Муниципальное бюджетное общеобразовательное учреждение города Бердска

«Средняя общеобразовательная школа №8»

ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬСКАЯ РАБОТА

НА ИНОСТРАННОМ (АНГЛИЙСКОМ) ЯЗЫКЕ ПО ТЕМЕ

«Natural stones in the architecture of Berdsk»

Выполнила обучающаяся 10А класса

Мила Павловна Аношкина

(И.О.Фамилия)                                         (подпись, дата)

Научный руководитель

Учитель географии Эльвира Тагировна Минимухаметова

(должность, И.О. Фамилия)                  (подпись, дата)

Учитель английского языка Александра Евгеньевна Делий

(должность, И.О. Фамилия)                  (подпись, дата)

Новосибирск 2024

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION        3

CHAPTER 1. STONES IN ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION        6

1.1. Rocks that are used for architectural and construction purposes        6

1.2. The areas of natural stone uses in architecture        8

CHAPTER 2. WORKING OUT AN ARCHITECTURAL EXCURSION        10

1.1. Description of stones used in the architecture of Berdsk        10

1.2. Architectural excursion around Berdsk        11

CONCLUSION        15

REFERENCE LITERATURE        16

TEXTS UNDER STUDY        17

APPENDIX 1. The rock cycle        18

APPENDIX 2. Natural stones used in the architecture of Berdsk        19

APPENDIX 3. The excursion itinerary        20

APPENDIX 4. Monuments and memorials of Victory Park        21

APPENDIX 5. The entrance to the former “Vega” factory        22

APPENDIX 6. Administration building of Berdsk        23

APPENDIX 7. Central Department Store        24

APPENDIX 8. Berdsky Construction Trust        25

APPENDIX 9. Memorial complex “Vegovsky Square”        26

APPENDIX 10. Memorial to the Military Brotherhood of Defenders of the Motherland        27

APPENDIX 11. Monument to the liquidators of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant        28

APPENDIX 12. Booklet        29

INTRODUCTION

The history of human evolution is closely related to natural stones, for instance, people lived in lithoidal dwellings or used lithoidal implements. Nowadays natural stones are widely used in building and construction work. I must admit that stone is a significant part in the design of buildings. It is meant to be used by architects and constructors as a unique ornamental material.

I noticed that there are many different buildings that were created using natural stones in Berdsk. I wondered why stone is most often used as a decorative element among a wide range of modern facing materials? What kinds of stones are used for these purposes? Perhaps, in such way, people implement the “memory” inherited from their ancestors who, for many centuries, used natural materials to build their houses and other architectural structures.

Topicality

Nowadays there is intensive development of tourism in Russia. A large number of trips are carried out for the purpose of studying monuments, cultural and historical attractions and achievements of science and technology. To my mind, excursion activities are the basis for most types of tourism. For example, the most effective method of exploring a city is an architectural excursion. It gives a visual representation of the world around us, develops artistic taste and enriches the inner world of people.

The project object: the architectural objects of Berdsk.

The project subject: material which the architectural objects of Berdsk are built from.

The project aim: work out an excursion around Berdsk including architectural objects that were created using natural stones.

The project objectives:

1. Explore the geological characteristics of stone building materials using various sources of information.
2. Find out what natural stones are used for urban design elements in Berdsk.
3. Study the areas of usage of natural stone in architecture.
4. Select the most interesting and visual architectural objects of Berdsk.
5. Set up a booklet with the information about architectural objects and stones that were used in their creation.

Methods

1. Theoretical (analysis and synthesis).

Searching for necessary information on a selected topic on the Internet.

2. Empirical (observation, comparison).

The process of observing and searching for architectural objects that were created using natural stones.

Identification of rocks by external features using a collection of natural stones.

3. Mathematical (visualization).

The process of creating a booklet that visually reflects general information about architectural objects.

Texts under study

Berdsk is an urban resort. Unique natural and recreational resources, cultural and historical heritage sites are concentrated on its territory, and important cultural, social and sporting events take place there. Currently, tourism is one of the important areas influencing economic growth, including the development of such areas of economic activity as the services of travel companies, collective accommodation facilities, transport, communications, trade, production of souvenirs, food, construction and other industries, thereby acting as a factor in the socio-economic development of Berdsk. Excursions are one of the tourist directions that allow people to get acquainted with this town better.

