Experiencing Architecture - Chapter VII; Textural Effects

• Certain Native American tribes made entire buildings out of clay, which were smoothed and resemble plastered walls.
• Two tendencies arises in architecture: rough, which emphasizes structure, and smooth, which hides it. Some buildings have stuccoed walls so that you see only the plaster surface. On the other hand, in some buildings brick is uncovered revealing the regular pattern of the courses.
• In certain periods one tendency usually dominates the other; however, there are also buildings in which both are employed together to obtain effective contrasts.
• Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water is an example in which rough and smooth combine to create contrast. The rustic limestone are set against smooth blocks of white cement and shiny glass and steel
• It can be said the materials with poor textural effects are improved by deep relief, while materials of high quality can stand a smooth surface an appear to be best without relief or ornament.