Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 158]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

150 the student a good knowledge of drawing as actually practiced, so as to make him of real assistance to a practicing architect, since he must usually enter the profession as a simple draughtsman, gradually becoming a designer, afterwards commencing practice for himself, as he finds opportunity. HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE.—Various text-books have been used, but found unsatisfactory, and instruction has been given for some years by means of blue print lectures, with daily recitations. Students are also required to make five different plates of tracings of architectural ornaments and details per term, for the purpose of familiarizing them with the most important and characteristic forms, for acquiring a better command of the hand and pen, than is possible in any other way, now so useful in finishing etched perspectives and sketches, and as a means of inculcating the necessity for each student to commence for himself the collection of a series of architectural ideas and motives, absolutely essential to every successful designer. These tracings are retained by the University as specimens of the work of the student, forming a part of his record, but each student can obtain blue-print copies of any tracings at a small cost. This collection of tracings now numbers about 300 sheets, 8x10, containing thousands of figures. This study requires two terms, the first ending with the Mohammedan style, the second being devoted to later styles. Each style is considered in reference to preceding and succeeding styles, the natural conditions influencing its development,- effect of political changes, nature of building materials, results of racetendencies and preferences, and of national customs; in fact, the gradual evolution of architecture is studied in a manner similar to that employed by the student of evolution in nature, though the former is largely the work of man, instead of that of a Divine Being. Special emphasis has been laid on tracing primitive form-ideas* through their successive modifications by succeeding races, to determine the origin of modern forms. Descriptions of the more important examples of each style are required, to afford a ready mean& of comparing the relative values of different styles. Suggestions are made relative to the adoption of ancient ideas in modern buildings. These lectures are not yet quite completed, but it is hoped to accomplish this during the present year. ESTHETICS OF ARCHITECTURE.—This study treats of the Beautifying of Architectural Forms and Structures, so as to render them most pleasing to a cultivated eye, and forms the essential basis for the principal characteristic, which distinguishes architecture from engineering, wherein a simple and economical solution of any structural problem is the end to be attained, without any attempt torender this form as pleasing as possible. Good and simple construction is also found in all good architecture, but with the added condition that the structure must be satisfactorily decorated. Hence, this study is the foundation of all good architectural designing, and is of paramount importance.