MARCUS VITRUVIUS POLIO

• Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (c. 90 - c. 20 BCE), better

known simply as Vitruvius, was a Roman
military engineer and architect who wrote De
Architectura (On Architecture), a treatise which
combines the history of ancient architecture and
engineering with the author's personal experience and
advice on the subject.
• As no similar work has survived complete from antiquity,
the book has become an invaluable source, not only
on Greek and Roman architecture, but also on a wide
range of other topics such as philosophy ,mathematics,
and medicine.
 De Architectura

• De Architectura
• Much more than a book on buildings and machines,
the contents of De Architectura reveal the ancients'
much wider concept of what exactly is 'architecture'
and it describes such topics as science,
mathematics, geometry, astronomy, astrology,
medicine, meteorology, philosophy, and the
importance of the effects of architecture, both
aesthetic and practical, on the everyday life of
citizens.
 De Architectura is divided into 10 books:

• Book I - on an architect's ideal education, the principles

and divisions of architecture, fortifications, principles of
good town planning, and where best to build a temple.
• Book II - on the origins of buildings and the various
materials employed in their construction such as bricks,
sand, stone, and wood, and the various types of walls.
• Book III - on the mathematics and correct proportions of
columns and temples.
• Book IV - on the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian
architectural orders, and the various types of temples
and altars.
• Book V - on various Roman buildings such as the
basilica, the best design for theatres to obtain the best
acoustics, and advice on building harbours.
• Book VI - on the effect of climate on character and best
foundations and layouts for private homes.
• Book VII - on paving, vaults, and wall-paintings,
including the best colours and their origins and history of
use.
• Book VIII – is concerned with water, its sources and
conveyance via aqueducts.
• Book IX – on the study of astronomy and its relevance
to architectures and the measurement of time using
sundials and water-clocks.
• Book X – describes various machines and gadgets
such as distance measuring devices, water-driven
machines, and weapons like catapults, ballistae,
and siege engines.
• The Roman architect Vitruvius in his treatise on
architecture, De Architectura, asserted that there
were three principles of good architecture:
• Firmatis (Durability) - It should stand up robustly
and remain in good condition.
• Utilitas (Utility) - It should be useful and function
well for the people using it.
• Venustatis (Beauty) - It should delight people and
raise their spirits
• Firmitas (solidity/strength) is a building’s ability to
remain durable after extended use and exposure to
the natural elements.
• Over time, architects have been able to calculate
with greater levels of exactness the expected life
spans of their buildings.
• Certain materials have greater durability – as well as
the illusion of durabilities – such as marble,
concrete, and brick.
• One can also gauge the extent of Firmitas by
examining the age of a building.
• If a building has lasted several decades without
major renovations, it has proven itself to be a
reliable and credible structure.
 Vitruvius Architecture’s Utilitas
• Utilitas (usefulness) is a building’s ability to
appropriately predict and respond to the
needs of its intended inhabitants.
• Of course, you can gauge the importance of
usefulness by witnessing all the program
types buildings can acquire – hospital,
school, house, office.
• Each of these programs requires a unique
relationship to the site, as well as
specifically sized rooms and conditions.
 Vitruvius Architecture’s Venustas
• Venustas (beauty) is a building’s
relationship to its context’s standard of
aesthetics.
• This element can be made apparent in the
use of an attractive building or flooring
materials.
• Other aspects you can consider are — the
level of craftsmanship and the attention to
detail (how a wall meets a floor, for
example, has been a serious concern for
architects concerned with beauty).
THANK YOU