The Three Generations of Construction

Therefore, according to the work the constructions may be classified as it follows:

The Construction of the First Generation

The constructions of the first generation – comprise a great variety of architectural objectives, beginning with the first stable settlements appeared in Jericho in Jordan, continuing with the megalithic constructions from Bretagne (approximately 3000 BC), with the great pyramids of Egypt, with the Great Chinese Wall form Ancient China, with the “ziggurats” of Mesopotamia, with the palaces of Babylon and of ancient Persia, with the Hindu temples of India, with the pagodas and imperial palaces of China and Japan, with the monuments and temples of pre-Columbian, Maya and Inca civilizations and culminating with the monumental temples of Ancient Greece.

Cheops, Kefren, Mykerinos Pyramids of Giseh – Egypt, 2680 – 2560 BC Pont du Gard Aqueduct – France – 25 BC

Athens Temple – Nike, Athens – 420 BC

In the same generation are included the Dacian strongholds, constructions of whose vestiges prove the superior development on all fields of the Getae-Dacian civilization, including the field of constructions.

The use of the configuration of the terrain, the technique of reinforcement by constructing massive walls of stone according to an original technologic method denominated “murus dacicus” and the construction of strong defense towers in strategic points, confirms the constructive genius of the Getae-Dacian people.

For instance, the massive defense walls “murus-dacicus” were made of two walls of stone blocks, “tied up” together with hardwood logs (girders) and having the space between the two walls filled with hammered clay. By the method of processing of the ends, the wooden girders assured the stability of walls against lateral pushing given by the filling of clay and stone between them, as well as the co-operation between these.

The large thickness of these walls (1.5 – 3.5 m), the characteristics of the used materials and the working technique assured their efficiency in protecting the Dacian strongholds and their durability in time.

Murus Dacicus (Latin for Dacian Wall) is a construction method for defensive walls and fortifications developed in ancient Dacia sometime before the Roman conquest. It is a mix between traditional construction methods particular to Dacian builders and methods imported from Greek and Roman architecture and masonry, and – although somewhat similar construction techniques were used before, during and long after the period – it has peculiarities that make it unique.

Murus Dacicus consisted of two outer walls made out of stone blocks carved in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped; apparently no mortar was used, thus making them examples of ashlar masonry – but typically done with regular sized, bigger-than-average blocks, due to technological requirements. After each layer of the outer walls was completed, the gap between them would be filled with gravel and rocks cemented together with clay and compacted (cf. also rammed earth technique). The structure was strengthened and consolidated at the level of each layer by horizontal, singed/scorched wood tie beams connected to the outer walls by means of a dovetail joint at the upper surface of the stone block (hence the need for big stone blocks of the same size). Due to its higher flexibility, this structure had a distinct advantage over the ‘classical’, solid dry stone wall (as seen, e. g., in the cyclopean and ashlar walls in Mycenae): a higher capability of shock absorption and dissipation of kinetic energy from an incoming projectile thrown by a siege weapon. However, archaeological and historical evidence suggests that the wall might have been topped by a wooden palisade instead of stone battlements, which had the obvious disadvantage of being vulnerable to fire.

A properly built Dacian Wall would be both labor intensive and time consuming. A typical wall for the late period, hastily built in the short years between the two Dacian Wars (when Dacia had to rebuild, repair, enlarge or reinforce the defences of many of its key fortesses), would be about 3–4 meters thick and 10 m tall, an outstanding achievement in the given conditions.

The Construction of the Second Generation

– the constructions of the second generation – comprise the constructions made on one hand by using (besides the natural traditional materials: stone, wood, clay) some artificially created construction materials, with superior characteristics (brick, concrete, etc.) and on the other hand constructions made with new constructive techniques, based on a true science of construction mechanics, on the discovery of some methods and constructive systems that allowed a large diversification of the types of constructions and of the architectural styles.

It is considered that, the second generation of constructions is born along with the antique Roman civilization, a civilization to which is attributed a number of reference accomplishments, such as:

• the use of artificial construction materials (brick masonry, “concrete” and Roman cement obtained of cove and volcanic ashes);
• the use of new structural elements ( arches, canopies, wooden farms, etc.);
• the rise of the height and opening of constructions by using the above mentioned materials and structures;
• the large diversification of the functionality of the constructions;
• paying an increased attention to architectural composition, to interior comfort and aesthetics of constructions.

