Lesson Plan
Course Title: Architectural Drafting I
Session Title: Roman Architecture
Lesson Duration: 90 minutes
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to propose how to design a
building featuring Roman architectural elements.
Specific Objectives:
·
·
·
·
·
Outline the social/political/religious elements affecting the period.
Recognize key terminology of Roman architecture.
Identify famous Roman buildings.
Isolate architectural elements that are associated with the style.
Apply Roman architectural elements in a contemporary situation.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
·
·
·
130.47 (a)(b)
complete general requirements and demonstrate knowledge and skills specific to those
needed to enter a career in architecture and construction;
130.47 (c)
demonstrate knowledge and skills of advanced architectural design principles;
130.47 (10)(a)(b)(c)
demonstrate knowledge in comparing/contrasting different architectural styles, describing
general characteristics of architecture from a variety of cultures and in
comparing/contrasting career and vocational opportunities.
Interdisciplinary Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
110.31 (a)(1)
· demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, researching, listening, speaking and oral/written
conventions
110.31 (b)(1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
· demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary, technical academic English derived from Latin/Greek
roots, determining denotative/connotative meanings of words, analogies, understanding of
frequently used foreign words and use of an electronic or printed dictionary, glossary or
thesaurus.
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113.33(c)(20)(C) …identify examples of art, music, and literature that transcend the cultures in
which they were created and convey universal themes…
113.33(c)(22)(B) …summarize the fundamental ideas and institutions of Western civilization
that originated in Greece and Rome…
Instructor/Trainer
References:
1. Trachtenberg, M. and Hyman, I. (1986). Architecture: From prehistory to postmodernism. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
2. Cambridge School Classics Project
3. LIVIUS
4. Creative Commons
5. FreeStockPhotos.com
6. bigfoto.com
7. VRoma – A Virtual Community for Teaching and Learning Classics
8. Bible History Online
Instructional Aids:
1. Roman Architecture PowerPoint Presentation
2. Roman Architecture PowerPoint Presentation – Slides
3. Roman Architecture PowerPoint Presentation – Handouts
4. Roman Architecture PowerPoint Presentation – Notes Pages
5. Roman Architecture Role Play Handout
6. Roman Architecture Activity Handout
7. Roman Architecture Activity Rubric
8. Roman Architecture Vocabulary Exam
9. Roman Architecture Vocabulary Exam Key
10. Roman Architecture Recognition Exam PowerPoint Presentation
11. Roman Architecture Recognition Exam
12. Roman Architecture Recognition Exam Key
Materials Needed:
None
Equipment Needed:
None
Learner:
None
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Introduction
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
•
•
•
•
•
ASK: Has anyone have heard the expression “fit for a Roman god”?
ASK: (Of those you responded affirmatively) Could one of you describe what that phrase
means to the rest of the class?
ASK: What if you had a client who asked you to design a building that was “fit for a Roman
god”?
ASK: Would you know what architectural elements that might include?
SAY: During our time together today, we will learn architectural elements from the Roman
civilization and see how they can be incorporated into contemporary architecture.
Outline
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
I. Outline the social, political, and religious elements affecting
the period.
•
Roman Society
· Family
· Class structure
· Patronage system
· Roman attire
· Feasting Customs
· Entertainment
•
Politics
•
Religion
II. Isolate elements associated with Roman architecture.
•
Building materials
•
Facing
•
Building aims
•
Structured components
III. Identify famous Roman buildings.
IV. Recognize key terms from Roman architecture.
Instructor Notes:
PPT Slides 1-10
PPT Slides11 – 13
PPT Slides 14 - 30
PPT Slide 31
Application
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
1. Conduct an architect/client role play (Design Me a Building fit for Roman gods) to
demonstrate the principles covered in the lesson.
2. Handout role-play to participants
3. Ask students to follow along using the checklist as a guide and to take notes.
4. Tell students that they will conduct group project similar to the role play.
5. At the end of the role play:
•
Ask students if they have any questions.
•
See if they have any suggestions for how the architecture firm could have done a better
job in their presentation.
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Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students work in groups to make a client presentation as to how they would approach designing
a building that would be fit for a Roman god, applying the information introduced in the class.
1. Distribute Roman Architecture Activity Handout.
2. Distribute Roman Architecture Activity Rubric.
3. Give students time to read the handout and rubric.
4. Answer any questions they have.
5. Divide class into groups of 5-10 students.
6. Make sure groups are ready to pitch their concepts after 20 minutes.
Summary
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Have each group pitch their concept. Have the rest of the class critique the presentation.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Monitor student progress during independent practice and provide independent re-teach/redirection as needed.
