For this assignment, you will visit
and research a historic building in the Scranton area. You can refer to the
following two resources on Brightspace which discuss landmarks in Scranton to
help you select the building(s) for your paper:
1.
Downtown
Scranton Landmark Buildings and Districts (Scranton Historical and
Architectural Review Board, 2015)
2.
History
Set in Stone: A Guide to Downtown Scranton Architecture (Lackawanna Heritage
Valley and Lackawanna Historical Society)
Parameters
1.
Select
1-2 buildings in the Scranton area to research for your paper. If you select
more than one building, you are permitted to compare and contrast their
architectural styles. You will visit the building(s) and take photos for
reference as you research and write your paper. You should include photos in
the narrative of your paper to illustrate your observations.
2.
Your
paper must be between 2,000-3,000 words (approximately 5-7 pages)
a.
I
do not have a preference on font size or spacing. The word count will be used
to assess whether or not the your paper meets the length requirement.
3.
Bibliography
– You must have at least four scholarly sources for your research.
a.
How
do I find and cite my sources?
i. Weinberg Memorial Library: www.scranton.edu/library
ii. Review the library’s Student
Resources Guide here: https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/infolit/student-resources.shtml
b.
Citation
Styles: I accept MLA, APA or Chicago Manual Style.
i. Citation Help: https://www.scranton.edu/academics/wml/citation-help.shtml
c.
Acceptable
Web Resources:
i. Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art
History: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/
ii. Smart History: https://smarthistory.org/
iii. All other web-based resources that
are NOT found via the Library’s catalog must be approved by me in advance.
4.
Please
make sure you include your name, the course number, and title of your paper.
Elements of the Paper
Introduction
·
Identify
the building(s) that are the subject of your paper.
·
Provide
general information: name, location, date of opening, architect (when known).
·
Identify
the style(s) of architecture that correspond to the building (i.e. Gothic,
Neoclassical, Victorian, Industrial Era, Art Deco, etc.)
·
Describe
why you selected the building(s).
·
Provide
a thesis of your paper. (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a
LibGuide with tips on writing a thesis statement: https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/). The University of
Wisconsin-Madison also has helpful descriptions of thesis statements: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/process/thesis_or_purpose/
Information
·
Provide
historical information about the building(s) and architect(s), when available.
·
Discuss,
when knowable, the commission of the building. Who commissioned its
construction?
·
Describe
the building’s original function and purpose.
·
If
the function and purpose have changed over time, please explain those changes.
How has the building been adapted or modernized? The Smurfit Arts Center on
campus, for example, is a former church that was renovated by the University
for both administrative offices as well as an art studio.
·
Do
you notice any modern additions to the building(s) because of the changes in
its use?
Synthesis
·
Identify
and describe of the style(s) of the building(s). Describe the architectural characteristics
of the style based on your research.
·
Provide
some historical background on style(s). Keep in mind that many buildings are a
combination of two or more styles.
·
Where
(region, country, and/or culture) and when did the style originate?
o
Examples:
If the building is considered Neoclassical, that style refers to architecture
that borrows from Greek and Roman Classical architecture, its elements, and
appearance. And, Neo-Gothic Architecture borrows from the conventions of
medieval Gothic design.
·
Identify
and describe earlier examples of the style(s) with which your building(s) align.
o
Example:
Many important governmental buildings, like those at the U.S. Capital, follow
the layout classical Roman structures, like the domed ceiling of the Roman
Pantheon. You should describe the connections between earlier examples and your
chosen building.
·
Discuss
materials and construction methods to the extent that the information is
available. You may be able to determine, for example, if the building has
masonry, wood, or steel structural elements just by looking. Other structural
elements may not be visible. If you are able to enter the building, you may
discover exposed structural elements (beams, vaults, columns, etc.). Identify
and discuss how these relate to the construction methods we’ve learned about in
the course textbook and videos.
·
Discuss
the building(s) location and describe why its site or positioning within the
city might be important.
Analysis
·
Describe
the building through visual analysis. Discuss its appearance and aesthetic
characteristics. If helpful, watch my Visual Analysis video on Brightspace.
·
Analyze
how the building(s) visually compare to historical styles. Provide your own
observations about the building and connect/compare those observations to other
historical examples from your textbook.
·
Analyze
how the architectural style has been adapted over time. For example, Roman
architectural principles have been reused and remixed across time and location.
How does your building adhere to, adapt, transform or mimic an earlier style?
Assessment
·
Describe
and discuss, from your own perspective, the importance of the building to its
occupants and its community.
·
Describe
how it contributes to the architectural character of the city.
·
Discuss,
based on what you’ve learned in the course, why the architects might have
selected the materials, design, layout, and style of the building. Discuss
whether you agree with their choices. (For example: discussing your opinions about
the addition of a modern steel and glass structure to a historic Gothic church.)
