O'Brien Carmel RES

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Carmel O¶BrienDr. Dietel-McLaughlin

FYC 133002 May 2011

³Our architecture reflects truly as a mirror.´-Lois Henri Sullivan

Architecture, the artistic and scientific designing and character of a structure, is a

form of art subjected to constant change. Throughout history, architecture has been

ultimately determined by its support, its functionality with its surroundings, and the

aesthetics (also know as the Vitruvian triad). Most styles can be seen in the periods of

Ancient Rome. From the sixth century Early Christian basilicas through the Renaissance

in 1420, Ancient Roman architecture remains to be the most fascinating and superior

forms of architectural research to this day.

Aside from the soundness, utility, and attractiveness, one of the most important

functions of architecture is the ability to relate the forms and styles of building to the

values and character of society at the time. Across the centuries of Ancient Rome,

architecture has been a significant reflection upon society. In fact, this relationship was a

crucial motivation in the architectural profession. Similarly, the structural design found

around the Notre Dame campus has proved to be equally reflective of the mission and

morals of the university. The question is: what is the architecture saying about Notre

Dame? What aspects of the University¶s character are being expressed through the

architecture on campus?

The quest for the answer brings one all the way back to beginning of the sixth

century Italy. The Early Christian period began with the fall of the Roman Empire in the

sixth century, when the pagan empire transformed to a Christian empire. Upon



Constantine¶s defeat of Maxentius (resulting in his reign over the West), he embraced the

Christian faith. Christianity began to spread across Europe. After the emancipation of the

Church by Constantine, countries such as Spain, Greece, Palestine, North Africa and

Yugoslavia, were being reshaped by Christianity. Due to this influx of religion, the

Christians needed gathering space. The introduction of the Basilica has been a

monumental milestone in the history of architecture. They consisted of a rectangular

courtyard, lined with porticoes (a lavish entrance to a building), successions of columns

carrying one¶s gaze to the sanctuary, a central aisle and an exterior made of brick. The

exteriors were mostly simple coupled with a lavishly decorated with marble and mosaics.

Also introduced, was the concept of the order. The order is a set of columns used

according to the function and significance of the building. The highest order was known

as the Composite. During the Early Christian period, Constantine insisted upon using the

Composite order solely on religious buildings. This symbolized Christ¶s reign. The

architecture of this time period can be seen as a symbol for the empire¶s devotion to

Christ and belief in Christianity.

From 950-1500 B.C. Europe was being shaped by Feudalism. In result, the

crusades, 1095-1270, created a movement rich with ideas and trade skills. The movement

is reflected in the architecture with the use of metalworkings, provision of arms, and the

homogeneity in building methods amongst different regions. This transformation is

known as the Romanesque and Gothic Periods. These two architectural styles are very

similar and are thus clumped together in the same time period. With the settling of

political turmoil, came a flourish in Romanesque building activity. Since many still

remembered the horror of invasions, windows were kept small. Although the walls were



plain, they began to stretch higher and higher. The height of these soaring walls required

thicker and thick columns at the bases complemented with supporting arches. I appeared

as though the columns turned into walls. In addition, ribbed vaults were constructed on

the ceilings (in order for them to rest safely on the walls), double-centered arches were

used in the nave, and a triforium gallery was built. A triforium gallery, in Romanesque

architecture, is a gallery built in the thick walls of cathedral or church lined with arches.

Similar to Romanesque architecture, the gothic style of architecture dominated

into Europe into the 15th

century. The origin of the Gothic form comes from a man by the

name Abbot Suger, Abbot of Saint-Denis, in 1141. Similar to Romanesque, Gothic

architecture featured walls reaching great heights. However, the goal of was to improve

the flaws in the Romanesque style (i.e. lack of light). The Gothic design involves

transition to pointed arches and ribbed vaulting. ³«they sensed these elements of design

might work together synergetically, each expanding the potential of the other, to create a

lighter and more visually transparent architecture´ (Roth 291). People could celebrate in

the vast scale and splendor of the buildings. The most recognizable characteristic of a

Gothic Cathedral is the replacement of thick cement walls with stained glass. This new

technique allowed for light to filter in and transform the experience. Also, the stained

glass became a structural representation of biblical

stories. The illiterate people of the time needed a way

to learn and understand the biblical stories in order to

practice their faith. The architects used this technique

to teach those less fortunate citizens. However, this

change required supplementary support, thus, the



and Islam, one can then apply this theory to modern day architecture. In this case, the

architecture under speculation is found on our very own campus at the University of

Notre Dame. The question that remains, however, is what it is saying about our mission

on campus. What does the architecture reflect about Notre Dame¶s mission and values?

Notre Dame is a very well known school set apart by its devotion to tradition.

This is seen through our alumni loyalty, from certain dorms (i.e. Sorin hall and their

Friday sweaters), our sports teams, and our rules. As Reverend Charles Carey says,

³Preserving this tradition, and this meaning of Irish at Notre Dame does honor to every

one of us´(Carey). However, when it comes to the architecture, I believe the University

is abandoning its traditional ways and is moving more towards futuristic designs.

School administrators, alumni, and even students may disagree with this

accusation. In their defense, the main building, with its famous Golden Dome*, dates

back to the year 1879, the same year the previous building was burnt down. It remains a

symbol for Notre Dame¶s past and present. Kiddy corner to the main building, one will

find Walsh Hall. Walsh Hall was constructed in 1909 and was ³considered a luxurious

residence hall at the time´ (Office of Res. Life). The old age of this dorm, along with

many others, is said to give the living spaces character accompanied by no air

conditioning.

