Tower (1045-1140 AD) and Apse dating from the late C14th
San Zeno Maggiore is a remarkable example of the Romanesque style of architecture. It originates in the C5th and was rebuilt in the C9th as a the church of a Benedictine monastry (of which the tower remains). It was later re-constructed in the early C11th and completed in the C13th and C14th centuries.
Detail to west portal executed by Maestro Nicolo and his pupil Guglielmo around 1135
San Zeno Maggiore is a remarkable example of the Romanesque style of architecture. It originates in the C5th and was rebuilt in the C9th as a the church of a Benedictine monastry (of which the tower remains). It was later re-constructed in the early C11th and completed in the C13th and C14th centuries.
Metal is a material which has been used in every aspect of architecture - from providing waterproof covering to holding the doors onto the frame.
Even though it is largely the Georgians and Victorians which initiated the apotheosis of the use of metal in buildings, it has been used for structural and decorative purposes for thousands of years. It is known , for example, that the Roman Pantheon had a bronze roof.
For decoration there is nothing like metal to bring detail into relief (see the photo of a door at Selby Abbey above)
Key moments in the use of metal as a structural form relate to its first use to construct a bridge at Ironbridge in Shropshire by Abraham Darby in 1779 and the building of the Crystal Palace by Joseph Paxton in 1851
To see a comprehensive set of images showing the use of metal in architecture see here
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In line with my recent post on the material WOOD. Check out my Timber Framed Buildings set on flickr.
Timber framed buildings are one of the most articulate and honest expressions of architecture, especially in the UK.
Wood in all its forms, sizes and shapes is a remarkably versatile material often used to trim, decorate elaborate and support the architectural form.
I've seen many examples of timber outlasting stone. On some of the timber framed buildings of Lavenham the wooden frame is often seen settling into the decaying stone foundations.
Medieval timber framed buildings are the precursor to our modern office blocks where the structure is supported by a frame and the infil to the frame is non-structural. It is held together by tension rather than compression.
I find wood quite difficult to photograph as it is often dark and set against a lighter background, so I up the stops on the camera and give it a little more exposure than the meter suggests.
Check out my WOOD SET on flickr - you'll not be disappointed!
