Hosted by the ICAA Northwest Chapter | 1 AIA CES Learning Unit|Elective | 1 credit towards the Certificate in Classical Architecture (Building Craft)
Known as “The Last Apprentice” in the stone and sculpture community, Richard Rhodes documents the ancient art of stone masonry that he first learned in Europe’s oldest masonry guild—dating back to the 13th century.
With the guild’s dissolution in the mid-1990s, Richard wrote his recent book, Stone, Ancient Craft to Modern Mastery (Princeton Architectural Press) out of a sense of responsibility to record this deep-rooted craft or else let the knowledge be obscured—or worse, lost completely.
In his lecture, Richard discusses challenges and triumphs from his career as an apprentice, stone mason, and sculptor. He not only details the principles of stonework, but also illuminates—as renowned critic Paul Goldberger observes in the book’s Forward—the transcendent quality of stone as humanity’s longstanding building material.
Speaker:
A Seattle, Washington-based sculptor, stonemason, entrepreneur, and scholar of stonework worldwide, Richard Rhodes apprenticed as a stonemason in Siena, Italy, after graduate studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. As the first non-Italian admitted into Siena’s medieval masonic guild (the operative branch of the Freemasons, heirs to the cathedral builders of Europe) in 726 years, he is known throughout the sculpture and stone community as the “last apprentice” since the guild collapsed in the mid-1990s. It was during his guild training that Rhodes first encountered the ancient rulesets called Sacred Geometries and the Sacred Rules of Bondwork, foundational knowledge from the 5,000-year tradition of stone expression. Though now branching into other media such as cast bronze, Rhodes credits his guild training as the major influence in his sculpture practice.
This event is hosted by an ICAA Chapter. Please check the Chapter website or contact the Chapter directly for the most up-to-date details including dates, times, and pricing.
Instructional Delivery Method: Live In-Person Learning Program Program Level: Introductory Prerequisites: None required AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: February 13, 2029 Provider Number: G193 Provider Statement: The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number G193. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
1 Participants will be able to identify the underlying principles of stone’s highest and best use.
2 Analyze a building or potential design against the historical “Rules of Bondwork,” rules codified by medieval Freemason’s guild, heirs to the cathedral builders of Europe.
3 Explore the expressive potential of various new stone materials by learning their essential typology and past historical successes.
4 Summarize the ways that stone use, aligned with the empirical design principles, can remain a vital core material for architecture and human expression.
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