheon Answer: c 19. Frederick Olmsted conceived of what common architectural concept? a) the beltway b) the city park c) the suburb d) the apartment complex Answer: c 20. Frank Lloyd Wright designed several houses that were based on the “vastness of the western landscape” and were “of the land, not just on the land.” What did he call this style of house? a) the Landscape House b) the Craftsman-style House c) the machine for living d) the Prairie House Answer: d 21. Which of these best describes Frank Gehry’s design process? a) it is very controlled, almost rigid b) he borrows heavily from previous architectural styles c) it is fluid and experimental d) it is focused entirely on natural lines Answer: c 22. Which of these is not a basic principle of “green architecture”? a) use of recycled, reusable, and sustainable materials b) integration and compatibility with the natural environment c) smaller buildings d) buildings that make maximum use of energy supplies like coal and nuclear power Answer: d 23. Historically, architectural styles and building techniques have been dependent upon a) the whims of academically-trained aesthetes. b) the ability of local artisans to transport massive building materials over great distances. c) environment (the lay of the land and climate) and technology (available materials and the ability to manipulate them). d) theoretical fluctuations between “form follows function” and “form over function.” Answer: c Short Answer and Essay Questions 24. The characteristic that allows a material to span a horizontal distance without sagging or breaking under its own weight is called what? Answer: The characteristic that allows a material to span a horizontal distance without sagging or breaking under its own weight is called "structural integrity." 25. What are the two basic structural systems of walls utilized by buildings? Answer: The two basic structural systems of walls utilized by buildings are load-bearing walls and curtain walls. 26. Name the three Greek architectural orders. Answer: The three Greek architectural orders are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. 27. Define colonnade. Answer: A colonnade is a row of columns supporting a horizontal entablature (lintel) or roof structure. 28. Explain how architecture can be both an art and a science. Answer: Architecture can be both an art and a science because it involves both creative expression and technical expertise. As an art, architecture encompasses elements of design, aesthetics, and expression, allowing architects to create spaces that evoke emotions, convey meaning, and enrich the human experience. At the same time, architecture is a science that requires knowledge of engineering principles, materials, structural integrity, and environmental factors to ensure the safety, functionality, and sustainability of built structures. Therefore, architecture combines artistic vision with scientific principles to produce buildings and spaces that are both visually compelling and structurally sound. 29. Discuss the Roman contribution to architecture. Answer: The Romans made significant contributions to architecture through their innovative engineering, construction techniques, and monumental structures. They developed the use of concrete as a building material, allowing for the construction of large-scale projects such as aqueducts, amphitheaters, basilicas, baths, and temples. Roman architecture also featured the use of arches, vaults, and domes, which enabled the creation of spacious interior spaces and grand architectural forms. Additionally, the Romans introduced the concept of urban planning and infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges, and aqueducts, which facilitated the expansion and organization of cities throughout the Roman Empire. 30. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the post-and-lintel method of construction and the skeleton and skin method of construction? Answer: The post-and-lintel method of construction, characterized by vertical posts supporting horizontal lintels, offers simplicity, versatility, and durability. However, it is limited in span and requires substantial materials for support, limiting the design possibilities. In contrast, the skeleton and skin method of construction, which utilizes a framework (skeleton) to support an exterior enclosure (skin), allows for greater flexibility in design, larger spans, and efficient use of materials. However, it requires careful engineering to ensure structural stability and may be more complex and costly to construct. 31. Discuss the buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright. What were his contributions to residential architecture? Answer: Frank Lloyd Wright was a pioneering architect known for his innovative and organic approach to residential architecture. His buildings often feature open floor plans, integration with the natural environment, and the use of geometric forms and materials such as wood, stone, and glass. Wright's contributions to residential architecture include the development of the Prairie style, characterized by low-pitched roofs, horizontal lines, and open interior spaces that flow seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. He also popularized the concept of the "Usonian" house, which aimed to provide affordable and functional housing for the middle class while promoting a sense of unity with nature. Wright's designs revolutionized residential architecture by emphasizing harmony between the built environment and the natural world, influencing generations of architects worldwide. 32. How do the Egyptian pyramids relate to the topography of their site? Answer: The Egyptian pyramids are situated on flat, desert plains along the Nile River, typically on elevated ground to maximize their visibility and significance. The orientation and alignment of the pyramids were carefully planned to correspond with the cardinal directions, with the sides of the pyramids facing north, south, east, and west. Additionally, the positioning of the pyramids within the landscape reflects the ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife and the connection between the earthly realm and the celestial realm. The monumental scale and geometric precision of the pyramids contribute to their prominence in the landscape and their enduring cultural significance. Test Bank for A World of Art Henry M. Sayre 9780205901340, 9780205887576, 9780134082349, 9780134081809, 9780205898879
