Bits of Architecture Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Many Gothic cathedrals, including Notre Dame in Paris, have a slight kink in their main axis so that the nave does not line up exactly with the center of the altar. According to some scholars, medieval cathedral architects built the kink in deliberately, as a humble expression of man's imperfections and as a reminder to worshipers that God alone is perfect.

Answer: Painted brilliantly, with reds, blues and yellows, in a riot of color

To modern eyes, ancient Greek temples derive much of their grandeur from their simple lines, their disciplined elegance and the white austerity of their stones. But the Greeks saw them differently. Scholars now know that originally the temples were almost gaudy. Brilliant paints - blues, reds and yellows - were splashed on many of the stones and turned columns. Since the pigments were expensive, their lavish use was simply an ostentatious display of wealth.

The temples' present whiteness is the result of time and the bleaching, paint-flaking power of the Mediterranean sun.

Answer: They did not jump far enough outward from the building.

On December 22, 1977, a 26-year-old man named Thomas Helms jumped from the observatory on the 86th floor. Because he didn't jump far enough out from the building, he fell only about 20 feet onto a 3' x 4' ledge on the 85th floor and was not seriously hurt. On December 2, 1979, 29-year-old Elvita Adams jumped from the same level.

She jumped further outward but was saved by a strong gust of wind that also blew here onto the 85th floor ledge. She escaped with a broken hip.

Answer: Crystal Palace in New York

Elisha Otis demonstrated his amazing contraption, which gave rise to taller and taller building skylines as time went on, at the American Institute Fair in New York. He had himself hauled up the elevator with some freight and amazed the stunned crowd when he cut the rope 5 stories up, and the freight remained motionless--held in place by an automatic locking system.

This demonstration in May of 1854 was part of the American Institute Fair, which was itself a part of the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations , also known as the New York World's Fair.

Answer: False

Sir Christopher Wren, the designer of the vast dome of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, was once ordered to modify the much smaller roof of the Windsor Guildhall. He built the ceiling supported by pillars but after the city fathers inspected the work, they decided the ceiling would not stay up as it was built and ordered Wren to add more pillars. Wren did not believe the ceiling needed any extra support, so he erected four sham pillars which serve no structural purpose whatsoever.

They do not even reach the ceiling.

The illusion fooled the city fathers and the phony pillars still stand. Wren's 300-year-old ceiling shows no signs of falling down.

Answer: Filippo Brunelleschi

The base of the great dome in St. Peter's cathedral, spanning 137 feet, is prevented from splaying outward under the dome's weight by an encircling iron chain. This revolutionary idea, which did away with the need for massive buttressing, was first used by architect Filippo Brunelleschi on the dome of the Florence Cathedral. According to an old story, Brunelleschi used a trick in winning a competition in 1417 to design the dome. Rather than reveal his plans in advance, he persuaded judges to decide by asking the competitors to stand an egg on its end on smooth marble.

After the others failed, Brunelleschi, in an early example of lateral thinking, neatly smashed one end, then the egg stood upright easily.

Answer: Acanthus column

Columns had ornamental capitals--the top of the column--in one of three designs known as orders. Doric columns consisted of plain molded capitals and no {base;} Ionic capitals were decorated with a pair of scrolls (known as volutes) and Corinthian columns were decorated with an inverted bell-shaped arrangement of acanthus leaves.

But acanthus column was NOT the correct name of this particular style.

Answer: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

Byzantine architecture (330-1453) is a combination of Roman and Eastern influences and is characterized chiefly by use of a dome. Exterior surfaces were plastered and interior surfaces were flat but brightly colored and elaborately decorated with marble, mosaic or frescoes. Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul, is the only one of the choices which meets these criteria.

Answer: Norman architecture

Characterized by Roman semicircular vaults and arches which were reintroduced in stone to build churches and fortifications. Massive piers and thick walls were used; ornament was sparse and geometrical. This is also known as Norman architecture, from early examples in Normandy.

Answer: Gothic

The similar characteristics of the pointed arch and ribbed vault with strong vertical lines and slender pillars, along with 'flying' buttresses used to support high naves on the outside walls were the hallmarks of Gothic architecture and are common to all three buildings.

Answer: Baroque

Buildings designed with flowing curves and extravagant decoration using plasterwork, sculptures, gilt, paint and marble was known as {baroque;} rococo is similar to baroque but generally lighter and less formal and includes liberal use of the shell motif.

Answer: True

Neo, meaning 'new,' bringing back the classical architecture of Greece and Rome (neo-classical), and bringing back the Gothic style during the period of 1775-1900.

Answer: Art Deco

The Chrysler Building in New York City and the Broadcasting House in London are both examples of the predominant use of these materials during the Art Deco Period of architecture (1920's and 1930's).

Answer: Modern Architecture and Postmodernism

Modern Architecture spans from 1918 through present day, and Postmodernism spans from 1957 through present day.

Answer: Neoclassical

During the Period of Revivals, Neoclassical architecture, with its solid and severe revival of Greek and Roman styles of architecture and its restrained decoration, included the British Museum in London and included the Georgian period in England's architectural histo