25 Oct

What makes a good architectural Translation?

Throughout history, architects have looked back into history for inspiration, and in some cases translated past designs into contemporary times. An example of a good intrasystemic architectural translation can be found in Rome. The Column of Marcus Aurelius, built between 180-193 AD, was designed to model in height, form, and performance, the Column of Trajan built less than 100 years earlier (built 110-113 AD). Like Trajan, Marcus Aurelius used architecture to provide a visual narrative of his conquests as emperor. A relief depicting the chronology of various campaigns wraps around the entire column. However one key difference in the performance of the column is the fact that Trajan’s was also used as a burial tower, while the latter was not.

The Column of Marcus Aurelius is a good translation because it adapts the essence of the original column to a new purpose, but within the same capacity as that of a visual narrator. Such a translation is both effective and respectful because it does not diminish the quality of the original piece, and it situates a story within a physical context already understood by the viewers.