Part of the spiral staircase.

Not the best photo but the only one I could find atm.

I know St. Peter's is huge. I meant that for what it was supposed to be, the King's hunting lodge, and Versailles was built partly because Chambord was too cramped.

i still don't like the roof. wasn't the place built for Francis 1? wasn't Leonardo dV involved in some way? can't really remember now..

Francis I, yeah. Early 16th C. I don't think there is an actually documented architect for this construction. Francis himself stuck his finger in the works on this one quite a bit. My guess is that his ego would not permit anyone else getting credit for it so he sort of let the authorship of this one get lost or something.

The roof line isn't all that bad, especially if you take into account the primitive nature of fire places in that age - very heat inefficient, huge and requiring loads of wood to warm up a stoney cold chamber. Most of those vertical extensions are chimneys.

I'm generally more attracted to modern and futurist style buildings like the Guggenheim and Safdie's Habitat67:


However I visited Spain a few years ago and was absolutely blown away by the Alhambra

Edited by - CODENAME on 10/13/2004 11:00:07 AM

the Alhambra is wonderful, isn't it? it should be on everyone's list of must-sees.

great choice, Code! do you have an opinion on l'Unité d'Habitation? it's de rigeur to hate it these days (as indeed for all Modern Movement as toytown classicism and pastiche dominate) but i find the UdH in Marseilles sublime.

Futurism - I knew there was a reason i liked you!

I wrote a little something about the Alhambra as architecture and expression of culture in one of my college Winter Study terms. I was quite taken with it even thought all I had was black and white photographs to look at.

Never have been to Espagna. Would like to go there but not before Italy.

oh for sure Italialand first. if you can ever get to the correct European country that begins with "I" let me know and I will *arrange* some special access for you where i can. There are certain advantages to having clergy as relatives

architecture and expression of culture, huh? i wrote something on a similar theme on "National Trends in Design and Architecture" for a finals year seminar.

Edited by - Tawakalna on 10/13/2004 2:23:23 PM

I like castles...they are pure architectural marvels

Here are soem example from Serbia:

Golubac Castle

A superb Serbian medieval ruin opposite the island of Moldova. Nine large towers rise above the river.



The fortified town of Belgrade in the 15th century (Model)


The fortress in the second half of the 18th century (Model)


If you are interested to see real pictures, and read more about it

Edited by - Leonhart on 10/13/2004 2:14:49 PM

of course, for some people, architecture is just a place to keep stuff in. like handbags, shoes, jewellery, perfume etc


magnificent, isn't it?


and of course, there's this experience. perfection.

Is that Rome as seen from the Capitoline hill?

As far as UdH is concerned I've never been its biggest fan but I certainly don't see anything wrong with it either. It's certainly very well concieved and executed.

Edited by - CODENAME on 10/13/2004 3:36:27 PM

it's Firenze from the gardens on Monte Alle Croci. I shrinkified the picture too much

Ah. Firenze. Now that is a beautiful city. Interesting history too what with the Medicis and all that.

Taw - there was a prog on about the alhama or whatever its called city in Spain - it also covered the history of the time around it all too. Interesting stuff.

The Umayyad Caliphate in what was left of Al Andalus.

I'd forgotten that the Duomo was the first of its kind and construction.