Masonry Magazine May 1981 Page. 13
"Brickwork In Italy" Gets Enthusiastic
Response from Architecture Schools
The sight of Italy's architectural wonders such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the aqueducts inspires awe in almost everyone. A more careful inspection of them with the guidance of expert commentary can also yield valuable technical information on the uses of masonry in Italy that can be applied to the buildings of the twentieth century.
The aesthetic as well as structural achievements of early Italian architecture are being presented to architectural students throughout the U.S. and Canada in the comprehensive slide presentation "Brickwork in Italy." This educational project is a result of the teamwork of the International Masonry Institute the market promotion arm of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen and the Mason Contractors Association of America and Professor Ambrose Richardson, FAIA, former dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame.
Consisting of more than 500 slides tracing Italian building achievements through 15 centuries, the project has been extremely well received, proving to be a highly effective promotion vehicle for the masonry industry.
Color photographs of masonry buildings in Italy are used to demonstrate the development of structural elements such as the arch and the vault. Illustrations are also included; for example, diagrams of the special hollow tiles used in the flooring, walls and ceilings of the Roman baths depict the ingenious heating system of these public facilities.
Many local/regional masonry promotion groups throughout the U.S. and Canada have purchased the sets and personally presented them as gifts to nearby accredited schools of architecture, whose responses have been extremely enthusiastic. In addition to praising the comprehensiveness and high quality of the set, faculty and deans also appreciate its flexibility. Professor Richardson's 80-page narrative analysis and commentary, plus the slides, are cross-indexed to facilitate use in a variety of lectures.
The chairman of the Department of Architecture at Arizona State University, for example, reports that the presentation is being used in courses in beginning construction, built environment and architectural history as well as in studio design classes.
An associate dean of architecture at Cornell University said the "format will allow us to use this material throughout the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. It will have applications in areas as varied as history and contemporary design."
By presenting technical information in an attractive and interesting format. "Brickwork in Italy" constitutes a useful promotional vehical helping future architects become more aware of the structural and design capabilities of masonry. According to John Harbold, executive director of the Empire State Masonry Institute, who personally presented "Brickwork in Italy" to four different schools:
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MASONRY MAY, 1981 13
About Brickwork
In Italy's Author
PROF. RICHARDSON
Ambrose M. Richardson, FAIA, is currently a professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, teaching advanced design. He served as chairman of that department from 1972-78. He also was a professor of graduate design in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois and founded the architectural firm of Richardson, Severns, Scheeler & Associates of Champaign, Ill.
In professional activities, Professor Richardson has served as regional director for Illinois of the American Institute of Architects, and is a past president of the Illinois Society of Architects, Indiana Society of Architects, and the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
"Brickwork in Italy" was developed by Professor Richardson while he was teaching in the University of Notre Dame Rome Program of Studies during the 1979-80 academic year.
Educators at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art & Planning inspect slides from "Brickwork In Italy" presented to them by the Empire State Masonry Institute. Pictured (from left) are: Margaret Webster, slide curator; John Harbold, executive director. Empire State Masonry Institute: Jack Babbage, business agent. Bricklayers Local #17. Ithaca, N.Y.: Claude Graves, business agent. Bricklayers Local #11. Rochester, N.Y.; Ilan Stewart, associate dean; Robert Strope, president, Strope-Newton Construction Co., Inc., Endicott, N.Y., and Jason Seley, dean.