Practical significance

The excursion created in my project provides opportunities to develop observation skills, perceive the beauty of the world around us, expand existing knowledge and provide new ones, increase interest in the topics being studied (for example, geology or the history of native land) and contribute to the comprehensive personality development. The excursion is suitable not only for people who want to get a new angle on, but also for foreigners who want to get acquainted with Berdsk.

Brief summary of the project

In the first chapter of the project, different types of rocks that are commonly used for architectural and construction purposes are described. The chapter discusses the properties and characteristics of rocks such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and their usage in creating various architectural elements.

The second chapter focuses on working out an architectural excursion in Berdsk, highlighting the different architectural objects created using natural stones. The chapter describes the stones used in the architecture of Berdsk, such as granite, gabbro, limestone-shell, marble, rhyolite and gabbro-diabase, and their specific applications in building design. There is provided an excursion itinerary guiding individuals through various architectural landmarks and monuments in Berdsk that show the beauty of natural stones.

The project includes 9 sources of reference literature that was consulted during the research process. Additionally, the project includes 12 appendixes that provide detailed information on the different types of rocks and stones, architectural objects and the excursion itinerary.

Overall, the project emphasizes the importance of natural stones in architecture and construction, showing their durability, decorative properties and versatility in creating visually appealing and structurally sound buildings and monuments. Thanks to the architectural excursion, individuals are able to explore and appreciate the beauty of natural stones and their significant role in shaping the architectural landscape of Berdsk.

CHAPTER 1. STONES IN ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION

1.  Rocks that are used for architectural and construction purposes

Natural stone plays an important role among decorative facing materials. It is used to decorate facades and interiors, sports and shopping complexes, create monuments and memorials and embellish recreation areas. Mostly stones and certain minerals are used in urban setting.

A rock is a naturally occurring, solid aggregate consisted of one or several minerals.

A stone is an individual piece of rock that has been shaped or modified by natural processes or human intervention.

Rocks form the Earth’s crust, while stones are used as building materials or for decorative purposes.

Minerals are natural chemical compounds, approximately homogeneous in chemical composition and physical properties formed both in the depths of the Earth and on its surface as a result of various physical and chemical processes.

Each rock formation is characterized by a specific mineral composition. It can consist of one (e.g. limestone) or several minerals (e.g. granite). Rocks differ in color, structure, texture [4; 7].

The color of the rock depends on the color of the minerals included in its composition.

Structure is a feature of the internal form, determined by the internal arrangement of grains and the size of minerals. It can be granular, detrital, or porphyritic.

Texture is the external appearance of the rock. It can be massive, layered, porous and banded.

By origin, rocks are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic (see Appendix 1).

Igneous rocks are formed as a result of the solidification and crystallization of magma. As the magma rises, it solidifies both in depth and on the surface. The main deep-seated rocks are granite, diorite, gabbro, peridotite. The most famous erupted rocks are porphyrite, basalt and tuff. Igneous rocks are characterized by stability and durability, so they are used to create bridge buttresses, monuments, arches, floors, stairs and slabs.

Metamorphic rocks are formed at depth as a result of changes in magma and sediment under the influence of high temperatures. They are: 1) silicate such as clayey and mica schist, gneiss, quartzite and hornfels; 2) carbonate such as marble.

Due to the decorative properties of marble and quartzite, these rocks are used for the manufacture of decorative facing slabs, monuments, floor coverings and stairs.

Sedimentary rocks are formed at the bottom of reservoirs from the products of the destruction of previously formed rocks and by grinding out chemical precipitation as a result of the vital activity of organisms. The most common rocks are limestone, dolomite and limestone-shell rock. In architecture they are used for interior cladding.

