wmfa14-+Architecture+and+Houses

· Architecture of the Renaissance resembles that of Ancient Greece and Rome, which it initiated from. · Renaissance architecture emphasized symmetry, proportion, geometry, and concepts demonstrated in ancient Roman architecture. · Characteristics of Renaissance architecture: o // Ceilings: // Level and fixed to walls. Often times they were painted but were never left open as seen in medieval architecture. o // Doors: // Usually doors had square lintels. Openings that don’t contain a door are arched and supportive of a keystone. o // Windows: // Used to capture light into buildings and stained glass was very popular. o // Walls: // Internal walls are smoothed to perfection and consist of white-chalk paint. External walls are dressed with laid stone to represent strength. o // Columns and pilasters: // Architects planed to use columns, pilasters along with several other features as an accommodated system. · Homes varied according to social class and wealth o Peasant homes § Less valuable and not nearly as luxurious as the Richs’ homes. Peasants’ homes were made from earth, stone, or wood depending on the amount of each material. Also, the floors of these homes were made from tiles or compressed dirt à hay, herbs, and maybe even flowers were laid on floors to help decrease the evident odor o Middle Class homes (Merchants, artisans, lawyers, and doctors) § Middle Class homes were made from wood or stucco and eventually, brick became more popular. These homes were small in width with only two or three rooms per floor, but they were tall. o Nobility and Royalty homes (Castles) § Castles were used for protection during wars; eventually wars became obsolete towards the end of the Middle Ages, as peace comforted most of Western Europe. At the beginning of the Renaissance these Castles became homes for the nobility and royalty. These castles at the time pleased the ostentatious upper class at the time.
 * Architecture and Homes: **