ATBR2313 History of Western Architecture Assignment 1B

Assignment 1B :
Architecture Analysis Report

ATBR 2313 History of Western Architecture

Name : Hew Zi Yu
ID : 20WVD04852
Diploma in Architecture Year 1 Semester 3

Table of Content

Introduction …………………………………1 Comparison 4 ………………………..13
Building 1 : Maison Carree ………………....2 Comparison 5 ………………………..14
Building 2 : Ipoh Railway Station ………….6 Comparison 6 ………………………..15
Comparison 1 ……………………………...10 Conclusion …………………………..16
Comparison 2 ……………………………...11 References …………………………...17
Comparison 3 ……………………………...12

Introduction

In this assignment, I will be studying 2 buildings which are Maison Carree and Ipoh
Railway Station. Both of them have the strong application of classical architecture features
but are in different time periods and locations. Therefore, I will study critically and
compare the differences of the architectural ideas that are applied on both of the buildings.

1

Building 1 : Maison Carree

Location : Nimes, France
Architect : Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Year Constructed : 2 AD

This is an ancient Roman temple which was dedicated to Lucius and Gaius Caesar, adopted sons of
Augustus. It has an area of 25m by 12m and a height of 17m. This temple is designed as the exact style

of Tuscan Roman Temple hence it is identified as the classic example of Vitruvian architecture. There are
some significant characteristic of the Maison Carree which represents the Tuscan style temple such as it
has an axial orientation, a single cella, a deep porch, a frontal and it also sits on a podium of 2.85m.

The temple is executed in Corinthian order. The characteristic is noticeable on the columns and
entablature of the temple. For example, the columns are decorated with acanthus leaves and the
entablature is also decorated with egg-and-dart motif.

2

Orthographic Drawings Front elevation

Floor Plan Perspective View 3
Section

Photos of Maison Carree

Exterior view of Maison Carree Exterior view of Maison Carree in night time
Source: Wikipedia (2021) Source: Xavier de Jauréguiberry (2011)

4

Front facade of Maison Carree Close-up on the details of columns and
Source: Xavier de Jauréguiberry (2011) entablature
Source: Xavier de Jauréguiberry (2011)

5

Building 2 : Ipoh Railway Station

Location : Ipoh, Perak
Architect : Arthur Benison Hubback
Year Built : 1917

Ipoh Railway Station is the main terminal of Perak. It was initially built and used as a hospital before turning
into a station. The building is influenced by Neoclassical architecture as the station is decorated with
Neoclassical elements such as keystones, corinthian columns, half-globed domes and arches.

Besides that, the architect who is familiar with Anglo-Asian architecture also designed the railway station in
Neo-Moorish style which is the mixture of European function and Islamic form and Mughal style which is a
type of Indo-Islamic architecture developed by the Mughals. The most noticeable features are the segmental
pediments and the spherical domes. These characteristics are the reasons why Ipoh Railway Station is
recognised as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh.

6

Orthographic Drawings 7

Floor Plan
Front Elevation

Photos of Ipoh Railway Station

Exterior view of Ipoh Railway Station Main Coach Gateway

8

Secondary Coach Gateway Entrance for vehicle to pass through

9

Comparison 1 : Building Materials

Building 1 Building 2
Maison Carree is constructed using only one
material which is limestone. Limestone is The building materials of Ipoh Railway Station
commonly used because it is easy to cut, are London or Staffordshire stock brick and also
durable and weather resistant. some of the local clay bricks, hardwood,
reconstituted stone and concrete.
Limestone
Brick

Hardwood

Reconstituted
stone

Concrete 10

Comparison 2 : Space Planning

Building 1 Building 2

The space of Maison Carree is planned as an Ipoh Railway Station is constructed in a linear
axial orientation. orientation to provide better functionality to the
railway station as a transportation center.

11

Comparison 3 : Ambiance

Building 1 Building 2

Maison Carree has an ambiance of elegant, Ipoh Railway Station gives a powerful and yet
authentic and peaceful because of the colour elegant ambience. The massive structures give us
choice of the building, which is white that gives an impactful visual but at the same time we do
a calming effect to the people. not feel oppressive because the white painting of
the walls decreases the heaviness of the building.

12

Comparison 4 : Scale

Building 1 Building 2

Maison Carree is built at a large and grand scale Ipoh Railway Station is built at an imposing
to show the power and status as it is dedicated to scale to signify its status, power and prestige as
the emperor’s heirs. the main terminal and landmark of the Ipoh city.

13

Comparison 5 : Proportion

Building 1 Building 2

Maison Carree has the same proportion The coach gateway at the middle of the
throughout the building that gives a harmonious building has a bigger proportion while the
feeling. coach gateway at its either side is smaller in
order to create a sense of harmony in the
building.

14

Comparison 6 : Structures Building 2

Building 1 Ipoh Railway Station is not supported by any
Maison Carree is supported by free standing columns or frames but is only supported by load
columns and beams. bearing walls.

15

Conclusion

In conclusion, from the comparison that I have made in this assignment, I know that there
are many similar architecture ideas on both Maison Carree and Ipoh Railway Station
although they are from different time periods and locations. In my opinion, this happens
because the architects nowadays are still applying classical architecture elements on their
design as the classical architecture has created a foundation for us to develop our design.
Knowing classical conventions are able to help architects to better understand the
architectural language. Therefore, I think it is a great move for us to keep on mixing the
classical architecture with modern architecture for a better design.

16

References

1. Dr. Jeffrey Becker (2017), Maison Carree, viewed 20 March 2021,
<https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/roman/roman-republic/a/maison-caree2>

2. Sarah Nash (2021), Maison Carree, viewed 20 March 2021,
<https://archaeology-travel.com/france/maison-carree-nimes/>

3. Wikipedia (2021), Maison Carree, viewed 20 March 2021, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_Carr%C3%A9e>
4. Xavier de Jauréguiberry (2011), Maison Carree, Nimes, viewed 20 March 2021,

<https://www.flickr.com/photos/25831000@N08/5513490230/in/photostream/>
5. Nicolas Janberg (2021), Maison Carree, viewed 21 March 2021, <https://structurae.net/en/structures/maison-carree>
6. Syaza Yunos (2013), Building Typology Study, viewed 21 March 2021,

<https://issuu.com/syazayunos/docs/c_h2_report>
7. Wikipedia (2021), Ipoh Railway Station, viewed 21 march 2021,

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipoh_railway_station>
8. Sshown Chang (2016), Ipoh Railway Station, viewed 22 March 2021,

<https://www.behance.net/gallery/35080059/My-Beautiful-Hometown-Ipoh>
9. Pixers (2021), Wall Mural Drei Säulen, viewed 22 March 2021, <https://pixers.us/wall-murals/drei-saulen-34887795>
10. Rabah Saoud (2020), Architectural Encounters, viewed 22 March 2021,

<https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Temple-of-Fortuna-Virilis-Forum-Boarium-Rome-100-40-BCE_fig1_3417810
50>

17