Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (born c. 80–70 BC, died after c. 15 BC) was a Roman writer, architect and engineer
Vitruvius is famous for asserting in his book De architectura that a structure must exhibit the three qualities of firmitas, utilitas, venustas — that is, it must be strong or durable, useful, and beautiful. According to Vitruvius, architecture is an imitation of nature. As birds and bees built their nests, so humans constructed housing from natural materials, that gave them shelter against the elements.
When perfecting this art of building, the Ancient Greek invented the architectural orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. It gave them a sense of proportion, culminating in understanding the proportions of the greatest work of art: the human body. This led Vitruvius in defining his Vitruvian Man, as drawn later by Leonardo da Vinci: the human body inscribed in the circle and the square :
In modern architecture:What is firmitas in Modern Architecture?New material, structure to achieve Stronger and more Durable building, with wider span, Skyscrapers,
The Dubai Tower. But does it relate to 2012 ? if world ends there?2012 - First, a polar reversal will cause the north to become the south and the sun to rise in the west. Shattering earthquakes, massive tidal waves and simultaneous volcanic eruptions will follow. Nuclear reactors will melt, buildings will crumble, and a cloud of volcanic dust will block out the sun for 40 years. Only the prepared will survive. Does the tower will survive in 2012? Maybe it collapse after a year of its completion date.
Firmitas for 2012 refer to much stronger structure, that withstand earthquake, tidal waves. Does we prepared for it?
Utilitas: New functions, New habitat, Ecotecture, Sustainable design.
Floating whale hotel . Shaped like a beluga, a white whale.To relate to 2012. Can human live without earth? A floating habitat?
Utilitas : Utilitas for 2012 will be only 1 function : Survival of human being.
Venustas:Santiago Calatrava works best describe the term of venustas in modern architecture.
with natural proportion, organic design in his design.Relate to 2012: Any Architecture that survive after 2012 will surely the beautiest architecture.