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Use Roman Architecture Recognition Exam, PowerPoint Presentation, and Exam Key. Use
Roman Architecture Vocabulary Exam and Exam Key.
Extension
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Groups which showed exceptional demonstration of the lesson learned visit an architecture firm
with the instructor during a lunch period or on a scheduled field trip.
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Roman Architecture Group Project
Task: Make a presentation on how to design a building with Roman architectural elements.
Directions: Students accept one of the roles identified below and as a group create a
presentation to pitch to a potential client.
Student Roles
Building Materials
Expert
Tasks
• Identifies potential building materials to use.
• Gives examples of Roman buildings that incorporated those
materials.
Architectural Factors
Expert
• Identifies key factors contributing to Roman architecture.
• Gives examples of Roman buildings that best exemplify those
factors.
Structural Components
Expert
• Identifies structural components of Roman architecture.
• Give examples of Roman buildings that incorporates those
components.
Application Engineer
application.
• Select building materials to use in contemporary
• Select architectural factors to emphasize in new building.
• Select structural components to incorporate in design.
• Select example Roman buildings to convey ideas for new
design.
All
• Make presentation to client
Instructor Role
Customer
Tasks
• Make request for presentation
• Listen to presentation
Deadline: Groups will make presentation within 20 minutes of commencement of project.
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Roman Architecture Group Project Rubric
Evaluation Criteria
Points Available
Building Materials
Architectural Factors
Structural Components
Application
TOTAL
Points
Earned
Comments
25
25
25
25
100
Point Conversion Scale
90– 100=
80 – 89 =
70 – 79 =
60 – 69 =
Below 60
A
B
C
D
F
Group Members
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Roman Architecture Role Play – Design Me a Building fit for Roman Gods.
Directions: Participants in class will assume roles in this fictionalized account of a client
requesting the services of an architecture firm to design an office building fit for Roman Gods.
The teacher will serve as the lead architect, supported by junior members of the firm. A member
of the class will serve as Charlie Client. The rest of the class will serve as colleagues of Charlie
Client.
Participant Roles:
Linda Lead Architect: Linda receives a phone call from Charlie Client asking if her firm would
be interested in developing a proposal to design a new office building with Roman architectural
elements. Linda acknowledges her interest and background and suggests that Charlie come in
for a face-to-face meeting where she and her team can give him some ideas. Linda meets with
her team to develop a plan for the meeting.
Architect Team: The team identifies possible architectural elements to include as well as
example Roman buildings that depict those elements, and develops a high level presentation.
Charlie Client: Charlie Client and his colleagues come in from the meeting. Charlie is quite the
Roman architecture history buff. So, he brings in a list of buildings and architectural elements he
thinks might be suitable for the new building. Unbeknownst to Linda, the architect firm that
makes the presentation identifying the most examples from Charlie’s list will win the contract.
Charlie’s List
Architectural Elements/Material
· Stone
· White marble
· Concrete
· Highly structured use of space
· Illusionism
· Extravagant appearances
· Facadism
· Arch
· Vault
Example Buildings
· Aqua Claudia
· Theater of Marcellus
· Colosseum
· Circus Maximum
· Forum Baths at Pompeii
· Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus
· Temple of Fortunia Virilius
· Temple of Venus and Rome
· Pantheon
· Basilica of Maxentius and
Constantine
· Forum at Pompeii
· Forum Romanum
· Forum Trajan
· Hadrian’s Villa
· Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Charlie’s Colleagues: Let’s see how many items from Charlie’s list that the team includes in
their presentation…
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Roman Architecture:
Building Recognition Exam
Student Name: ____________________________ Date: __________________
Directions: For each picture presented, select the name of the building. Place the identifying
letter of the building in the blank space provided. Note that each answer may be used only
once. You will receive fifteen (15) points for each correct response.
