ANCIENT ARCHITECTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 7

ANCIENT ARCHITECTS

Knowledge A Roman Thought Necessary It is recognized that, modern conditions tire causing architecture to become increasingly a learned profession. Indeed, right through the ages, the fully qualified practitioners of this art have been obliged to fill their minds with a wide variety of knowledge. The necessary equipment for an architect in Rome nearly 2000 years ago was set out by Marcus Vitruvius in .10 books dedicated to the Emperor Augustus, the successor of Julius Caesa r. "An architect should be ingenious, and apt in the acquisition of knowledge,” wrote Vitruvius. "Deficient in either of those qualities, he cannot be a perfect master. He should be a good writer, a skilful draftsman, versed in geometry mid optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on tlie principles of natural and moral philosophy, somewhat of a musician, not ignorant of the sciences, both of law and of nhysic. nor of tlie motions, laws and relations to each other of the heavenly bodies. “By means of the first-named acquirement. he is to commit to writing his observations and experience, in order to assist his memory, Drawing is employed in representing the forms of his designs. Geometry affords much aid to the architect; to it he owes the use of the right line and the circle, rhe level and the square: whereby his delineations of buildings on plane surfaces are greatly facilitated. Z "The science of optics enables him to introduce with judgment the requisite quality of light, according to the aspect. "Unless acquainted with history he will be unable to account for the use of many ornaments which he may have occasion to introduce. . , Moral philosophy will teach the architect to be above meanness ixt his dealings, and to avoid arrogance; aud will make him just, compliant and faithful to his employer ; and what, is of highest importance, it will prevent avarice gaining an ascendancy over him: for he should not be occupied with the thoughts of filling his coffers, nor with the desire of grasping everything in the shape of gain, but, by the gravity of his manners aud a good character, should be careful to preserve his dignity. In these respects we see the advantage of moral philosophy.” ____