Final model | The column house

The Column house was developed in different phases, starting from a small house on the left side, named House of the four pillars, spreading over the garden on the upper side and in the end the right side with the atrium and surrounded by the rooms, which can be identified very clear as public rooms of the house. The both sides of the Column house, separated by the Vestibulum / entrance room, show very differently typology so the existing conditions has been taken into account in the phase of spreading the house. It might be that some of the walls of the first house have been extended and connected with the second.

There was a double entrance with a large and small door entering the Vestibulum, which measured 15x4 m. It was visible from the street and had the function of exchanging or Sportuale between the patron and client every morning. It showed the status and power so it must have been very richly decorated. Columns created a monumental impression with their Corinthian capitals and Acanthus leaves. Also known as a waiting room and described as “place full of persons- empty of friends”. This part of the Column house was in the terraced topographic form- when you enter you enter the level under the street.

Atrium and Peristyle

Further we come to the Atrium and Peristyle with total surface of 90m2. It was the open center of the house and the place of the air and light. It was the central heart of the building for the short walks and talks, Atrium as a courtyard and Peristyle with columns surrounding the courtyard. In many of the houses columns are built in the Corinthian style, made of the limestone and were possibly decorated with yellow sandstone and stucco technique. In the Column house we have circle Atrium and surrounding Peristyle with 14 columns with Corinthian capitals. It is the place where people had their first impression of the house after Vestibulum and looked around so it’s decorated elegant with luxury vegetation and figures scenes on the specific viewpoint.

On the south side we have the Triclinium as the dining room and the most important room for the guest of cenatio / cena. It was also richly decorate. Also the floor mosaic must have been in the connection of the main interest / activity of the house owner. The technique of the mosaic was Opus Sectile, where materials were cut and laid into the walls and floors, making a pattern or picture. Beside the big Triclinium there is a Tablinum / office of the landlord and smaller Triclinium because it is accessible from the bigger Triclinium and after we have Tablinum, which has s logical position - landlord was surely inviting his guests into his office after the dinner. It is also closer to the entrance where we have the Fauces / shops symmetrical on the left and right side of the Vestibulum.

View from the Atrium to the Triclinium

On the west side of atrium by the main entrance there is a Portero, room where the workers of the landlord expected the guests or just some kind of a guarding place. Up the Portero we find the Cocina, which has two entrances on the north and south side- ability to fluently bring the food in both directions. On the east side we have Cubiculum / private rooms which are all kind of the same size, smallest and oriented into atrium.

To the other unite in the northern part of the house we enter through the Assembly room, It lays symmetrically over the small Atrium, which is perfectly situated and a bit hidden for more private talks and accommodation for the various recreational and social activities.

In the northern part there is a small Triclinium and Tablinum, since its more private part of the landlord. On the both sides we have new rooms called Exedra / celebrity hall. These were a bit larger, elegant rooms located off the garden, with a formal functions and lavish dinner events. Exedra on the left side opens to Huerto. It is an interior garden and covered by packed earth.

View from the small Atrium to the assembly room and to Exedra

Technique which was used in the Column house is Opus Incertum. It is the earliest technique which consists of the different stones available in the area, gathered from all around. Stones were put randomly, filled with “concrete” between and so they formed a solid construction. The first evidence of this technique are dating from the 3. Century BC in Pompeii. The technique developed in the time of the population growth of the Republic and therefore a need for the prefabricated production of the components and standardization. There are no many information about the mosaics or decoration of the house, but we can say for sure that the mainly decorated rooms were Vestibulum, Atrium and Triclinium- rooms where invited guests enjoyed their views and wealthy spirit around the house. Technique of the mosaics is called Opus Sectile, where the materials were cut into pieces and laid into walls or floor to make a pattern. It was connected to the main interests of the landlord or his profession.

View from the Atrium to the Cubiculum

View from the entrance through the Vestibulum

MATERIALS AND FURTHER 2D PROPOSAL

After the first proposal of the ground floor functions and first thoughts about the roof composition, we want to make proposal for the height and sections.

But first we just want to include our little research about the materials and construction used in the time of the roman empire.

MATERIALS

The construction of the romans can be identified as roman concrete construction in which we find three methods:

• OPUS INCERTUM
• OPUS RETICULATUM
• OPUS TESTACEUM
  
  
  
  Opus incertum
  
  
  As we see from the pictures technique which was used in the Column house is Opus Incertum. It is the earliest technique which consists of the different stones available in the area, gathered from all around. Stones were put randomly, filled with “concrete” between and so they formed a solid construction. The first evidence of this technique are dating from the 3. Century BC in Pompeii. The technique developed in the time of the population growth of the Republic and therefore a need for the prefabricated production of the components and standardisation. This was somehow a “industrialisation” and it made easier for the growing cities and population of new era of the Roman Empire.
  
