Reading architecture from the plan
Viewed through a plan, architecture lays its cards on the table. While a floor plan shows the rooms and walls, it also provides an insight into the lives of the building’s occupants. Thanks to the plan, we can slip into the inner world of a property and become spectators. Home furnishings reflect the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Life in the 18th century was not the same as in the 17th century, and the allocation and distribution of rooms bear witness to this. Take the staircase, for example. Its shape, size, position and decoration tell us about its origins. The art of rising varies from one era to another - going up and down is an act steeped in history and rich in symbolism. With a little practice, you'll soon realise that a paper plan isn't always essential for a thorough analysis. Take a good look at the façades, examine them and ask questions! The rooms will appear. And if your vision lacks clarity, keep your assumptions to yourself - it'll make your visit all the more exciting. For example, in a 15th-century manor, the rooms are very spacious because each one has several functions. Also, apart from the kitchen and toilets, there are very few utility rooms. In a 17th-century chateau, the rooms are arranged on either side of a main axis running through the centre. The symmetry of the plan is illustrated by the symmetry of the two main facades. In the 18th century, each room had a specific purpose and the privacy of the home took on new importance. The 19th century saw the definitive end of the row of rooms with the creation of suitable, comfortable circulation spaces. Here are a few rough sketches of the evolution of interior design.
Formulate your theories then investigate
Beware of certainties and preconceived ideas as they will mislead you. Once you've collected all of your clues, compare them. Remember to hypothesise and ponder your doubts for they may contain keys. Above all, explore in all directions without being afraid to retrace your steps. All routes are allowed - if there's one thing you need to be sure of, it's that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Just like the capital of the Roman Empire, a property is rarely built in a linear fashion. Looked at individually, each dated element fits into the chronology of the house. Once you've repositioned all these elements, you'll be able to understand how it was inhabited. Tracing the history of a property through archive documents can, if necessary, confirm your intuitions and theories born in the field.
Last but not least:
There are scientific techniques for dating materials; in particular, dendrochronology for timber. But first, we've revealed a few secrets about our art of understanding architecture and how to read its history at a glance from on the ground. Our news updates will allow you to learn more about the history of architecture and the tools you need to understand it. The construction and life of a historical property are like theatre. Observe its architecture, give voice to its morphology and listen to what the materials have to say, and you'll see the sets on the stage. Think about the architect and listen as he whispers, pay attention to the work of the craftsmen and imagine the daily lives of its occupants - the characters are at the heart of the action. Comedies, dramas, intrigues and denouements have all taken place within its walls. Living in a historical property means choosing your role and taking part in history, writing it and playing it out in the present.
