Gargoyles: An Architecture Walk Around City College

Learning Activities of user
Submitted by - Will • Submitted on  20 Oct 2008 09:10:21am • Go to video page
Gargoyles: An Architecture Walk Around City College
  • Questions:
    1. Why did Townsend Harris start City College?
    2. What does an architect do?
    3. Why might it be better to learn math through studying architecture than through using a textbook? Can you think of some specific types of math that you might have to use to design a building?
    4. What is a gargoyle?
    5. How does a gargoyle differ from a chimera?
    6. What does the word “grotesque” mean? Can you give an example of something that is grotesque besides a chimera?
    7. What do the City College grotesques have in common that makes them unique? (Hint: the answer relates to the fact that they are on a school!)
    Activities:
    1. Take a walk around your neighborhood (or when you take a trip to a city nearby). Look for architectural details on the buildings you see. Take pictures of them, or write about the ones you see. You can even keep a photo album or journal and share them with your classmates and family.
    2. Look up Gothic Architecture on line and/or in books. Describe what architectural details make a building Gothic. What buildings are most famous for their Gothic style?
    3. Try your hand at creating your own “grotesque: gargoyle or chimera! You can use paper mache, clay, or draw one.