The building of the Georgia State Capitol
Each state and every city in America are characterized by their remarkable sight, provoking certain associations. Talking about Georgia architecture, the building of the Georgia State Capitol may be chosen as the symbol of nationalism and reconstruction that inspired people several decades ago. Edbrooke and Burnham designed it on one of the city’s highest points at the end of the 19th century (Georgia State Capitol, n.d.). This construction is strong, with its specific architectural elements that prove the uniqueness of the place.
Since its creation, the chosen building has experienced little exterior alterations, strengthening its historical and architectural significance. The Georgia State Capitol is a perfect example of the Neo-Classical-Renaissance Revival style positioned on the five-acre property (Georgia State Capitol, n.d.). Even being far from the building, locals remember its importance because of the gold dome with a female statue on it, remaining a significant visual landmark. The figure is called the Goddess of Liberty or Miss Freedom, but regardless of the preferred name, she always protects its people and reminds them of the already made achievements. Being located in the business neighborhood, the Capitol seems to be a perfect match for the environment. The number and size of windows impress, but the building does not look fragile due to the used marble, bricks, pine, and iron. Although it is possible to reach the building from several sides, the main entrance deserves attention because of a magnificent four-story portico supported by six large columns. There are also two symmetrical wings on the right and left sides of the central rotunda. The building’s classic architectural lines are properly combined with the modern exterior.
Several architectural concepts strengthen the public’s understanding of the Georgia State Capitol. According to Martin and Jacobus (2019), architecture is the creative combination of centered and living spaces. Centered space is defined as the arrangement of things around the building, and living space is the feeling of the thing’s positioning within the environment (Martin & Jacobus, 2019). The purpose of space in architecture is to make invisible air visible and evoke participation (Martin & Jacobus, 2019). It is not enough to look at the building and admire the overall picture. It is more important to deal with feelings and learn the architects’ intentions to create something for years. The concept of space allows modern people to identify and feel the moment when society decided to use the area for a particular structure.
Centered and living spaces of the Georgia State Capitol contribute to people’s attitudes toward the building in several ways. First, approaching the Capitol, it is impossible to neglect the golden dome and notice a woman on it that symbolizes Atlanta’s road to its freedom and independence, which is a part of centered space. Together with its massive and strong construction, the architects added many large windows to underline the connection between the people and the government. Second, the landscape is properly arranged with local flora and several bronze statues of political figures. The Capitol seems to be a perfect place to visit and learn the history of the state, addressing the living space aspects.
My understanding of the Georgia State Capitol has been slightly changed with the possibility of applying the offered architectural concepts. Centered and living spaces explain why much attention is paid to the exterior and interior elements of the construction. For example, I learned that architects fill spaces with pressures to organize the environment and create a meaningful image. The presence of statues is not just the reason for pride or recognition but a chance to identify the connection between politics and society. Like columns, the figures are critical pillars of the building and the Atlanta population in general. It is wrong to divide the landscape and the Capitol because they represent the unity between generations.
The Sidney Lanier Bridge
There are many reasons for tourists to visit Georgia, and one of them is the Sidney Lanier Bridge that spans the Brunswick River. This construction impresses people with its size: 7,780-feet long, 486-feet tall, and about 200-feet above sea level (Roman, 2020). Those who have not seen this sight yet but have already managed to visit the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco could start developing their imaginations because these two constructions are frequently compared.
This cable-stayed construction connects the Golden Isles and the mainland town of Brunswick. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from one side of the bridge to another. At this moment, this construction is one of the longest and tallest in the state. On the one hand, there are no specific or noticeable elements, just reinforcing steel and concrete bricks from both sides of the road and flashlights in the middle. Nothing distracts the driver from the road, and passengers get a chance to enjoy the beauty of the water around. On the other hand, massive cables fortify the structure, and their placement makes the bridge looks unique within a particular environment. If a person observes the same piece from a new angle, there is an opportunity to find something new and memorable. The bridge was named for Sidney Lanier, a Georgian poet known for his “Marshes of Glynn” poem. This fact explains the annual February runs for citizens, which leads to its closing to traffic. The Sidney Lanier Bridge is not just a structure that unites the river’s banks but a place where history and architecture motivate ordinary people.
In architecture, several types of buildings exist, namely earth-rooted, sky-oriented, earth-dominating, and earth-resisting. Each structure has its characteristics that help disclose the environment and draw attention to sites, materials, and preferred gravity levels (Dabaieh et al., 2022). In this analysis, I want to pay attention to sky-oriented constructions. Martin and Jacobus (2019) explain them as a possibility to generate ideas and realize human possibilities in relation to nature. This type of architecture discloses a world from an exclusive perspective, where a horizon becomes a meaningful part that defies gravity and reveals a projection into the future (Martin & Jacobus, 2019). Although the sky-orientation of the bridge is predictable, the chosen work underlines the connection between humans (the construction itself), water (nature), and the sky.
The Sidney Lanier Bridge is a type of architecture that provokes a variety of feelings and attitudes toward the cooperation of a person with nature. Martin and Jacobus (2019) admit that sky-orientation proves “the generative activity of a world” (p. 144). There is a constant movement on the bridge, and it is hard to consider this construction as calm or empty, even for a moment. As long as people live in the city, there is always someone to act on the bridge. Society needs action, and the Sidney Lanier Bridge is the place where movement reaches its maximal extent: no stops and no breaks.
With the help of the course reading and close attention to the construction, I am able to improve my understanding of architecture and its importance for society. In addition to multiple buildings and landscapes, I can enjoy the power of a horizon that is hardly reachable by an ordinary person. I compare the bridge with a hope that should never disappear from human life. When I look at this construction, my mind goes far away with the desire to find out what may happen next.
References
Dabaieh, M., Maguid, D., & El-Mahdy, D. (2021). Circularity in the new gravity – Re-thinking vernacular architecture and circularity.Sustainability, 14(1). Web.
Georgia State Capitol. (n.d.). City of Atlanta, GA. Web.
Martin, F. D., & Jacobus, L. A. (2019). Humanities through arts (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Roman, M. (2020). The tallest, most impressive bridge in Georgia can be found in the Town of Brunswick. Only in Your State. Web.