Unit 1: Foundations

The image shown below was taken in lower Manhattan, at the Canal Street Market. This place has been opened recently and has attracted many New Yorkers and tourists. The market is known for popular snacks and drinks that people enjoy. The Canal Street Market has a welcoming environment, it is large and is adorned by plants. Towards the back there is a sun roof which brightens up the market and makes it an appealing place for people to take photographs. One element of architecture that makes the place relevant to unit one is the columns that are located right in the center of the market. The columns serve as a foundation that holds the place together, additionally, it sets a wonderful theme. The function of these columns are most likely to provide support to the building foundation, considering that it is extremely large and high. Also, the columns are nice addition to the designing of the market. In unit one, we were introduced to the Pantheon, which is described as a ‘true architectural wonder’ and is known for its appearance. Also, the Pantheon is known to be one of the most imitated buildings in history. The Canal Street Market would be a perfect example of an imitation of the Pantheon, because of the columns both buildings have. Although the columns are mostly similar, there are slight differences between them; for example, the color and size of the two were different. The Canal Street Market had black thin columns with white artwork done at the ends. The Pantheon, on the other hand, was thicker and more of a cement color. Additionally, it seems that the Pantheon’s columns have more of a purpose to hold up the infrastructure, whereas the market is for attraction purposes.

Pantheon or High School?!?! (Cameron Cannon)

If you say this is Midwood High School then you are correct! If you said “Wow, Brooklyn Pantheon!” you are also correct. This is an image I took outside of Midwood while waiting for the B6 bus. It has six Ionic columns similar to that of the Pantheon in Rome, Italy. An ionic column can be recognized easily with the scrolls on it’s capital and are thin compared to the deisel Doric columns that were made in the proportion of men.

This building was built in 1940 as the result of the Works Project Administration to hire millions of unskilled workers who happened to be unemployed.  Midwood also has a Georgian Cuopla [fun fact]. Along with it’s Greek artitecture, Midwood’s motto is a latin phrase, “Verus, Bonus, Et Pulcher” meaning the true, the good and the beautiful”. So, if you ever think it’s hard to find any ancient form of art in New York City, right across the street from Brooklyn College is the perfect inspiration and I did not look too hard.

Hall, Stephen S. “The Smart Set.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 June 2000, http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/04/magazine/the-smart-set.html?mcubz=3. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017.