Reading Response 3: Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

         (ca. 70- 25 BCE)

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was a famous  Roman architect, engineer and author of  De Architectura ,known today as the Ten Books on Architecture.The basic elements and principles described in the treatise have remained the elemental foundation of architectural design today( Roth,p.11). In fact, Vitruvius was responsible for suggesting that the three orders- Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian- form should be controlled by proportions unique to each ( Ching, p.164) see reading response 2: Orders for further information.

Firmitatis, Utilitatis, Venustatis

Vitruvius  proposed that all architecture must provide three basic elements: utility, firmness, and beauty( Roth, p.11).Vitruvius describes utility in terms of function, or it's intended use- in the essence of Vitruvius I will leave it at that. The term firmness was used to describe the use of proper building material, as well as, possessing a solid structural foundation(Roth, p.11). Beauty is used to describe the appearance as being visually appealing. Below are examples of stilts being used to suit the utility of the architecture.

To accommodate the uneven mountainous terrain the house was built on stilts

To protect the house from rising water levels the house was built on stilts.

To obtain the best view