  
  
  Construction techniques of the Roman empire
  
  
  The use of fine stones was primarily used in the houses or as a “coating”. The most common materials used in the Empire were Tufa- which is a variety of limestone and was very easy to cut, so it was mainly used for the interiors, Travertine is also type of a limestone which was very unusable near the fire and in the end Granite which we assume it was a material used as a “coating” for the most of the parts in the Column house- it is the most sustainable and hard of all the stones mentioned.
  
  
  
  Column and Corinthian capital
  
  
  Here we can see clearly the “coating method” in which we assume it is travertine- it has white, creamy colour.
  
  
  
  Corinthian capital
  
  
  The corinthian capital with granite “coating” with typical mineral grained structure.
  
  
  THE HEIGHTS
  The further investigation is a proportional comparison of the columns with corinthian capital and our seccion proposal based on the height and roof analysis.
  
  
  
  Analysing the heights by the Vestibulum entrance
  
  
  
  Proportions for the Vestibulum entrance columns
  
  
  
  
  
  Roof and level analysis
  
  
  
  
  
  Map of sections
  
  
  
  
  
  Section A-A through the southern part, Atrium and northern part
  
  
  
  
  
  Section B-B through Vestibulum and shops
  
  
  
  
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• Starting with simple 3D Model of the Column house
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   3D Model from another perspective
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Column house proposal

In the last month we were mainly focused on the research of the Column house based on the literature of  M. Carucci- The Romano-African Domus and R. Rebuffat- Maisons a peristyle d Afrique.

1. Evolution of the Column house

Based on the literature and plans we assume that the Column house was developed in different phases, starting from a small house on the left side, named House of the four pillars, spreading over the garden on the upper side and in the end the right side with the atrium and surrounded by  the rooms, which can be identified very clear as public rooms of the house. The both sides of the Column house, separated by the Vestibulum/ entrance room, show very differently typology so the existing conditions has been taken into account in the phase of spreading the house. It might be that some of the walls of the first house have been extended and connected with the second. Maybe it had something to do with the property of the owner and he constructed his home by his ability or by extending his business as the small left part becomes more business oriented.

A: house of the four pillars, B: hortus, C: house of the columnas

2. Functions in the Column house

We wrote last time about most of the functions, but we are changing some of them now based on the new information. There are a lot of small rooms, so we have only our assumption based on the literature works. The main interest lays in the functional aspects of the main domus- the House of Columns and taking in the account the House of the four pillars only to see how far they correspond.

Plan of the house

We found out that there was a double entrance with a large and small door entering the Vestibulum(1), which measured 15x4 m. It was visible from the street and had the function of exchanging or Sportuale between the patron and client every morning. It showed the status and power so it must have been very richly decorated. Unfortunately very little is known about the decoration of the house. Columns created a monumental impression with their Corinthian capitals and acanthus leaves. Also known as a waiting room and described as “ place full of persons- empty of friends”. We can say for sure that this part of the Column house was in the terraced topographic form- when you enter you enter the level under the street.

Further we come to the Atrium and Peristyle(2) with total surface of 90m2. It was the open center of the house and the place of the air and light. It was the central heart of the building for the short walks and talks, Atrium as a courtyard and Peristyle with columns surrounding the courtyard. In many of the houses columns are build in the Corinthian style, made of the limestone and were possibly decorated with yellow sandstone and stucco technique.Some reviews show that in African- Romano houses Atrium was roofed space with central opening- like Impluvatium with the roof designed to assemble water in the middle. In the Column house we have circle Atrium and surrounding Peristyle with 14 columns with Corinthian capitals. It is the place where people had their first impression of the house after Vestibulum and looked around so it must have been decorated elegant with luxury vegetation and figures scenes on the specific viewpoint.

On the south side we kept the Triclinium (3) as the dining room and the most important room for the guest of cenatio/ cena, the biggest and richest meal eaten in the Roman empire. It was also richly decorated but again we do not have any information about the decoration. Also the floor mosaic must have been in the connection of the main interest/ activity of the house owner. The technique of the mosaic was Opus Sectile, where materials were cut and laid into the walls and floors, making a pattern or picture. We changed our assumption of the rooms nearby- number (4) we think should be Tablinum/ office of the landlord and number (5) smaller Triclinium. It makes sense, because last time we were writing about the information of the smaller, second Triclinium which is accessible from the bigger Triclinium and we added the Tablinum, which is also logic- landlord was surely inviting his guests into his office after the dinner. It is also more closer to the entrance where we find the Fauces/ Tabernae/ shops (6) symmetrical on the left and right side of the Vestibulum.

