Rensselaer Professor of Architecture Awarded “Rome Prize” Fellowship
Computer-aided design and analysis enables architects to generate limitless options for consideration. But the history of innovation in architecture – hampered by the need for painstaking calculations – has provided few guidelines for judging the relative merit of that bounty.
“With modern-day computation we can do thousands of design iterations, but we don’t necessarily know how to evaluate them,” said Lonn Combs, a clinical associate professor of architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Combs is the winner of the 2011 Rome Prize, awarded by the American Academy in Rome , a recognition that includes a fellowship to explore the architectural resources of Italy, Europe, and the Academy. The Rome Prize is awarded annually to about 30 individuals who represent the highest standard of excellence in the arts and humanities.
As part of his fellowship, Combs will study the work of Pier Luigi Nervi, a 20th-century Italian architect famed for his innovative application of reinforced concrete as the principal building material in fluid, nearly organic structures. Combs is interested in how the work of Nervi and his contemporaries might have varied had they had access to modern computing tools, and what lessons contemporary architects can learn from their choices.
“The work in general tended toward a kind of mathematical and physical perfection, a universal truth, and I think what the computer allows is for a much broader range of imperfection being considered as possibly valid. It could be described like the story in architecture of symmetry versus asymmetry on some level, one being a representation of a universal truth and the other being symbolically cast aside as inadequate,” Combs said. “Once you have the ability to run through all of these options, one may be able to discover efficient options that would be better in certain applications.”
Rensselaer School of Architecture Dean Evan Douglis congratulated Combs on the award.
“Considering the impressive pool of architects throughout the U.S. that compete every year for the prestigious Rome Prize award, it’s really an extraordinary accomplishment on the part of Professor Combs.” said Douglis. “Obviously the jury, comprised of some of the most accomplished educators and practitioners in the discipline of architecture today, recognized Lonn’s innovative and authentic approach to design and the importance of supporting his career trajectory.
The History Of Rome - News
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If your pupils are keen to experience the prestigious history of Rome firsthand, a school trip to Italy could be the perfect educational break. Rome is Italy's capital and was once the heart of a huge classical empire. As your group travels through the
But the history of innovation in architecture – hampered by the need for painstaking calculations – has provided few guidelines for judging the relative merit of that bounty. “With modern-day computation we can do thousands of design iterations,
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Hidden History of Rome documentary about the life of ordinary Romans
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I thought it was too good to be true! As of 16th June, 2011 – the Hidden History of Rome documentary is no longer available . I’ve replaced it with the much shorter Pompeii graffiti & sex appeal video from the BBC history show ‘ Gladiators: The Brutal Truth ‘ – also presented by Terry Jones.
Ex-Monty Python Welshman Terry Jones is something of history buff and this short excerpt from the ‘Gladiators: The Brutal Truth’ documentary takes a look at the life of Rome’s legendary Gladiators. Being something of a history buff myself, I found it very interesting, so I thought others may too, which is why it is here.
There are some lovely shots of Pompeii , Italy’s mismanaged wonder of a ruin, too.
Happy viewing fellow history fans!
I'm absolutely addicted to The History of Rome podcasts. Many thanks to for the tip. Free on Audible or itunes.
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