A. One Kind of Building Material B. Factors That Influenced Modern Architecture C. More Kinds of Buildings as a Result of Modern Life D. The Achievements in Architecture as an Art E. Restoration (复兴) of Ancient Civilization F. Stone and Marble Are Good Building Materials

1.                         
Architecture is to building as literature to the printed word.The best buildings are often so well
constructed that they outlast their original use. They then survive not only as beautiful objects, but as
documents of the history of cultures. These achievements are never wholly the work of individuals.
Architecture is a social art.
2.                        
The Renaissance brought about an entirely new age, not only in philosophy and literature but in the
visual arts as well.In architecture, the principles and styles of ancient Greece and Rome were brought
back to life and reinterpreted (重新诠释). They remain dominant until the 20th century.
3.                        
Many kinds of stone are used as building materials. Stone and marble were chosen for important
monuments because they are not burnable and can be expected to endure.Stone architecture was often
blended with stone sculpture. The use of stone has declined, however, because a number of other materials
are more adaptable to industrial use.
4.                          
The complexity of modern life calls for a variety of building. More people live in mass housing and go to work in large office buildings; they spend their income in large shopping centers, send their children to
many different kinds of schools, and when they are sick they go to specialized hospitals and clinics. All
these different types of building accumulated experiences needed by their designers.
5.                         
By the middle of the 20th century, modern architecture, which was influenced by new technology and
mass production, was dealing with increasingly complex social needs. Important characteristics of modern
architectural works are expanses of glass and the use of reinforced concrete (钢筋混凝土). Advances in
elevator technology, air conditioning, and electric lighting have all had important effects.

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