Not only will they emphasize the establishment of the buildings located in ³God

Quad´, they will also stress the religious influence on the architecture. Notre Dame is

known for being a higher institute for Catholic learning. Therefore many people may

suggest that the architecture on campus is reflective of Catholic faith and our move

towards justice and human solidarity, as seen in the Sacred Heart Basilica. In addition, as



stated on the University¶s website, The mission of Notre Dame is, ³«to cultivate in its

students not only an appreciation for the great achievements of human beings, but also a

disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice, and oppression that burden the lives of so

many. The aim is to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good

that will bear fruit as learning becomes service to justice´ (University of Notre Dame).

The values of the University all revolve around the Catholic trinity: The father, the son

and the Holy Spirit. Notre Dame is a ³Catholic academic community of higher learning´

and the belief remains that the main influence for everything on campus is Jesus Christ

himself.

However when it comes to the developing architecture, this is not the case. Across

the campus, we are surrounded by evidence; the evidence lies within the buildings

themselves. The earliest move towards non-traditional building started with the

construction of the addition to the football stadium. The stadium was first built in 1930,

replacing the previous, Cartier Field. Famous Fighting Irish coach, Knute Rockne,

heavily influenced the design of the stadium. The stadium was known for its impeccable

view of ³Touch Down Jesus´, the mosaic mural on the side of Hesburgh Library. This

mural, named T he Word of Life is a depiction of Jesus raising his arms in peace to the

school. However, to students, Jesus is in a referee stance signaling a touch down.

However, in 1997, new seats were added on to the stadium in order to increase the

stadium¶s capacity to the present 80,795. This addition tragically obscured the view of

the Jesus mural when inside the stadium. Such a calamity spiraled the University into a

campus controversy along with student and alumni disappointment. Now, the athletic

department promotes this change in a historical University monument by stating, ³ Notre



Dame Stadium now qualifies as one of the most up to date, thanks to a major addition and

renovations that boosted its capacity to more than 80,000...´ (University of Notre Dame).

In addition to the legendary football stadium, the campus also is home to recently

designed dormitories. All someone has to do is take a stroll across West Quad (containing

Welsh Family, Keough, O¶Neil, McGlinn

and Duncan) to see this theory in action.

These new, air-conditioned dorms that

skyscrape across the quad, are the picture

perfect contrast to the established neo-

gothic style found in older areas of campus. The youngest of these West Quad dwellers in

Duncan Hall, built in 2007. It incorporates new and improved qualities not found in other

dorms on campus such as ³super rooms´ (meaning the rooms are larger then typical on

campus dorm rooms and house more students), a food service business and what is

considered a ³luxurious´ workout facility.

Lastly, the University is currently in the depths of yet another architectural debate.

On the Main Building, Sorin Hall, Walsh Hall, Washington Hall and many others, exist

the famous Notre Dame yellow bricks. These special bricks are unique because they

contain a certain mineral, marl, only found in the Notre Dame Lake. Amidst the

renovation of Brownson Hall (located directly behind the Main building), the architects

have commissioned the disposing of these traditional, scared bricks. They are eliminating

them in order to make way for bricks that are newer, more sustainable and more

aesthetically pleasing. This abandonment is yet another example of the separation from

University tradition.



So What? Some may question the importance of such an issue. In response, this

argument is very significant to the lives of the students that attend the university. It is a

student¶s right to know the motives behind the school they attend and to be aware of the

messages it is trying to send through the architecture. If Notre Dame continues to design

and reconstruct in this way, what will the University look like in the future. Most likely,

Dr. Erin Dietel-McGlaughlin¶s 12:30 FYC class will not be the only one in a futuristic,

technological classroom.

The relationship between architecture and society in Ancient Rome and Islam can

be applied to all time periods in history and every region of the world, ³Roman

Architectures«aesthetic principles and presumptions-communicated to posterity in part

through the remains themselves but at least equally through the importance [and] has

long shaped the architectural vision of the west´ (Anderson). Thus, the architecture on

campus, as influenced by past architecture, is a distinct reflection upon the University¶s

motivations and goals as well. It exposes the university¶s abandonment of their traditional

pretense and an advance to modern architecture and principles. Notre Dame is preparing

for the future and is starting to express that in the developing architecture of the campus.

*Fact: The amount of Gold used to cover the Dome is about the size of a baseball.



Works Cited

Anderson, James C. Roman Architecture and Society. 1st ed. Baltimore, Md: JohnsHopkins UP, 2002. Print.

Carey, Rev. Charles. "Notre Dame Traditions." N otre Dame Archives. University of Notre Dame. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://archives.nd.edu/ringel/trad.htm>.

Fletcher, Tom. "Islamic Architecture History." Islamic Architecture. Web. 15 Mar. 2011.<http://www.islamic-architecture.info/A-HIST.htm>.

"Mission Statement // About ND." University of N otre Dame. University of Notre Dame,

2007-2011. Web. 06 Mar. 2011. <http://nd.edu/aboutnd/mission-statement/>.Web.

Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning . 1st

ed. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1993. Print.

Stace, Arthur J. "The University of Notre Dame." Donahoe's Magazine. Jan. 1885. Web.5 Mar. 2011. <http://archives.nd.edu/research/texts/stace.htm>. Web.

Wall, D. R., T. F. Mathews, S. Edwards, and P. Murray. "History of Church

Architecture." Gale Virtual Reference Library (2003). Web. 1 Mar. 2011.

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