BP 9: Word, Sentence, and Phrase

What are the implications of colonial expansion on architecture and design?. I believe that one of the implications of colonial expansion was the need of new buildings since the population was increasing. This may also be the reason architects built big buildings such as palaces and chapels. Another implication of architectural expansion was wealth. For instance, one of the ways people like kings and queens showed their power was through how big and beautiful the buildings were. One of the reason there are different time periods of architecture is because architects would always try to make an old building better and that has been continue to present day.

One building that I think represents colonial expansion to the USA is the Basilica of the Shrine of the Assumption in Baltimore, USA.

In this basilica we can clearly see more than three elements from different time periods coming together. All the elements that are present in this basilica create a new type of building even though we have seen them in the past. If the building is broken apart according to the different elements that compose it, there are exactly 5 elements: the columns, a porch, the cross shaped building, the two columns on top, and the dome. Looking at a building where there are elements form different time periods that clearly shows that architecture from different periods is being used today which is colonial expansion.

From the USA I would say that skyscrapers are buildings that represent colonial expansion elsewhere. At one point the USA had the tallest building in the world but after the terrorist attack of 9/11, the USA no longer holds that title. Even though the US no longer has the tallest building, the idea of tall buildings expanded around the world. Today we see tall buildings like the Burj Khalifa and I believe part of this idea of showing power through tall buildings came from the USA.

Now, how does "language" fit into the Basilica of the Shrine of the Assumption and Burj Khalifa?
The analysis consists of three parts: the word, sentence, and phrase. For the basilica I think that the word is represented by the front porch. The sentence can be illustrated by the cross shape building and the dome, which can point out where the priest would be standing. Overall, the phrase of the building is the porch and dome coming together to show direction and equality when people enter through the main porch and see the dome.
For the Burj Khalifa the word would most likely be represented by the different levels of the building, The building starts with a thick base and reduces its thickness as it goes up. The sentence would be the levels of the structure coming together to balance the structure and make it tall as possible. The Phrase is basically the vertical view of the building. Looking at the building from far away shows how important and powerful it seem to the other smaller buildings around it.