Unit 2 –

Architecture: The
Colosseum
By: Sumin and Lamar
 Criterion A
Inquiring and Analyzing

1. Problem Statement + Research Plan

2. Research – research/analyze
existing building/architecture
3. Design Brief
Problem Statement

Your School is holding an architecture

exhibition for design week. You are asked
to choose a building/piece of architecture
from around the world and showcase the
architectural values of this building
 Lesson 1
Why was the
What is the
Colosseum built?
Colosseum?
The Colosseum, a massive ancient Amphitheatre in
Rome, stands as a symbol of the city's history and
01 02 answer

engineering prowess. Built for public entertainment, it

hosted gladiatorial battles, animal hunts, and more,
leaving a lasting mark on Roman culture. Today, it
attracts millions of visitors, drawing them to its grand
architecture and historical significance.

When was the colosseum

How was the built?
Colosseum built?
It used strong materials like travertine and concrete,
relied on arches and vaults, and took over a decade to
03 04 Built to impress, the Colosseum rose from Rome’s
ground in just 7-8 years (70-80 AD).
complete. Skilled workforce, possibly including
enslaved Jews, moved vast amounts of materials and
built tiered seating, a retractable roof, and even an
underground heating system.
Video providing extra insight on the
Colosseum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-
x74MFiWkg
 Who built the colosseum?
After the great fire of 64 AD, in which a substantial portion of the
city burned, Emperor Nero ordered the construction of a
magnificent palace for himself in the area that had been
devastated. Needless to say, the citizens of Rome were not
happy about this, so when Nero was overthrown and Emperor
Vespasian ascended to the throne, he had Nero’s palace
complex torn down and ordered that the Colosseum be built.
The Colosseum was started under Emperor Vespasian, but he
died before it was completed. Construction was finished under
his two sons, Emperors Titus and Domitian.
Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Location: (Where is it located?)

The Colosseum is in Rome, the capital of

Italy. More precisely, it is on the east bank
of the Tiber, the river that crosses the city,
east of the ancient Roman council.

More precisely the address of the

colosseum is Piazza del Colosseo, 1,
00184 Roma RM, Italy
Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Aesthetics: (Structure, shapes, form, colors, textures)

The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater, with a length of 189

meters, a width of 156 meters, and a height of approximately 50 meters.
It consists of four main stories. The ground level features a series of
arches supported by engaged columns, creating a strong and open base.
The lower three stories are built in Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.
However, the upper levels has a continuous series of arches, punctuated
by engaged columns and decorative Corinthian pilasters.

These arches serves as both structural and aesthetic purposes. It

supports the massive structure while providing a sense of grandeur and
openness. Below the arena, there is an intricate network of tunnels and
chambers known as the hypogeum. This area was used for staging
elaborate entrances of gladiators and wild animals.

The exterior walls of the Colosseum are primarily constructed using

travertine limestone, a type of sedimentary rock. The ancient stone
blocks that form the Colosseum's walls have been exposed to the
elements for nearly two millennia. This extended exposure has resulted
in a weathered, weather-beaten appearance, with parts of the stone
surface showing signs of erosion, chipping, and discoloration.
Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Construction: (Materials used and why?)

The colosseum was constructed using a combination of

concrete, tuff, travertine stones, bricks, and iron clamps.
Concrete, a pioneering Roman material, provided
strength and stability for the massive structure, Tuff and
travertine stones, easily accessible in the region, they
were also used for the exterior facade to enhance
aesthetics. Bricks were used for interior walls and
chambers due to their strength and ease of production.
Iron clamps reinforced the structure, contributing to
durability. The choice of materials was driven by
considerations of durability, availability, and the
engineering capabilities of the time, showcasing the
innovative construction techniques of ancient Rome.
Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Customer: (Who is mostly visiting the building?)
The majority of the people who visited the colosseum consisted of
Roman citizens at that time. It was accessible to all the Roman
classes (free men and slaves). The place of seating varied
depending on your social class (the most prestigious seats near the
arena reserved for the emperor, senators, and upper class (The
middle tiers were for ordinary citizens, and the highest and sun-
exposed seats were for women and the underprivileged). The
participants of the gladiator fights were also some of the people
who used the colosseum.

Noticeably, the colosseum was not only used by historic citizens

but also people in the present day. In today’s world, the colosseum
is known as one of the most popular places for tourist attraction.
The colosseum receives millions of visitors annually that have
diverse demographics and come from many different places around
the globe. Some of which include international travelers, families,
History buffs and archaeology enthusiasts, Students and
educational groups, and others.
 Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Function of the building: (What’s being offered? (Product /Services))
The colosseum was originally used for a large number of combats
between gladiators. Gladiators are men trained to fight against animals
and other men. There was also a theory that it had been used as a
martyrdom (death or suffering of martyr), but it is still uncertain.

