The Renaissance and today are to different eras. Because of this, should we expect to get different results from the work of Renaissance architects and modern architects? Yes. They might be similar but are not the same. There has to be a distinction between the two if we differ Renaissance architecture from modern architecture, otherwise it would be called the same thing. It should come to no surprise knowing that designers from then and designers from now work in different ways (though some work similarities may exist). There work space is most likely different, the people who helped them in their work (if any) are not the same, their schedule would not include the same things, what they must overcome physically, mentally, and emotionally are different, and the materials are not the same. The result is that there vision is not the same. There work is not the same. It may be similar, modern architects may even be influenced from Renaissance architecture but it is not the same. These distinguishes can be seen by observing Brunelleschi’s dome, Renaissance churches, skyscrapers, office buildings, museums, schools, bars, clubs, stadiums, arenas, even the homes in which people live in. The look of the work is clearly not the same. Renaissance stadiums vs. modern stadiums. The function can be the same or it can be different. Churches or hotels. Can we clearly say which architects are superior to the other? At what cost did the architect sacrifice to get their results? Which work can withstand time and nature? Renaissance designers balanced form and function of design with greater equity than today’s designers which focuses too greatly on either form or function.
What does form mean? When we look at architecture we are observing the work: the work as a whole, the image it portrays, paying attention to the detail, patterns, colors, design. The form of the work.
“The architects of the Modernist movement, just like all their predecessors, wanted their houses to speak. Not only of the nineteenth century… Or of the Middle Ages or Ancient Rome. “(De Botton)
Renaissance architects such as Filippo Brunelleschi gave their work great detail. Take Brunelleschi’s dome. He had to design an enormous dome not attempted before and overcome many barriers. It looked as it was physically impossible to assemble. What support would be needed to keep the dome from not collapsing and how would it be made? The dome had to be constructed with new methods and utilize the limited materials as best as possible. Others made it hard for him to accomplish his goal. His rivals such as Lorenzo Ghiberti who also helped with the dome did not like that he was the one who was getting mostly paid for work they believed they too could accomplish. Time and money were huge obstacles he dealt with. The masons in charge did not give him an unlimited amount to spend so Brunelleschi had to be careful on how he spent it. He had to wait for the materials to arrive, find the workers needed and have them work the hours allowed. He also had to design side jobs to overcome any physical barriers. It should be no surprise it took him around 16 years to finish his dome. In the end, all that had to be overcome was worth the result. Not only did it allow those from Florence, Italy to admire but the rest of the world as well.
“ …There is indeed something miraculous about the sight of the dome, regardless of where it is viewed from, whether close up or far away” ( King, 167).
Modern form is different that Renaissance form. The standards on how to construct the form are different. Current architects visualize a different picture. The biggest difference between both forms is that the look of the work is nothing to what form was in past ages. Take for instance the current tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101 located in Taipei, Taiwan. It measures 1670.60 ft from the floor to all the way at the top of the antenna with 101 floors. Nothing like it existed during the Renaissance era. Architects use less and less trusses made out of wood. When it comes to buildings, steel is used far more than (if at all) than wood. Steel is greatly being used for its force that of which exceeds wood, marble, or concrete. It is one of the new materials of modern architecture. Glass was used during the Renaissance era like it is today. It was also used to not only to help maintain the structure but to show an image the designer was trying to portray. They were not reinforced with plastic and used to cover a building in the way it does with skyscrapers today. Aside from public buildings such as offices, schools, medusas, etc. another structure that has changed as time has passed is the way houses are made. People are able to make their homes custom and express through it what they want. It is no longer limited to a box like frame with only wood, concrete or drywall to work with. Aluminum is used to make wall, stainless steel is used for appliances, etc. There are hom