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Architectural Theory: Vitruvius and the Classical Treatise · The Ten Books and the Vitruvian Triad

What Vitruvius's ten books on architecture contain, from firmness, commodity and delight to his advice on sites, materials, water and machines.

Architectural Theory · 28 questions

Try 3 questions

1. Vitruvius said every building should have firmitas, utilitas and venustas. What do these three terms mean?

  1. Strength, usefulness and beauty
  2. Order, symmetry and ornament
  3. Site, material and cost
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Answer: Strength, usefulness and beauty

The Vitruvian triad asks that a building be durable (firmitas), serve its purpose well (utilitas) and please the eye (venustas).

2. A hospital never leaks or cracks and has a striking facade, but its wards are confusing and hard to staff. Which Vitruvian quality is weakest?

  1. Utilitas
  2. Firmitas
  3. Venustas
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Answer: Utilitas

Utilitas is about how well the arrangement of spaces serves its use. Sound structure and a fine facade satisfy the other two qualities but not this one.

3. According to Vitruvius, firmitas is secured mainly by what?

  1. Foundations on solid ground and well-chosen materials
  2. Proportions derived from the human body
  3. Rooms arranged to suit their purpose
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Answer: Foundations on solid ground and well-chosen materials

Vitruvius ties durability to digging foundations down to firm ground and selecting materials carefully without stinting; proportion belongs to beauty and arrangement to utility.

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