During the medieval times, the colosseum had been used as a church.
Afterward it had been used as a fortress by two prominent Roman
families, the Frangipane, and the Annibaldi. The colosseum had
sustained large amounts of damage, like lightning, earthquakes, and
even more severely by vandalism and pollution. The decorative
materials like marble seats had disappeared and was treated like a pit
of resources for more than 1,000 years. Preservation for the colosseum
only started in the 19th century, with efforts led by Pius VIII, and
another restoration project in the 1990s. Now it has become one of
Rome’s busiest tourist attraction, receiving close to seven million
visitors annually.

In the colosseum now, you can visit the tunnels and the underground
called Hypogeum, as well as visiting all of the floors of the colosseum.
 Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Theme: (What is the inspiration for the building? What unique geometric shapes does
it have? Parabola, Hyperbola, etc.)
One of its primary structure that it followed was of earlier Roman amphitheaters, like Pompeii's,
with an elliptical arena surrounded by tiered seating, meaning it followed a circular format. This
ensured good sightlines for all spectators.

Another inspiration that the design structure of the colosseum consisted of was elements of Greek
and Etruscan architectural styles, like the use of arches, vaults, and columns.

Some other geometric shape that the architects incorporated, consisted of circles and segments
when it came to creating the columns and arranging them in a circular form to ensure a more
aesthetically appealing design. Another example includes the trapezoids and triangles, where the
seating tiers were composed of wedge-shaped sections, essentially trapezoids, that radiate
outwards from the arena. These are further subdivided into triangular sections for individual seats,
ensuring efficient use of space and clear sightlines.

While parabolas and hyperbolas are not specifically employed in the Colosseum's primary
structure, their mathematical principles might have indirectly influenced some aspects like the Inspiration: Pompeii’s amphitheater
elliptical arena's optimal focus for acoustics and sightlines.
Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Ergonomics: (How is the building design comfortable/convenient for human use?)

Some of the main aspects that were incorporated

with the ergonomics of the design included the
accessibility, the viewing experience, and other
amenities.

Accessibility: The colosseum included 79

entrances that spread across 4 floors, facilitating
entry and exit for large crowds, without being
cramped. Each floor also had intricate network of
staircases and ramps, allowing efficient movement
between seating sections and minimizing
congestion. Finally, the seats were divided into
clearly defined and numbered sections based on
social status, ensuring easy navigation and
preventing confusion.

Viewing experience: Due to the fact that the arena

is in an elliptical shape, it provides good sightlines
Lesson 3 – Analyzing an Existing Building
Unique Features: (What’s special/interesting about this building’s design?)
The structure of the colosseum relies heavily on arches, distributing
weight efficiently and contributing to its stability. This innovative use of
arches became a cornerstone of Roman architecture. The colosseum also
had three tiers showcasing a progression of architectural styles. It included
Doric at the base for strength, Ionic in the middle for elegance, and
Corinthian at the top for a luxurious feel. This reflected the hierarchical
structure of Roman society, which had then been a feudal system.

The tiered seating system allowed for everyone to have a decent view.
This was because of their elaborate, meticulously designed system that
allowed them to separate the social classes, but still ensured that everyone
enjoyed the arena. This had influenced the stadium design for centuries,
meaning they would be quite ahead of their time.