The practical value of stones is determined by their properties [6]:

1. Decorativeness determines artistic and aesthetic merits. The stones can be colored or achromatic. There are the following colored rocks such as gray, pink and red granite, pink marble, crimson quartzite, green ophiocalcites. Achromatic rocks are black, white and gray. For example, grey gabbro, diabase or labradorite, white marble or limestone, gray granite or sandstone. The decorative effect of the rocks depends on the treatment of the front surface (e.g. sawn, polished or grinded).
2. Texture is shades and patterns that replicate various types of stone of natural origin. For example, the texture of limestone-shell rock attracts with elements of “visible nature in the stone” (i.e. shells).
3. Durability is a property that determines the service life of a stone. It depends on various factors such as climatic conditions (for example, the low temperatures of the Siberian winter), the impact of transport, etc. Quartzite, granite, gabbro and diabase are durable. Marble and porous limestones are considered to be short-lived rocks.
4. The levels of abrasion resistance are taken into account when using natural stone to cover floors. Granite, syenite, diorite, gabbro, quartzite have the lowest degree of abrasion. They are used to cover floors in public places.

1. The areas of natural stone uses in architecture

Stone used for construction and architecture can be divided into the following categories [2]:

1. Ashlar. This type of material has clean-cut geometric shapes. This is achieved by carefully processing the surface of the stone, including sawing and trimming. Ashlar is used in the construction of wall blocks of buildings, in the construction of road curbs and as facing slabs for finishing premises. Previously, ashlar was used for laying pavements, roads and squares.
2. Crushed stone. This type of material is widely available and less expensive. Crushed stone is not decorative or complex in shape and is used mainly as concrete filler or road crushed stone.
3. Ornamental stone. This stone is used for external and internal decoration of buildings. Objects in the construction of which facing stone is used invariably amaze with their majesty and expressiveness. In the cladding of buildings, embankments, bridges and the decorative design of streets, alleys, parks and squares, such stone helps to achieve a sense of integrity of the architectural ensemble and harmony of the environment. In addition, facing stone is used in the construction of stairs, cornices, plat bands, columns and their bases and other decorative elements.
4. Monument stone. This category of stone is a subject to requirements for strength, decorativeness and resistance to weather and natural environmental conditions. This stone is used in the creation of monuments.

I divided the areas of natural stones uses in the architecture of Berdsk into the following groups:

1. Usage of stone for external and internal cladding of buildings.
2. Usage of stone to create monuments and memorial places.
3. Usage of stonemasonry waste.

Overall, natural stone plays a significant role in architecture and construction. Stones are versatile materials with various properties and characteristics. Whether it is igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic rock, each type has its unique qualities and uses in different architectural elements. Stones are utilized in various aspects of construction and design. The usage of natural stone in architecture not only adds to the longevity and durability of buildings but also enhances their visual appeal, creating a sense of harmony and unity in the architectural landscape.

CHAPTER 2. WORKING OUT AN ARCHITECTURAL EXCURSION

1.  Description of stones used in the architecture of Berdsk

An office, commercial, industrial building, residential apartment building or individual house should look beautiful and dignified. Therefore, the choice of materials for the interior and exterior of a building is an important issue. One of the obvious cladding options is natural stone (see Appendix 2).

To determine the natural stone that was used for a particular architectural object, various Internet resources (e.g. sites with descriptions of natural stones, online directories, etc.) and the collection of stones from the geography classroom were used. The identification of natural stones was made on the basis of photographs by comparing the stone from the photo and the stone from the collection. The comparison was based on a matching of the structure, color and granularity of the stones. If it was difficult to determine the stone using this method, various Internet sites with a description of the architectural object were used, where it was stated which stone was used for a certain element in this architectural object. The description of all stones that were identified is presented below [8].

Granite is the most commonly used igneous rock. It can be easily distinguished by its crystalline-granular massive structure. Granite contains feldspar, mica and quartz. Color varies from gray to pink and bright red.

Gabbro is an igneous rock that is dark or black in color with a greenish tint. The rock is calculous and very durable, used for cladding buildings, sidewalks, and creating monuments.

Limestone-shell is a carbonate rock of sedimentary origin. The rock is durable and does not dissolve in water. The main varieties of limestone are organogenic limestone, chalk and calcareous tuff. A representative of organogenic limestone is a limestone-shell, light, porous, white, yellow or gray, almost entirely composed of large mollusk shells or their fragments. It is used in the manufacture of wall cladding slabs.

Marble is a metamorphic rock. Colored marble (i.e. gray, pink, red and cream) is quite common. White, green and blue marbles are rare. The color of marble depends on the impurities it contains. The structure is crystalline-granular. Marble is one of the best facing and decorative materials and is highly polished. It is used for making slabs, steps and monuments.