Item 1
A. Aqua Caludia
Item 2
B. Basilica of Maxentius and Constatine
Item 3
C. Circus Maximum
Item 4
D. Colosseum
Item 5
E. Forum at Pompeii
Item 6
F. Forum Baths at Pompeii
Item 7
G. Forum of Romanum
Item 8
H. Forum of Trajan
Item 9
I. Hadrian’s Villa
Item 10
J. Pantheon
Item 11
K. Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Item 12
L. Temple of Fortuna
Item 13
M. Temple of Jupiter
Item 14
N. Temple of Venus and Rome
Item 15
O. Theater of Marcellus
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Roman Architecture:
Building Recognition Exam
Answer Key
A
Item 1
A. Aqua Caludia
O
Item 2
B. Basilica of Maxentius and Constatine
D
Item 3
C. Circus Maximum
C
Item 4
D. Colosseum
E
Item 5
E. Forum at Pompeii
M
Item 6
F. Forum Baths at Pompeii
L
Item 7
G. Forum of Romanum
N
Item 8
H. Forum of Trajan
J
Item 9
I. Hadrian’s Villa
B
Item 10
J. Pantheon
E
Item 11
K. Pyramid of Caius Cestius
G
Item 12
L. Temple of Fortuna
H
Item 13
M. Temple of Jupiter
I
Item 14
N. Temple of Venus and Rome
K
Item 15
O. Theater of Marcellus
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Roman Architecture: Vocabulary Exam
Student Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________
Directions: For each vocabulary word presented, select the best definition. Place the identifying
letter of the definition in the blank space provided. Note that each answer may be used only
once. You will receive fifteen (15) points for each correct response.
____ 1. Abutment
____ 2. Arch
A. A curved load-bearing structure of
voussoirs, used to span an opening.
____ 3. Barrel vault
B. A hemispherical, or nearly hemispherical
roof formed of evenly curved vaults that
may rise from either a circular or polygonal
base
____ 4. Center
C. Center point of the arch
____ 5. Cross vault
D. Central stone of an arch or vault
____ 6. Crown
E. Flat slab member beneath the base of
a column, or the projecting base of any
building
____ 7. Dome
F. Formed by intersecting two barrel vaults
at right angles
____ 8. Facadism
G. Height of the arch’s opening
____ 9. Groin vault
H. Lowest voussoir on each side of an arch
____ 10. Haunch
I. Part of the arch’s wall which balances
the force of gravity the arch makes
J. Part of the arch’s wall experiencing the
most thrust
____ 11. Impost
K. Projecting flat stone ending a column
supporting the vault or arch
____ 12. Keystone
L. Semi-cylindrical in cross-section, made
up of a continuous row of arches joined to
one another
____ 13. Pier
M. Solid masonry support, usually fatter
than a column
N. Sometimes called a cross vault
____ 14. Plinth
O. Stones that make up the arch
____ 15. Rise
P. Surface appearances
____ 16. Span
Q. Top part of an arch
____ 17. Spandrel
R. Triangular space between the curves of
adjacent arches
____ 18. Springer
____ 19. Springing
____ 20. Voussoirs
S. Wall bracket to support arch
T. Width of the arch’s opening
UNT in Partnership with TEA. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.
Roman Architecture: Vocabulary Exam
Student Name: ____________________________
Date: __________________
Directions: For each vocabulary word presented, select the best definition. Place the identifying
letter of the definition in the blank space provided. Note that each answer may be used only
once. You will receive fifteen (15) points for each correct response.
__I_ 1. Abutment
__A_ 2. Arch
__L_ 3. Barrel vault
__C_ 4. Center
__F_ 5. Cross vault
__Q_ 6. Crown
_B__ 7. Dome
__P_ 8. Facadism
__N_ 9. Groin vault
__J_ 10. Haunch
__S_ 11. Impost
A. A curved load-bearing structure of
voussoirs, used to span an opening.
B. A hemispherical, or nearly hemispherical
roof formed of evenly curved vaults that
may rise from either a circular or polygonal
base
C. Center point of the arch
D. Central stone of an arch or vault
E. Flat slab member beneath the base of
a column, or the projecting base of any
building
F. Formed by intersecting two barrel vaults
at right angles
G. Height of the arch’s opening
H. Lowest voussoir on each side of an arch
I. Part of the arch’s wall which balances
the force of gravity the arch makes
J. Part of the arch’s wall experiencing the
most thrust
K. Projecting flat stone ending a column
supporting the vault or arch
__D_ 12. Keystone
L. Semi-cylindrical in cross-section, made
up of a continuous row of arches joined to
one another
_M__ 13. Pier
M. Solid masonry support, usually fatter
than a column
N. Sometimes called a cross vault
__E_ 14. Plinth
O. Stones that make up the arch
__G_ 15. Rise
P. Surface appearances
__T_ 16. Span
Q. Top part of an arch
__R_ 17. Spandrel
R. Triangular space between the curves of
adjacent arches
__K_ 18. Springer
__H_ 19. Springing
S. Wall bracket to support arch
T. Width of the arch’s opening
__O_ 20. Voussoirs
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