Milwaukee Public Museum
I had always assumed the first forms of architecture in North America had come over with the settlers from Europe. I discovered however, that the natives that lived here were not only skilled in the ways that they constructed their shelters but they had been doing so since 300 A.D. Before this trip to the museum I was able to name only two type of shelters that were constructed by the natives. I didn't even really consider those shelters types of architecture. After the trip however I was able to break down the different types of shelters into 9 distinct types. These would be the earth lodge, pueblo, pole and thatch, tipi, longhouse, wigwam, hogan, plank house, and igloo. (Walker) Within those 9 types there was different variations on each shelter based on the location.
The shelter that I focused on the most was the Long House. This structure had the beginnings of gabled roofed houses that we see today. The structure was made of logs and bark that were bound together by some form of lashing. I found this aspect of the shelter to be particularly interesting. The idea of creating a structure and not using any form of fasteners amazed me. It made me realize that the real strength of the shelter came from the design and the not the materials that were used to construct it. The natives were smart enough to realize that the load of the roof would be supported if the weight was distributed evenly over more vertical supports. They also gave some consideration as to how they would arrange the shingles. The natives also constructed the structure to allow for expansion as the size of the family grew. (Walker 30) The idea of community may have been what caught me off guard the most. I discovered that within one of these long houses as many as 40 families would live together. Even though there was animal skin dividers set up, there was almost no privacy.
I had always assumed the first forms of architecture in North America had come over with the settlers from Europe. I discovered however, that the natives that lived here were not only skilled in the ways that they constructed their shelters but they had been doing so since 300 A.D. Before this trip to the museum I was able to name only two type of shelters that were constructed by the natives. I didn't even really consider those shelters types of architecture. After the trip however I was able to break down the different types of shelters into 9 distinct types. These would be the earth lodge, pueblo, pole and thatch, tipi, longhouse, wigwam, hogan, plank house, and igloo. (Walker) Within those 9 types there was different variations on each shelter based on the location. 
The shelter that I focused on the most was the Long House. This structure had the beginnings of gabled roofed houses that we see today. The structure was made of logs and bark that were bound together by some form of lashing. I found this aspect of the shelter to be particularly interesting. The idea of creating a structure and not using any form of fasteners amazed me. It made me realize that the real strength of the shelter came from the design and the not the materials that were used to construct it. The natives were smart enough to realize that the load of the roof would be supported if the weight was distributed evenly over more vertical supports. They also gave some consideration as to how they would arrange the shingles. The natives also constructed the structure to allow for expansion as the size of the family grew. (Walker 30) The idea of community may have been what caught me off guard the most. I discovered that within one of these long houses as many as 40 families would live together. Even though there was animal skin dividers set up, there was almost no privacy. 
You bring up some really good points in your discussion. One: What is the difference between architecture and building? This is a debate that has been in existence for hundreds of years. The distinction between "architecture" as a high art and "building" as construction depends on what who you are and what you are looking at. I think that fifty years ago there were significant limitations on what was deemed acceptable in the realm of architecture, but I see that changing as we are moving toward a more comprehensive understanding of the built environment. Less distinctions between high and low art.
ReplyDeleteThe second thought that you address is Where and When do we classify something as American? This is something that I deal with in my elective about Built America. Many scholars originally wanted to limit the range of American by time stating that only once the country is formed in 1776 that can we truly begin to classify something as American architecture. But you also bring up a interesting point in terms of the transmigration of style across the ocean, and the idea that architecture was brought to this country from Europe. So if the designs come from Europe are they American at all?
These are challenging concepts that I hope we will begin to address through your work out in the field and through the research and analysis of these structures and their history.