Video Review: Architecture

1.   1.   One of  key concept of the film, “Last Call for Planet Earth: Sustainable Development and Architecture” is how architects are developing solutions to make buildings that use less energy, and are made with better resources that are renewable. The video asserts the need for sustainability to do what we can to stop global warming. The use of natural light, natural inertia of a building, new insolation technology and roof gardens help to reduce the energy buildings consume. Keeping buildings thin allows for ventilation and cooling taking much less energy. Keeping building smaller, using wood and restoring old buildings are ways architects reduce the materials needed to build. Innovations in city planning make architecture less dominant to nature and simpler to human use.

       .The second video I watched was “Frank Gehry: Architecture as Art”. The main concepts of this included the life of Frank Gehry and how he became one of the best architects living today. He was born in Toronto, Canada but now lives in California where he works. An important concept of this video is how Gerhy developed his style and where he gets his inspiration. He stated that his inspiration comes from art, especially that of Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Serra, Dada and Pop artists. Characteristics of Gerhy’s architecture are another main concept. He is not limited by structural concerns, but takes advantage of new technology and materials to make sweeping, organic shaped buildings. His concerns as an architect include attention to natural light, and the connections the building has with the environment it’s in and the people who occupy it. Some of his most famous buildings are the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, the Disney Offices in FL, and the L.A Concert center.

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       2. Last Call for Planet Earth, related to the last part of Chapter 13 on “Green Architecture”. Both deal with new techniques that architects are using innovative ideas and technologies to create less wasteful human habitats. The Frank Gerhry film relates to the reading because he is mentioned in the part of the text about the purpose of architecture for public use as museums. Gerhy’s innovative design for the Guggenheim of Bilbao is discussed in the book and thoroughly in the movie.

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         3. I enjoyed both of these films and found them to be very informative. I liked that the video on sustainable architecture gave a global view on this topic from architects all over the world. This added an understanding on green architecture beyond the American viewpoint as well as a lot of detailed information on how to make buildings with the planet in mind. I also liked the Frank Gerhy video because I learned so much about him that I did not know before. It helped me to understand who he is, why he designs the way he does and how he uses technology to do so.

4.      4 I chose Last Call for Earth, because I have some friends who studied architecture at college who introduced me to the idea sustainable building and wanted to know more. I have always had a concern for the environment so I really wanted to know what is being done in this field to be more efficient and eco-friendly. I think this is a true concern for our future and more policies for building green should be put in place. I have seen images of Frank Gerry’s architecture and am in complete awe of it, which is why I immediately picked his video. I saw the concert pavilion that Gerhy designed for Chicago’s Millennium Park last year and have been very intrigued by his designs ever since.