1:Vestibulum | 2:Atrium and Peristyle | 3:Triclinium | 4:Tablinum | 5:Triclinium | 6:Fauces, Tabernae | 7:Portero | 8:Cocina  | 9:Cubiculum | 10:Assembly room | 11:Atrium | 12:Exedra

On the west side of atrium we changed functions from the assembly rooms to two new functions- number (7) by the main entrance should be some kind of a Portero, room where the workers of the landlord expected the guests or just some kind of a guarding place. Up the Portero we find the Cocina (8), which has two entrances on the north and south side- ability to fluently bring the food in both directions. On the east side we also changed from assembly rooms to Cubiculum/ private rooms(9) which are all kind of the same size, smallest and oriented into atrium. 

To the other unite in the northern part of the house we enter through the Assembly room (10), which we  previously located on the both sides of the Atrium and Peristyle. It lays symmetrically over the small Atrium (11), which is perfectly situated and a bit hidden for more private talks and accommodation for the various recreational and social activities. Assembly rooms in a domus should be multi-functional and they were for sure decorated very richly. 

In the northern part we assume there should be again a small Triclinium (3) and Tablinum (4) , since it might be a more private part of the landlord. On the both sides we find new rooms called Exedra/ celebrity hall (12). These were a bit larger, elegant rooms located off the garden, with a formal functions and lavish dinner events. Exedra on the left side opens to Huerto, which we also extended from the last time over much bigger area. It is an interior garden and might had vegetable produce with lover level and covered by packed earth.

Plan for the house privacy

3. Levels and heights of the Column house

Plan of the roof

Plan of the levels

Plan of the texture

Conferencia: Christian Fernández y Iglesia de San Gil ++ La Vida Cotidiana en la Tardoantiguedad

IGLESIA DE SAN GIL

I want to make short report about our conferences in the last month. First we had a conference with Christian Fernandez, who recently graduated in the ETSAG. He was representing us his thesis about the Iglesia de San Gil, which was built in the 16th century in Plaza Nueva and than demolished 3 centuries later. The building measured about 41x 10 m which is actually pretty big if you can imagine 1/3 or even more of Plaza Nueva being covered by the construction.

Plaza nueva and Iglesia

The armor deserves special mention in Mudejar ornamental style with a octagonal base and particular structure, with five panel veneered structure which is a self supporting element.

The church was demolished in the 19th century- during the revolution in October of 1869. It was in the willing of the province of Granada due to lack of the housing, which now can be found between the Carrer Alta and Calle Elvira.

The entrance to the church

Some of the sculptures and carvings can be found in the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada in Alhambra .

Felipe Gomez de Valencia: Lamentacion sobre Cristo muerto

After the demolition the seat was fixed in the church of Santa Ana, also the furnishing and works of interest.

It was also interesting to see the approach of the work of Christian. It is important to collect data, study the neighborhood and of course find the documentation from as much literature and graphics as possible. I liked his approach with 3D analysing of the structure, from the big scale into small parts, like " opening the box". 

LA VIDA COTIDIANA EN LA TARDOANTIGUEDAD

In the second phase we learned a bit more about the Roman history. We know there has always been epochs and Roman Empire had three of them:
1. Monarchy
2. Republic- "Rome as the new centre of the world"
3. Empire

Quotes:
" Habitar es lo propio de la especie humana" 
" Habitar es dejar huellas" , which means that inhabit is a proper thing of every human being. Every human being leaves its traces in the surrounding and is conditioned by the history.

MILESTONES:orientation
NODES:sum of milestones
ROUTE:connection between the nodes

OPEN/PUBLIC SPACE:
- Latrines= private character
- Tabernae= places where people with less economic prominence take their food/ can be found in the houses of the wealthy people and with storage rooms.
- Schola= public spaces where education took place
- Lupanar= private scholas or brothels, next to tabernae and square
- Vestibulum= visible entrance of the house, richly decorated with ornaments to show the wealth of the house, with symbolic statues

TIME:
In Roman empire the day time was counted in 12 hours and night time was divides into 4 vigils. They used solar clock in the public spaces to serve the people all the day. Some solar watches are still kept in the cities of Pompei, Merida, Segobriga.