Rhyolite is a rock that is typical for young volcanic areas. It consists of a dense groundmass and relatively large inclusions of quartz, dark mica, etc.

Gabbro-diabase is a fine-grained volcanic rock, its chemical and mineral composition is close to basalt.

2. Architectural excursion around Berdsk

An excursion is an activity in which you go through a place (such as a building or a city) in order to see and learn about the different parts of it [3; 5].

The excursion created in my project provides opportunities to develop observation skills and perceive the beauty of the world around us. The excursion is suitable not only for people who want to get a new angle on, but also for foreigners who want to get acquainted with Berdsk.

In order to develop geological knowledge of people, I selected architectural objects that were created using natural stones that in my opinion are the most visual and interesting and worked out an excursion itinerary taking into account historical facts that include brief information about the objects.

The excursion itinerary (see Appendix 3):

Object 1. Monuments and memorials of Victory Park (see Appendix 4).

1. Monument to the Border Troops.
2. The cross installed in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
3. Memorial of Glory.
4. Founding Stone.

Victory Park is a memorial complex dedicated to the residents of Berdsk who died during the Great Patriotic War. The first stone of gray marble was laid in May 1973. Walking alleys converge to the central object – a memorial sculptural ensemble located on a small square. The Eternal Flame burns here, next to it are the figures of four soldiers holding a tombstone with the legendary inscription “No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten”.

The bases of the cross and the Monument to the Border Troops are made of gabbro-diabase. The Monument to the Border Troops and Founding Stone are examples landmarks where solid stone is used. The Memorial of Glory is made of gray marble slabs. The plaques with the names of the cities located next to this memorial are made of gray granite.

Object 2. The entrance to the former “Vega” factory, Lenin Street, 89/1 (see Appendix 5).

In November 1941 Kharkov factory No. 296, which produced optical-mechanical aviation appliances throughout the war, was evacuated to Berdsk. The State Union Berdsk Radio factory was created on its basis, on October 14, 1946.

The Berdsk radio factory was the only enterprise of this kind in the country. This is evidenced by the fact that more than once Berdsk residents had to carry out especially important tasks of the government, for instance, they made the souvenir radio products for participants in the 1980 Olympics, which took place in Moscow. This factory made Berdsk famous throughout the country, turning it into a prosperous industrial city with optimistic prospects.

The walls of staircases are lined with slabs of limestone-shell. Also, marble of various colors was used to create the stairs.

Object 3. Administration building of Berdsk, Maxim Gorky Street, 9 (see Appendix 6).

The Administration building and the Central Department Store are examples of Soviet era buildings. Inside the building, pink granite was used to create part of the floor; white and gray marble slabs were used to cover the walls.

Object 4. Central Department Store, Ostrovsky Street, 69A (see Appendix 7).

Inside the building, parts of gray, white, red and pink marble were used to create the floor and walls.

Object 5. Berdsky Construction Trust, Lenin Street, 69 (see Appendix 8).

JSC "Berdsky Construction Trust" was founded in August 1959. Almost immediately the young enterprise entered itself into the history of the region. It built an electromechanical factory, a chemical factory and a radio factory, the Central Department Store, the Palace of Culture “Rodina”, “Parus” and “Sibiryak” health centers, schools, kindergartens and hospitals.

Pieces of gray, white and pink marble were used to create the floor.

Object 6. Memorial complex “Vegovsky Square”, intersection of Lenin Street and Lineynaya Street (see Appendix 9).

There is a bust of the Russian scientist, Professor Alexander Popov, in the center of the composition. There is a plaque with the emblems of the Berdsk radio factory “Vega” and lines by the poet Anatoly Sorokin on the left. There is a tablet with a fragment of the factory's chronicle on the right. The entire composition is framed by a semicircular wall made of red granite with the dates of the factory’s operation: 1946 – 2001.

Object 7. Memorial to the Military Brotherhood of Defenders of the Motherland, Lunaya Street (Square near the Palace of Culture “Rodina”) (see Appendix 10).

The memorial is dedicated to the residents of the city who died while fulfilling their international duty in local wars.

The memorial has a semi-oval base, framed by two decorative arches, between which is located the sculptural composition “The Cranes Are Flying”, showing how the souls of fallen soldiers are reincarnated into flying cranes. There is also a third arch, located near a semicircular pink granite axis, on which there is an inscription with the name of the memorial. They are located behind the main sculptural composition. The flower pots located near the memorial are made of marble aggregates. They are examples of architectural objects that were created stone processing waste.