This precious monument was able to face lots of earthquakes, fires, and
natural decay for almost 2,000 years, while still standing as one of the
finest testaments to Roman engineering prowess, and engineering vision.
 Pros and Cons for the Design of the
Colosseum (P1):
Pros:
1. Architectural Innovation
The colosseum is considered one of the most
exceptional works of Ancient Roman engineering and
architecture. The design includes complex systems of
arches columns, and tiered seating, showcasing the
innovative techniques of the time
2. Versatility and Functionality:
The Colosseum was used for a variety of different
events, some of which included, gladiator contests,
animal hunts, executions, and theoretical
performances,. The design allowed for efficient crowd
management and diverse entertainment.
Cons:
1. Steep Seating
The tiered seating were steep and difficult to
navigate. Although they allow an optimal
viewing angle, they were difficult to exit, and
enter, especially for evacuations or
emergencies.
2. Lack of amenities
The Colosseum then lacked restrooms, and
shaded areas. This also causes large hygiene
issues for large crowds. This could be quite
uncomfortable, especially since the audience
exposed to the burning sun for the entire duration
of the fight, since there is no roof.
 Pros and Cons for the Design of the
Colosseum (P1):
Pros:
3. Impressive Capacity
The Colosseum had a spectacular seating capacity for
approximately 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, making it
the largest amphitheater of all time. The tiered seating
design provided excellent visibility for the audience.
4. Aesthetic Appeal:
The Colosseum's elliptical shape and grandeur
contribute to its aesthetic appeal. The use of
classical orders, including Doric, Ionic, and
Corinthian columns, adds to its architectural beauty.
5. Symbol of Roman Power:
The Colosseum’s was a symbol of Roman imperial
power and engineering expertise. It reflected the
grandeur and capability of the Roman Empire during its
heyday (period of great success)
Cons:
3. Gladiator and Animals (hygiene + welfare)
The underground hypogeum, although efficient, could
be cramped and unsanitary for gladiators and animals.
The nature of the fights involved lots of blood and
gore. As well as animal waste that could be piled up.
The nature of gladiator contests raised ethical concerns
about violence and animal cruelty, since they are put
up as show and entertainment.
4. Material Degradation
Over long periods of time, naturally, the concrete and
stone would erode. This would require constant
maintenance and repairs to prevent further
deterioration. The Colosseum had been built for more
than 2,000 years, and this means that it will be more
costly and challenging to continue to preserve and
upkeep this monument.
Guiding Videos on how to
create the Colosseum
1. https://youtu.be/AHk3XyYXGis?si=wxukKss8pFLtz95D

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jY9DsHpPD8&t=33s
 Design Brief
In unit 2, we will be making the Colosseum by following a variety of trustworthy tutorials that were listed above on
slide 17. We chose to create the Colosseum because it’s a historical icon that introduced an innovative way to create Key:
amphitheaters that are still used today. The color of the Colosseum is a shade of beige. Coincidentally, our main source Aesthetics
of material, cardboard, is a similar color to the Colosseum. Our design will also include most of the main shapes and Cost
patterns that are visible in the Colosseum (arched windows, circular bases, rectangular columns, triangular seating, etc.) Customer
The price of our product will be around 16 euros/64 DHS as this is the ticket price to visit the Colosseum in real life and Environmen
is an appropriate price to also present our efforts. t
Safety
Our aimed customers will be tourists visiting the country and would like to keep a souvenir for their memories. As well Size
as historians, architects, students, and anyone who would like the physical model of the Colosseum. The whole model Function
will be recyclable as the main material used is cardboard, making it environmentally friendly. The product is Materials
straightforward and only requires a small bit of space to be displayed since it should not be played with and is only used What?
as a visual model. The product is safe as it is made out of cardboard which is a soft material, however, it may have sharp Why?
edges, since the inside of the Colosseum includes lots of sharp rectangles and pointy triangles.

As our design is a circular shape, the base radius will be 10cm, decreasing by 1 cm as the layers go higher, making the
diameter 20cm. The main function of our design is to be used as a decorative display. The materials we will be using,
consisting of cardboard, and potentially toothpicks. We will be using Synthetic Resin Adhesive and maybe hot glue to
stick the pieces together, as well as a box cutter to cut out the appropriate shapes of our design.
 Citations (MLA9)
“24 Mind-Blowing Facts about the Roman Colosseum (Pictures).” The Colosseum, 6 June 2018, www.thecolosseum.org/facts/#:~:text=Who%20built%20the
%20Colosseum%3F,by%20Roman%20engineers%20and%20craftsmen. .

Cartwright, Mark. “Colosseum.” World History Encyclopedia, https://www.worldhistory.org#organization, 31 Mar. 2023, www.worldhistory.org/Colosseum/.

“Chatgpt.” ChatGPT, www.openai.com/chatgpt. Accessed 18 Jan. 2024.

“Colosseum - The Icon of Rome.” Rome by CIVITATIS, www.rome.net/colosseum. Accessed 18 Jan. 2024.

“Colosseum.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Colosseum. Accessed 18 Jan. 2024.

“The Colosseum.” Parco Archeologico Del Colosseo, 29 Oct. 2023, colosseo.it/en/area/the-colosseum/.

“DIY | How to Make the Rome Colosseum from Cardboard at Home.” YouTube, YouTube, 15 Mar. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHk3XyYXGis&t=55s.

Google, Google, bard.google.com/. Accessed 18 Jan. 2024.

“How to Make the Rome Colosseum with Cardboard | Cardboard Art and Craft | Architecture DIY | 박스로 만들기 .” YouTube, YouTube, 6 May 2020,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jY9DsHpPD8&t=33s.