The diversity of the constructions from the second generation is explained also by the variety of architectural trends developed in different geographic areas and in different periods of the evolution of society.

Therefore, in this generation are included the Byzantine monumental constructions (churches, military constructions, palaces etc.), that introduced a new architectonic element – domes on pendants (domes with large openings, rested on massive masonry arches, respectively on canopies constituted of concave spherical triangles, Arabian and Ottoman constructions (mosques, palaces, etc), gothic and Romanic constructions (cathedrals, churches, basilicas, palaces, fortifications, etc.), Slavonic constructions (cathedrals, churches, palaces, etc.), Renaissance constructions (based on the use of some construction mechanics knowledge), baroque and classicism constructions using elements of renascent influence (curved line, respectively the severe classic line), are also aligned according to in the category of the constructions from the second generation.

Notice the fact that the great variety of characteristics of the constructions from the second generation refers not only to technology, to the constructive system, to function and general architectural plastic but also to the details and forms of the nonstructural elements of the constructions.

Therefore, elements such as the shapes of the embrasures in the walls (doors and windows), the shape of the columns, of the arches, canopies, decorative elements, etc. are suggestive.

For exemplification, in the figure 1.7 are presented some forms of the portals or windows that are characteristic to some architectonic trends from those mentioned above.

The original architecture of Middle Ages Romania (a period situated in the second generation of constructions) was influenced by the architectural trends of occidental Europe and of the Orient and created valuable constructions, in which the architectural composition methods that were take over were combined with local traditional elements and with own execution technologies.

In this way, the strongholds, monasteries, churches, mansion houses, palaces, countryseats etc. are testimonies of the artistry of constructors – Romanian architects and engineers from past centuries.

The Construction of the Third Generation

The constructions of the third generation– are the results of scientific and technical advances in general and of the technique and art of building in particular, advances which appeared at the beginning of the 19^th century, being characterized by:

• the use of new materials with improved features, which were produced by the construction industry (cements, reinforced and prestressed concrete, quality steels, aluminum, glass, ceramic and plastic materials etc.)

• the introduction of new procedures, by using advanced technologies based on typification, precasting, modulation etc.

• the use of new structural systems- frames, suspended roofs, thin curved surfaces, geodesic domes, hard core structures etc.

These elements had allowed a change in the concept of shape and size of buildings (a change which had been imposed by the need to increase the size of buildings as a result of a growth in population and a decrease in the space suitable for construction) by reducing the sections of structural elements, by using light materials that are both solid and durable, by eliminating heavy architectonic and ornamental elements and by obtaining an architectural appearance based on shape and color.

Figure 1.8.a presents an evolution of the heights of buildings from the times of Ancient Egypt to present days, and image 1.8.b presents a chart with the decrease in the true specific weight of the building tops on a square meter, according to the development.

Apart from the “building” constructions, a large number of constructions with various uses and purposes appear, depending on the lives and activities of people, on their needs.

These constructions (civic, industrial, agricultural, special, etc.) are not only different in functionality, but also in structure, shape, size, materials, location, color, building technology, and some details of construction are greatly, sometimes completely, different from those of early constructions.

Many famous architects and engineers, artists and scientists have participated in the realization of these constructions, revolutionizing the building technique. It is difficult to choose only a few of them, but some engineers, physicians and architects can be mentioned, such as: Newton, Hooke, Bernoulli, Navier, Euler, Juravski, Şuhov, Cremona, Eiffel, Leonhardt, Timoşenko, Freyssinet, Le Corbusier, Gropius, Maillart, Nerv, Perret, Frank Lloyd Wright, etc.

Alongside these there are some great Romanian creators worth mentioning, engineers and architects, who have either had or still have a great role in the scientific and artistic development of constructions, such as A. Saligny, Emil Prager, A. Beleş, C. Avram, M. Hangan, D. Pavel, R. Priscu, Şt. Bălan, P. Mazilu, D. Mateescu, V. Popescu, A. Caracostea, C. Lăzărescu, I. Mincu, D. Marcu, H. Creangă, G. M. Cantacuzino, O. Doicescu and many others, all of them standing for the past, present and the future of constructions in Romania.

If you liked this article, then please do share it on the Social Media. If you have a question or suggestion? Then you may leave a comment below to start the discussion.