Object 8. Monument to the liquidators of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Lunaya Street (see Appendix 11).

The monument was erected in honor of Berdsk liquidators who fulfilled their civil duty and protected the world from the possible consequences of a terrible disaster. The stone of the monument is a sand-colored rhyolite. On this stone there is a plaque made of gabbro-diabase on which there is the inscription. The flower pots located near the memorial are made of marble aggregates. They are examples of architectural objects that were created stone processing waste.

I set up a booklet, based on the research of the project, that includes information about architectural objects and stones that were used in their creation (see Appendix 12).

The excursion worked out in the project can be done on your own. It does not require a guide. Every person who is interested in this topic can visit these architectural objects in any order and explore these places based on the information provided in the project. The excursion can be either on foot or using transport.

This chapter highlights the various types of natural stones such as granite, gabbro, limestone-shell, marble, rhyolite and gabbro-diabase, and their specific uses in architecture. In addition, it presents the architectural excursion in Berdsk, focusing on the stones used in creating these buildings and constructions, and historic information about them. The exploration emphasizes the significance of observing and appreciating the beauty of the world around us through architectural design and natural materials.

CONCLUSION

Thanks to the research carried out in this project, I had found out which stones are most often used in the architecture and interior of buildings in Berdsk. I had explored the geological characteristics of lithoidal building materials and had found objects that were created using natural stones.

I concluded that nowadays natural stones are widely used in the architecture, especially in the creation of memorials and monuments. During many years stones have influenced the external appearance of cities. They make the cities more solemn and graceful.

Based on the collected material, I worked out an architectural excursion of the town, which, in my opinion, will be useful for everyone. The excursion around Berdsk, focusing on the architectural objects built using natural stones, not only provides valuable insights into geological characteristics but also promotes tourism and cultural heritage preservation.

REFERENCE LITERATURE

1. Английская лексика по теме Архитектурные особенности [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://englishart.ru/angliyskie-slova-na-temu-arkhitekturnye-osobennosti/ (дата обращения: 21.12.23)
2. Архитектура и камень [Electronic Resource]. URL:  https://www.vgpress.ru/arhitektura-i-kamen/ (дата обращения: 14.10.23)
3. Значение и функции экскурсии для туристической индустрии [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://spravochnick.ru/turizm/tehnologiya_okazaniya_ekskursionnyh_uslug/znachenie_i_funkcii_ekskursii_dlya_turistskoy_industrii/ (дата обращения: 04.11.23)
4. Классификация природного камня [Electronic Resource]. URL:  https://kromlex.ru/news/klassifikacija-prirodnogo-kamnja/ (дата обращения: 30.09.23)
5. Понятие экскурсии [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://exkursia.turizmplus.ru/exkursiya/ (дата обращения: 17.11.23)
6. Природный камень в архитектуре и строительстве [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.artmarblestudio.ru/articles/prirodnyj-kamen-v-arxitekture-i-stroitelstve/ (дата обращения: 14.10.23)
7. Природный камень, его виды и применение [Electronic Resource]. URL:  https://gantelstan.ru/baza-znanij/137-natural-stones (дата обращения: 30.09.23)
8. List of rock types [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rock_types (дата обращения: 13.12.23)
9. Rock [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.britannica.com/science/rock-geology (дата обращения: 02.11.23)

TEXTS UNDER STUDY

1. Мультитран [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.multitran.com/ (дата обращения: 06.01.24)
2. Памятники [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://detberdsk.ucoz.ru/index/pamjatniki/0-18 (дата обращения: 24.09.23)
3. Список культурных объектов города Бердска [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.okberdsk.ru/nasl/ (дата обращения: 23.09.23)
4. Cambridge Dictionary [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ (дата обращения: 23.12.23)
5. Oxford English Dictionary [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.oed.com/?tl=true
6. Oxford Learners’ Dictionary [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/ (дата обращения: 25.11.23)
7. Things to do in Berdsk [Electronic Resource]. URL: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g2379318-Activities-Berdsk_Novosibirsk_Oblast_Siberian_District.html (дата обращения: 23.09.23)