Things to keep in
mind
·
Identify,
Discuss, Analyze
·
Use
appropriate terminology and define the terms you use, if helpful for
readability.
·
Include
images that illustrate your narrative and description of the building(s).
·
Some
buildings will have more historical information available than others. When not
much is known on the history of the Scranton building, your paper may focus
more heavily on an exploration of its style and historic buildings of that
style and how they compare to each other.
·
Visit
as many times as needed.
·
You
may or may not be able to enter the building. It might be helpful to call/email
ahead of your visit to ask if the public are allowed to enter and if there are
any restrictions. For example, you will likely not be permitted to enter the
Scranton Cultural Center or private office building, but buildings like the
Everhart Museum and structures are campus can most likely be entered. It is not
absolutely essential to enter the building, since you can perform a visual
analysis of the exterior, but it is something to consider in advance.
·
Take
lots of photos and include some in your paper. Include captions that either identify
you as the photographer or cite the source of the photo. Use the photos to
illustrate your discussion of the building and its style(s).
·
Always
capitalize the names of architects, styles, and buildings.
https://www-jstor-org.ezp.scranton.edu/stable/988301?seq=1
https://www-jstor-org.ezp.scranton.edu/stable/988429?seq=11
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=o0D8DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA303&dq=french+gothic+architecture+Musee+de+Cluny&ots=7DwLHEY7um&sig=FrwDCAoRJZQfmNfiPWe8Otxxch0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Outline So Far
Architecture Analysis: The Albright Memorial Library
Introduction
The Albright Memorial Library, a government-owned landmark
building, encompasses the French Gothic style. The Albright Memorial Library is
at 500 Vine Street, which marks the intersection of Vine Street and North Washington
Avenue. This building was originally constructed from 1891 until its opening in
June 1893. Green and Wicks of Buffalo, NY are the architects of this library
and the landscaping on the exterior was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. I
selected this building because I was interested in the comparison of this structure
to the medieval Cluny Museum in Paris. The Albright Memorial Library is
designed after and shares French Gothic style and elements with the Musee de Cluny
in Paris.
Background Information
Provide historical
information about the building(s) and architect(s), when available.
· Architects: Green & Wicks of Buffalo
· Landscape architect: Frederick Law Olmstead-
the father of American landscape architecture. He is known for his famous projects such as the Central Park, Prospect Park in
Brooklyn, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, and the grounds of the United States
Capitol in Washington, D.C. Olmsted’s vision of landscape architecture
emphasized the creation of open spaces that were accessible to all people,
regardless of social class. Olmsted’s legacy continues to influence urban
planning and landscape architecture today, with his principles of design and
stewardship of public spaces.
Discuss, when knowable, the commission of the building.
Who commissioned its construction?
· John Joseph Albright, a resident of Scranton,
gifted this public library in honor of his parents
Joseph and Elizabeth Albright.
Describe the building’s original function and purpose.
·
The
original and current function of this building is a public library to provide the
community with access to books, computers.
If the function and purpose have changed over time, please explain those
changes. How has the building been adapted or modernized?
·
Do you notice any modern additions to the building(s) because of the changes in
its use?
·
A
modern Addition to this structure was an elevator
Synthesis
Identify and describe of
the style(s) of the building(s). Describe the architectural characteristics of the
style based on your research.
· French gothic
Where (region, country, and/or culture) and when did the style originate?
· French gothic style originated from Europe
Identify and describe
earlier examples of the style(s) with which your building(s) align.
· Musee de Cluny
Discuss materials and
construction methods to the extent that the information is available. You may
be able to determine, for example, if the building has masonry, wood, or steel
structural elements just by looking. Other structural elements may not be
visible. If you are able to enter the building, you may discover exposed
structural elements (beams, vaults, columns, etc.). Identify and discuss how
these relate to the construction methods we’ve learned about in the course textbook
and videos.
Discuss the building(s)
location and describe why its site or positioning within the city might be important.
Analysis
Describe the building
through visual analysis. Discuss its appearance and aesthetic
characteristics. If
helpful, watch my Visual Analysis video on Brightspace.
Analyze how the
building(s) visually compare to historical styles. Provide your own
observations about the building and connect/compare those
observations to other historical examples from your textbook.
Assessment
Describe and discuss,
from your own perspective, the importance of the building to its occupants and
its community.
Describe how it
contributes to the architectural character of the city.
Discuss, based on what
you’ve learned in the course, why the architects might have selected the materials,
design, layout, and style of the building. Discuss whether you agree with their
choices.
(For example: discussing
your opinions about the addition of a modern steel and glass structure to a
historic Gothic church.)
