Welcome to practical; grace.

Hello!

Welcome to Practical; Grace, my assigned blog for VAH 3388G: Histories of Architecture and Urbanism. The specific purpose of this blog is to examine, analyze and reflect upon the topic of: The Urban Form and its Role in Colonization.

The name of my blog is inspired by a quote I encountered in high school:

         “We require from buildings, as from men, two kinds of goodness: first, the doing their practical duty well: then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it; which last is itself another form of duty.”

                                                                         -John Ruskin (The Stones of Venice, 1880)

As a third year student in the Faculty of Science, I’ve had little opportunity to explore the world of art. I personally find the study of architecture especially interesting due to its practicality, beauty, and its place in everyday life.

Salisbury Cathedral
(Nina Malek-2009)

The first time I remember being really aware of the architecture of a building was on a trip to England. One rainy afternoon I had the opportunity to visit Salisbury Cathedral (or The Cathedral of Saint Mary).

I received a brief introduction to the cathedral before I had the opportunity to explore on my own. I learned that it was built in only 38 years and because of this the architectural style remained consistent throughout the building: Early English Gothic.

To me, the most appealing aspect of the Early English Gothic style is the introduction of the lancet (a pointed arch). The lancet allows for more efficient distribution of the weight above it while also boasting an elegant appearance. Through the use of the lancet, windows could become larger (though still narrow) and closer together.

Salisbury Cathedral is an exceptional example of the use of the lancet; despite the Cathedral’s massive size, its air of openness is truly awe-inspiring. Most impressively, despite its obvious grandeur, Salisbury Cathedral perfectly compliments the small town that surrounds it.

Above is a picture I took on my visit to the Cathedral, a place I hope to visit again in the future.