Sheridan College
Architectural Technology/Technician Program
FAST
"BUILDING WITH WORDS"
STUDY and DESCRIPTION of a SIGNIFICANT BUILDING
HIST12797 Assignment 4
Intent
The learning outcomes for HIST 12797 include the ability to recognize different
building types and styles, a familiarity with architectural terminology, the
ability to analyze and express ideals in written form. It is also my hope that, by
the end of these fourteen weeks, you will find yourself looking at the
architecture you encounter from day to day in a new light. Let us not forget
that architecture is the "art of making place for ritual" and can therefore
include public plazas, parks and private gardens.
Subject of the Assignment
For this assignment, take a building you already know or one you are
interested in. There may be some advantages to taking a building which you
can experience for the first time. We are creatures of habit and you might find
it more difficult to look at familiar territory in new light than to be examining a
new building from the perspective of what you have learned in this course.
In order to facilitate my evaluation of your assignment, the building must be
one within the GTA …or…be a building of significance that I may visit at some
point in my short life (Eg. The Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, Mississauga
City Hall).
Remember! You must physically visit the building over the coming few weeks-not a "virtual tour" on the internet, so don’t try to be too original. If more than
one student chooses the same building it is NOT a problem. Note, however,
that in this case it does NOT become a group project. You are being evaluated
© Sheridan College 2015
for your own work, and original observations (not the assessment of someone
describing the building on the internet). I have access to the same sites as you
do, and the penalty for architectural dishonesty is severe.
Create an image of the building using words!
Select your building. You are to visit your selected building, make careful
observations, and then describe the building to me in writing. Do it in some
systematic fashion. One approach might be to organize your description on the
basis of how a visitor would experience it — the approach, how it is sited, the
façade, the entrance, the main lobby, and so on. It should be possible for me
to visualize the building in my mind’s eye, based on your description. No
Images for this submission just your written description of the form and space
influenced by the 4 forces influencing architecture: Culture, Beauty, strength
and function.
In depth research!
Conduct an investigation of what the building is all about, through secondary
research (primary is "in the flesh"; secondary is "through various media such
as drawings, books, pictures, etc.) This research should allow you to find out
more about how the building is used, and how its use and design have evolved
over time. Try to make equations between the use/design/organization of your
chosen building and architecture you have studied during the course of this
term. Remember to describe the building using the 4 forces: Culture, Beauty,
strength and function. Remember, NO IMAGES should be included in your
submission!
Citation
Include the sources of information you used as shown by our library services
staff. Use APA format.
© Sheridan College 2015
Evaluation criteria and rubric:
1
2
3
4
5
Description
Cultural aspects that affected the form and shape of
the building (Culture)
Explanation: Bldgs’s Space planning (Function)
Explanation: Bldgs’s Architectural Style; Exterior
(beauty)
Explanation: Bldgs’s Architectural Style; Interior
(beauty)
Explanation of Construction Technique / Material
(strength)
Ex.
2.0
G
1.75
F
1.25
P
0.5
Weight
2
2.0
2.0
1.75
1.75
1.25
1.25
0.5
0.5
2
2
2.0
1.75
1.25
0.5
2
2.0
1.75
1.25
0.5
2
Total:
Marks
10
For best results:

Choose a building of architectural stature or of some age.
Without one of these two attributes it may be very difficult for
you to find written documentation on it.

This is an assignment in describing a building in words. NO
PHOTOGRAPHS are to be included, although one image on a
cover page would be acceptable. "Thumbnail" sketches MAY be
included. These may be useful to describe how a building is
organized, or massed.
Your prose should be to the point. Two pages should be adequate
for each assignment.
Provide a cover page with your name, group and course, the
name and address of your building.
Please do not bother with elaborate plastic or cardboard covers.
Your cover page should be standard bond paper bound to the
report with a corner staple.
 You will need to include 2 drawings, one of the interior of this
building and another of your exterior.
Provide a BIBLIOGRAPHY which indicates your sources for
information. These might be web pages, books, archival
drawings, etc.
Paraphrase information, DO NOT CUT AND PASTE from web
pages or copy text directly from books. A direct copy is
Plagiarism which is not acceptable at Sheridan College.
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END OF ASSIGNMENT
© Sheridan College 2015