B. 27 Detached enclosures: Separate windows and doors.
I. 4 Symmetrical units:
II. 23 Rhythmic unit-groups.
a. 10 Odd number of units in group.
b. 11 Even number of units in group.
4 Support odd number of arches.
4 Although before separate windows make a continuous row
across the side of the building.
2 Three sections of railing. Odd number in ends, even in
centre section to emphasize symmetry.
1 No reason assignable.
c. Indefinite number in group. Iron bars in railings, and slender
pillars on façade.
C. 8 Do not end on the heaviest unit.
D. No cases of regular repetition of three units.
Having 100 illustrations of repetitions of groups, with units repeated
equidistantly between them, and of elements distinctly symmetrical,
several new factors came to light. In all the one thousand photographs
looked over, not a single instance was found of unit-groups with the
units within, arranged at other than equal distances. There were many
variations in the number of units in the groups; but the number being
given, the units were arranged at equal distances from each other
wherever the effect desired was of detached sections or of continued
series. There are obvious structural reasons for this. Any repetition
of groups for a balustrade or protective railing, which is the almost
exclusive use of this variety of repetition, would be weakened by wider
apertures on either side of the centre. A reasonably enclosed space
is necessary to make the railing of value, therefore the specifically
symmetrical unit as opposed to the rhythmic unit was found always
in carvings, scrolls, bas-reliefs, etc., alternating with vertical
supports. We should expect, then, in general, that in railings where
an aspect of continuity of progress along some border or a tendency
to go around an enclosure was sought, the units would be rhythmic
in character, impelling one to motion and to carrying the eye and
general organism out of repose into movement. We should expect, on
the contrary, that symmetrical units would be found where repose or
partial distinctness of the separate elements enclosed was desired, and
where the attention was not to be carried away in so marked a degree.
Seventy-three of the one hundred illustrations were of balustrades
where the rhythmic factor was presumably aimed at.
The Rathaus at Braunschweig had a symmetrical design alternately
occurring, but with four in a section, so that the section as a whole
was not symmetrical and the attention was driven on, and in the other
cases some other effect than rhythm was obviously aimed at. The genius
of the structures was heavy and massive and the balustrade made in
keeping with them, since an effect of motion or rhythm would have
clashed with the spirit of the whole.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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