Master Collection activity 10: Roman columns
Children investigate prints and drawings in the Master Collection, explore buildings in their local town centre (including Folkestone Museum if local to the town), and research other sources to discover Roman columns and examples of classical architecture in Britain today.
They discuss which type of buildings have this kind of architecture and why?
They then design an Ancient Roman building… or a modern one with a classical twist.
Learning objectives
Increased knowledge and understanding of classical (Roman and Ancient Greek) architecture and how it was copied by later generations, particularly the Georgians and Victorians.
Knowledge of architectural terms.
How to plan and construct a building using elements of classical architecture.
Curriculum links
KS1-2 History (Roman buildings)
KS1-2 Design technology (building construction)
KS1-2 Art and design (Investigating art, architectural design)
Look at the image of The so-called Temple of Vesta at Learn with Objects Master Collection 2: animal studies. Ask the class the following questions:
- What are the main architectural features of the building?
- Do you think the Romans came up with this type of architecture?
- If not, who did they borrow some of their ideas from? (the Ancient Greeks)
- What materials is the building constructed from? Do you think it was expensive to build? Why? (expensive stone, transport from distant quarries, skilled stone masons to carve it, large and complex building)
- Do you think the use of the building as a temple influenced its design and the amount of money spent in building it? How? Why?
- Is it similar with religious buildings in the UK today? (churches, Cathedrals, mosques, synagogues, Buddhist and Hindu temples etc).
- How long do you think it took to build? (probably a few years)
- Does the architecture make it stand out from other buildings? How?
- Is it easier to build a round or a rectangular building? What does this tell us? (round buildings were harder and more expensive to build, so it tells us it’s an important building, designed to impress).
- Does it have any intricate details? Where? (look at the top of the columns, these are called Corinthian columns and are highly decorative)
- Was it built to last? (of course!)
- How long has it actually been there? (About 2,000 years!)
Other ideas
- Ask the children to do some research on Roman and Classical architecture and report back. Can they find images, of buildings in the local town centre, or London that have Roman-style columns.
- Alternatively go for a local walk where there are buildings from the 19th-20th centuries, including churches, banks, and civic buildings such as a town hall, library or museum.
- Ask pupils:
- What type of buildings use Roman-style columns?
- Why do you think they have used Roman-style columns? What messages might such architecture convey? (e.g. formality, serious purpose)
- Have any other parts been borrowed from Roman architecture?
Ask pupils to design their own building using Roman-style columns or other elements of classical architecture (drawings or 3D models).
It can either be a design for an Ancient Roman building… or a modern one with a classical twist.
- What function does their building have?
- What is it intended for and who will use it?
Learn with Objects links
Use Learn with Objects Master Collection 2: animal studies (The so-called Temple of Vesta).