1. How funny is Marc's story about the house of his childhood?  What do you love/hate about your house?
 

2. He says architecture is all about the emotional connection we feel to the places we occupy.  Do you agree?

Do you have a strong feeling about any public building?
 

3. I remember what my Mom said about an apartment where we lived  that it had a "light shadow" which in Greek conveyed the idea of a positive, light feeling - not oppressive. What's your comment?  Does Russian have any such saying?  

4. By the way, what is your opinion of Feng Shui, the Chinese beliefs about the building and arrangement of homes?  I have also learned that there is a very strong religious tradition in Hinduism that dictates how every aspect of a home should be including how it's built. It's called Vastu.  Have you heard of it?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vastu_shastra     Does Russian culture have any such traditions, perhaps about how country homes should be built?
 
5. He says that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors at home, work, school, shopping...  Do you think the same is true of Russians?

 

6. What can you tell me about the architecture in the Russian Federation?

7. Marc says using Classical Greek design for U.S. government buildings was done to create an emotional connection to the ideals of ancient Greek democracy.  And, he says, this a trick that architects use all the time .  Did you know this?

​7. Talk about the differences between the two very different libraries: one in Livingston and one in Seattle.  3min 14sec

8. Marc said architectural design swings back and forth between innovation and traditional symbols.  Do you see these "swings" in  Moscow buildings?
 

9. I found interesting what he said about brutalism in the 70's.  The first high school where I taught in Omaha was built this way.   http://www.boonebrothers.com/files/3113/1101/4221/DanielJGrossCatholicHighSchool.jpg
What do you think of this style and do you have any buildings like this in Moscow?

10. What comment would you like to make about the different styles Marc showed which take traditional symbols and update them?  Here's an updated style in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Paris: http://orthochristian.com/106487.html

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11. Every civilization leaves its mark in the world.  Can we say that buildings reflect our culture and our society's ideals: balance+ harmony, beauty+ style,= graceful forms.....  for example?

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12. Now that you know about how the pendulum swings between innovation and symbols, can you think of a building which exemplifies each?

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13. What do you think of the museum in Bilbao?  Do you like it? https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/the-building

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14. Marc says the Media Revolution (the internet) has allowed people to voice their opinions faster, even before, a building is built.  Is this important to you?  Would you express your opinion and feelings about a proposed building?

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15. Finally, do you have a favorite building?  And, why is it your favorite?  Mine is my high school in Omaha which is where I also did my student teaching. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha_Central_High_School#/media/File:Omaha_Central_HS_from_E_1.JPG