Greek Inspiration

Sketch for pillar

Some references.

Architecture of the globe and detail.

Globe Theatre Architecture - the Classical connection

The Globe Theatre Architecture was based on the great structures of classic antiquity. The design was based on a structure similar to the Coliseum in Ancient Rome. Architecture on a grand scale which would house a capacity of between 1500 and 3000 people.  James Burbage built the very first theatre with his brother-in-law John Brayne. The architecture of 'The Theatre' was designed as a construction which was similar to a small Roman amphitheatre. Classic Greek and Roman architecture was admired by the Elizabethans and sometimes great columns framed the entrances of many great Elizabethan houses. Two great columns were included in the architecture of the Elizabethan theatres which were called 'Herculean' columns or pillars - these were Architecture included the features of the existing blood sport rings, such as the Bear Garden, were used but with the addition of a fixed stage. The other important feature was the cobbled yard, as opposed to the bare earth floor suited to animals. The fashionable and practical Black and White Half Timbered style of architecture was emulated. The Globe Theatre was framed with massive upright, vertical timbers. These vertical timbers were supported by diagonal timbers. The wattle walls were daubed with mortar and whitewash was then applied. This process resulted in the highly distinctive black and white half-timbered Elizabethan style of architecture.

Globe Theatre Architecture - the Thatched roof

The Globe Theatre Architecture also featured a thatched roof. The material used to make a thatched roof was either straw or reeds. Bundles of straw or reed were piled on to the frame of the roof. The bundles had elaborately painted to resemble marble. The architecture of the Globe theatre was deliberately designed to reflect easily recognisable elements of Roman or Greek architecture thus elevating the bad reputation of plays and actors to the much admired Greek or Roman classical plays! It had been assumed that the Globe Theatre had been an octagonal shaped building. This assumption was based on the illustrated Visscher map engraving of 1616.  But recent archaeological evidence and other documents, such as the illustrated Hollar map, indicate that it was actually a 20-sided building.

Globe Theatre Architecture - the practical design

The Globe Theatre a circumference of between 24 to 27 inches and could range from 3 to 7 feet long. The thatched roof was a real fire hazard and in 1613 the original Globe theatre was burnt to the ground. A new Globe Theatre was built quickly, with one important addition. The new Globe Theatre boasted a tiled roof

Globe Theatre Architecture

Architecture - the art and science of designing and erecting buildings! The design and Architecture of the Globe Theatre had to be a combination of practical use, economy and the aesthetic design! Illustrated Maps of London clearly show the architecture of the Globe Theatre, and these have enabled an approximate picture of the old Globe Theatre to be drawn. The Globe Theatre Architecture reflected the styles used during the Elizabethan era. The features of the Globe Theatre architecture included distinctive elements:

The Black and White Half Timbered style

Vertical and diagonal timbers

Overhanging first floors - galleries

Pillared porches

Thatched roofs

Lights

Reference Images

Here are some images of the exterior, inside and and construction of the Globe to help me visualize and then adapt my recreation.

Measurment Reference Images.

Woopsie...Measurements!!!!

Right, Randomly I just remembered I'm supposed to have exact measurements so I did alot of internet digging and found some reference images and measurements to help.

Though I did read through it thoroughly, the information below is mostly copy and pasted in.

''As the following information will explain, the exact dimensions of the Globe stage cannot be accurately specified. The Globe Theatre Dimensions have been estimated as follows:

Diameter Dimensions of the Globe - 100 feet in diameter

Circumference - 300 feet

Height of the stage - approx 5 feet

Width of Stage - approx 45 foot wide

Length of the stage - approx 30 feet long

Roof span - 46 feet''

''The best way to construct a model is level by level. There are four levels to the new Globe: a ground level (for the yard, can also serve as the model's base), and then first, second, and third seating galleries. For each of the three galleries, take whatever construction material you are using, take a compass, and draw a big circle with the same diameter measure you want for the model. Each side of the Globe is 18 degrees; there are twenty sides (making 360 degrees, conveniently enough). Mark off each side (For best results, use a protractor). You should now have the outside edge of a 20 sided polygon.''

Gettin' down to some research!

Alright obviously before you attempt to create or recreate anything, You've gotta have some sort of research done and a collection of reference images in the bank, unless you wanna create something from scratch with no influence. Anyway, I got down to the library and flicked through some architectural books documenting the history of architectural design and buildings all over the world. Gathered some ideas and started sketching which will be uploaded later.


I first looked at the context and meaning behind the Globe Theatre and Shakespeare in general because I would like to incorporate that into my reconstruction.

• Theatre,
• Plays, 
• Cinema, 
• Entertainment, 
• Shows,
• Music, 
• Film,
• TV,
• Performing Arts, 
• Spectacle

All of these ideas come into my mind when I think of the Globe Theatre.


I had ideas of a Glass/Ice type structure for the simple reason because the Elizabethan and Shakespearian times were so long ago yet we still have something of that credibility built amongst us to this day. With the ice concept, its almost as if it could represent the act of freezing time and preserving it. Freezing what was once and preserving the work and  familiarity of Shakespeare. This is what the globe theatre practically does because his playwrights are still famous and active today.


Fig.1

After i sketched the picture on the top right, it reminded me of the Sydney Opera House. (Shown below)


Fig.2

I used this monument as reference for the sketch on the bottom left in Fig.1

To pick the Shakespeare Globe Theatre or not to pick the Shakespeare Globe Theatre.... That is the question.

The four choices of which we had to pick from were;

The British Museum                                          


                       














  Tower Bridge

 St Albans Cathedral      

 Shakespeare Globe Theatre

As you can probably tell from the title of this post I went for the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. The reason why I picked it was, even though it may be in London, I have been to it before for a school trip. The others may be free to get in but the Globe cost money to actually see what's inside for yourself.