A Roman feast by Roberto Bompiani

Comparative between Roman houses in Volubilis + an external Roman house in Pompeii

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE ROMAN HOUSE DOMUS:

We started to analyse Column house some weeks ago and decided to choose two houses of Volubilis- randomly we have chosen Venus and Hercules. To this two houses we also wanted to compare a house which is not in Volubilis, but shows features  of the Roman house- the Surgent house in ancient Roman Empire in Italy.

Location of the houses

ANALYSING THE TYPOLOGY OF THE HOUSES:

After analysing house of the Columns we can see clearly the divisions of the room- it is not that difficult to go further into the house and see how it is functioning for itself, where is it opening to the other space and to see the difference between public and private. In the first schema we analysed the typology and size of the rooms, so after it can be easier to say what we suppose this room could have been.

The column house

Venus house

Hercules house

ASSUMPTION OF FUNCTIONS OF THE HOUSES:

After gathering proportions of the house we can go step further with schema which is showing functions that have probably been in the house.

1- Vestibulum/ 2- Atrium and Peristyle/ 3- Hortus/ 4- Triclinium/ 5- Assembly rooms/ 6- Tablinum/ 7- Fauces/ 8- Private rooms-Cubiculum

In the column house we come directly into the main entrance with vestibulum, on the left and right with the fauces(or shops) and then it opens to the atrium with peristyle. On the left and right side we find the assebmly rooms, in front the tablinum(or the office of the house owner) and on the other side the triclinium( or the kitchen). Besides the office there is a small atrium and then on the left side we suppose it has all been a private part of the family, the cubiculum. So we devide the house on the right side which is very open- it starts with the shops and to the other side where is the office. Besides on the left others can not enter and is for the family, very private. Not many decorations has been found in the column house, so maybe the owner of the house was not that rich, or his house was handling only small business.

1- Vestibulum/ 2- Atrium and Peristyle/ 3- Hortus/ 4- Triclinium/ 5- Assembly rooms/ 8- Private rooms-Cubiculum/ 9- Termas

The other house is Venus which shows us other side of the houses in Volubilis. It is showing bigger open spaces, than the column house, so maybe it had a more business going on. We also enter through the Vestibulum, to the atrium and further to the triclinium/ kitchen. This proportions and movement in the house are showing the same as a Roman domus in the  Roman empire in Italy. On the right side there is a small atrium further and garden and we supposes it is somehow meant for the cubiculum rooms which are private. On the right side of the atrium are assembly rooms which are including into the thermas, which can be entered through the atrium and assembly rooms. On the left side we suppose again there are private cubiculum rooms. This house is not showing us any signs of the shops, but it was for sure mixed of private and public.

1- Vestibulum/ 2- Atrium and Peristyle/ 4- Triclinium/ 5- Assembly rooms/ 7- Fauces/ 9- Termas

The last house of Volubilis is Hercules. It is somehow not showing the private parts that we could determine. It has again a bigger proportions of the public spaces than the column house. The entrance or vestibulum is on the left side, with three small separated entrances that join in the atrium. Atrium is surrounded by the triclinium and assembly rooms. The last two functions that we supposed were there, are the shops at the bottom with their own entrances and on the upper side the thermas with their own entrance so they should also be public. Other parts of the Hercules were difficult to analyse because they are not showing any connections between them and they surely can not be seen as a private rooms just put between the public ones.

The Surgeon's House:
Part of our research as well we decided to study an external Roman house which it's not from the list of the houses we have this year, it's the Surgeon's House in Pompeii.
The House of the Surgeon is situated in the north-west corner of Pompeii overlooking the Bay of Naples in southern Italy. Its frontage faces the main coast road, known in modern times as the Via Consolare, which enters the city through the Porto Ercolano, north of the house.
The owner of the House was a doctor named Eutyches, and this explains why the house has this name. 

Pompeii and a close-up of Insula VI

1- Vestibulum/ 2- Atrium and Peristyle/ 3- Hortus/ 4- Triclinium/ 7- Fauces/ 8- Private rooms-Cubiculum

The need to get people in their own homes, with the passage of time meant that the models of “domino” house they develop accordingto a model that divided the private house by the public area. And the houses of prestige built in later times assumed this character, modeled on the houses of the Hellenistic type. So you went to the Hortus as turning into a garden of pure aesthetic purpose, surrounded himself with a colonnade, and this is organized around the private rooms of the house, from cubiculum, the bedrooms and the triclinium, the important room for officers meals.