Text 9. Elements of architecture. Appearance

Words and word combinations:

Appearance – наружность;

external appearance – внешняя наружность;

the natural colors of stone, brick – естественный цвет камня, кирпича;

an exterior building design – внешний проект здания;

rough- textured wood – дерево грубой текстуры;

sleek – гладкий, лоснящийся;

highly polished glass and metal – высоко полированное стекло и метал;

dramatic or pleasing patterns – впечатляющие и привлекательные образцы;

various combinations of brickwork - различные комбинации кладки;

contrasting kinds of stone - котрастирующие виды камней;

neither too large nor too small – не слишком большое и не слишком маленькое;

a downtown area – деловой центр.

Appearance. An architect determines the external appearance of the building not only by its shape but also by the choice of the materials. The natural colors of stone, brick, and wood have always been popular alone or in combinations. During the 1900’s, tinted glass has played an important role in exterior building design. Many architects choose rough- textured wood or stone. Others prefer the sleek, elegant quality of highly polished glass and metal.

A number of architects have created dramatic or pleasing patterns through the skillful arrangement of materials. For example, architects have used glass or concrete, various combinations of brickwork, or contrasting kinds of stone.

Proportion is vital to a building’s appearance. All the parts of the building should be in proper relation to one another, neither too large nor too small. In addition the size and shape of the building should also blend with the site and surroundings. A tall glass and metal building would be appropriate in the downtown area of a large city, but it would be out of place in a neighborhood of single- family houses.

Exercises:

1.Give Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

an architect determines the external appearance; the choice of the materials; the natural colors of stone, brick, and wood; tinted glass has played an important role; many architects choose rough- textured wood; in proper relation.

2.Say if the following sentences are true or false:

1.The natural colors of stone, brick, and wood have never been popular alone or in combinations.

2. Many architects choose rough- textured wood or stone.

3. A number of architects have created dramatic or pleasing patterns through the skillful arrangement of materials.

4. Proportion isn’t vital to a building’s appearance.

5. In addition the size and shape of the building shouldn’t also blend with the site and surroundings.

3. Insert missing words, use the text’s vocabulary:

1. An architect determines the … appearance of the building not only by its shape but also by the … of the materials.2. During the 1900’s, … glass has played an … role in exterior building design.3. Others prefer the …, elegant quality of highly … glass and metal.4. All the parts of the building should be in proper … to one another, neither too … nor too …. 5. A tall … and metal building would be appropriate in the … area of a large city, but it would be out of place in a … of single- family houses.

4. Translate these sentences into Russian:

1. The natural colors of stone, brick, and wood have always been popular alone or in combinations.2. Many architects choose rough - textured wood or stone. 3. For example, architects have used glass or concrete, various combinations of brickwork, or contrasting kinds of stone.4. In addition the size and shape of the building should also blend with the site and surroundings.5. Proportion is vital to a building’s appearance.

5. Retell the text.