Many philosophies have used a set of archetypal elements that consist of the simplest essential parts with which all things are made.The Greek Classical Elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether) persisted throughout the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance, greatly influencing European thought and culture.
In the hilltop village of Eze in Provence, the drama of the play between the elements easily spring to mind.
One classic diagram (below) has one square inscribed in the other, with the corners of one being the classical elements, and the corners of the other being the properties. The opposite corner is the opposite of the these properties, "hot - cold" and "dry - wet". Of course, some of these qualities hold true in a Mediterranean climate; those living further north would be a lot less likely to describe air as being hot, or earth as being dry. Images are from the Hotel Chateau Eza.
Eze is perched high on a hill with a spectaurar view of the Mediterranean. It is without doubt one of the world's unique and beautiful places. The sun burns down from the sky, Often airy clouds go swirling by. Narrow pedestrian lanes are hemmed in by towering stone walls only to reveal explosive views of the ocean far below.
Stone walls and lanes embrace pedestrians, holding them safely bound to terra firma. Just a few building materials create a rich and varied maze of village spaces, leaving the visitor breathless and spellbound.
Finally and out of breath, you are there; at the Hotel Chateau Eza. And what's more, it's time for lunch!
Ah, our table is ready!
Where does the sky end and the ocean start? The climbing pedestrian is finally released from the earthen maze below and lifted up half-way to heaven.
Lessons from Eze:
1.Use the classical elements of earth, air, fire and water to provide drama to your projects.
2. Keep the suspense going by using narrow lanes, archways and coutyards.
3. Just a few basic building materials can be masterfully woven into visually rich and varied environment.
Images:
1)Hotel Chateau Eza 2)Andre Lubeck 3)Wikipedia 4)Allia.5)bue_quartz 6)jeffwilcox 7)Dario Pozzi.8)Bluguia_Pabl0 9)Sven Lindner 10)Geevee
One classic diagram (below) has one square inscribed in the other, with the corners of one being the classical elements, and the corners of the other being the properties. The opposite corner is the opposite of the these properties, "hot - cold" and "dry - wet". Of course, some of these qualities hold true in a Mediterranean climate; those living further north would be a lot less likely to describe air as being hot, or earth as being dry. Images are from the Hotel Chateau Eza.
Stone walls and lanes embrace pedestrians, holding them safely bound to terra firma. Just a few building materials create a rich and varied maze of village spaces, leaving the visitor breathless and spellbound.
Finally and out of breath, you are there; at the Hotel Chateau Eza. And what's more, it's time for lunch!
Ah, our table is ready!
Where does the sky end and the ocean start? The climbing pedestrian is finally released from the earthen maze below and lifted up half-way to heaven.
Lessons from Eze:
1.Use the classical elements of earth, air, fire and water to provide drama to your projects.
2. Keep the suspense going by using narrow lanes, archways and coutyards.
3. Just a few basic building materials can be masterfully woven into visually rich and varied environment.
Images:
1)Hotel Chateau Eza 2)Andre Lubeck 3)Wikipedia 4)Allia.5)bue_quartz 6)jeffwilcox 7)Dario Pozzi.8)Bluguia_Pabl0 9)Sven Lindner 10)Geevee
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