Vitruvius
Author of De Architectura, foundation of Western architecture
Most quoted
"Therefore, since this art is such a one, and so rich in the number of its studies, I think that men have no right to profess themselves architects unless they have climbed with the greatest diligence from boyhood up the steps of all these studies, and, having been nourished by the knowledge of many arts and sciences, have reached the highest temple of architecture."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter 1, Section 12
"The architect should be a man of good education, a skilful draughtsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, informed on the principles of natural and moral philosophy, able to play and understand music, having some knowledge of medicine, knowing the opinions of the jurists, and of astronomy and the rules of the heavens."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter I, Section 3
"The architect must be a man of letters, a skillful draughtsman, versed in geometry and optics, expert at figures, acquainted with history, and diligent in the study of philosophy; he must understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of lawyers, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens."
— from De Architectura, Book I, Chapter 1
All quotes by Vitruvius (367)
He must be acquainted with music, that he may understand the theory of sound, and the laws of harmony, which are necessary in the construction of theatres.
He must not be ignorant of medicine, on account of the differences of climates, and the nature of the air, and the choice of healthy sites.
He must be acquainted with the opinions of lawyers, concerning the rights of property, and the laws relating to buildings.
He must be conversant with astronomy, that he may understand the course of the sun, and the changes of the seasons, and the points of the compass.
The architect's knowledge is of two kinds: the one practical, the other theoretical.
Practice is the continuous and repeated exercise of the work in hand.
Theory is the ability to demonstrate and explain the productions of art in accordance with the principles of proportion.
Those who have aimed at acquiring knowledge of the art without the aid of practice, have never been able to attain to what they desired.
Those who have relied on practice alone, and not on theory, have also failed to reach the highest excellence.
But those who have united both practice and theory, have, as it were, clad themselves in complete armour, and have been able to attain their object with success.
The site should be healthy, and the aspect of the heavens propitious.
The foundations should be dug down to a solid bottom, if it can be found; and if not, they should be laid on piles.
The walls should be built of solid materials, and of a proper thickness.
The roofs should be constructed so as to throw off the rain, and to be proof against fire.
The columns should be proportioned to the height of the building, and to the intercolumniations.
The ornaments should be adapted to the character of the building, and to the order of architecture.
The Doric order is the most ancient, and the most masculine.
The Ionic order is more graceful, and more feminine.
The Corinthian order is the most delicate, and the most ornamental.
The architect should not only be able to design, but also to execute.