Amsterdams Architecture Over The Ages :: European Europe History

Amsterdams Architecture oer The AgesAmsterdam has witnessed many architectural changes during its existence as a capital. From its earlier canal houses to its recent modernisation, it is a widespread array of enchanting design and architecture. Throughout this short play, I wish to take you by dint of these ages, demonstrating the designs, the reasons for them, the way of living and the way the architecture developed around the community. This guide focuses mainly on the last one hundred years, looking in depth at the gradual changes make to this great city, and its surrounding areas. I will also look at the great architectural achievements made over clipping in this area, looking at their design purposes and influences. elder architectureCentral Amsterdam ages back to over 700 years, but nearly of the buildings seen today were built in Amsterdams Golden age, about 250-500 years ago. The Golden age was the period when most of what is now known as central Amsterdam was built. S ome people think it is Amsterdams best architectural achievement. Probably the most prominent building built within this snip period is the canal house. These line all the canals in the centre of Amsterdam. all(prenominal) canal house was built to be unique from any other, though built with the same shape, each one was personalised with an ornamental piece, such as the gables and plaques. Another method was to put very decorative carvings on the neck of a house. This is called necking. The picture on the right is an dainty example of necking. Due to the swamp like quality of the reclaimed tear under Amsterdam, it was very hard to build buildings. Because of this wooden stilts were used to stand up the houses. They were driven into the wet ground before construction for support. Now delinquent to the wet ground some of these supports are rotting, causing houses to tilt and immerse into the earth. The picture on the left is of a house on the Keizergracht, it has stepwise sunk into the ground over the years causing it to lean sideways. During the time period in which these houses were built, your house taxes depended on the frontage. Meaning your taxes were determined by the width of your house. Therefore the sneaky Dutch built their houses deep and shockable to avoid severe taxing. For this same reason the staircases are very trap and low, making it impossible to take furniture up and down them.