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)
Let the architect be educated, skillful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention.
Music, which is the knowledge of modulation in song, assists greatly the correct formation of buildings by proportions.
Medicine teaches what is salutary; jurisprudence, what is just; and the sum of history is experience.
The parts of the building should answer their several uses, humanly speaking.
In the midst of a city, buildings should be so placed as to allow free passage.
The thickness of walls should be such as to make them durable forever.
Timber should be cut in the winter, for then it is free from sap.
Fir timber is strong and durable, but it is heavy.
The saw should be used to cut timber across the grain for strength.
Lime is made by burning marble or limestone in kilns.
Sand for mortar should be free from earth and salt.
The best walls are those made of burnt brick.
In temples, the cella should be spacious and well-lit.
Columns should be proportioned to the height of the building.
The Doric order is sturdy and masculine.
Ionic columns are slender and elegant.
Caryatids represent captive women, a symbol of subjugation.
Theatre design requires knowledge of acoustics and geometry.
Water organs are marvels of engineering.
Aqueducts must be built with a gentle slope to carry water.