In addition to practicing architecture, principal and founder of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau AIA, searches the world to learn more about the buildings and cities humans have created, from the modern era to pre-history. Through writing, expert interviews, and video documentation, we hope to make our journey available and accessible. Our mission is to understand the environments humans have created throughout history, learn from the successes and failures, and contribute to designing a better future.
Join Principal Architect, Mitchell Rocheleau in this interview with Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid, author of "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History", Historian and honorary fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford. We discuss the importance of the creation of cities, early beginnings of Mesopotamia as a place and the incredible technologies from irrigation and writing systems that were essential to the environment. Watch to understand why studying ancient Mesopotamia is vital for our understanding of our present societies and how evolution of these creations has affected our current life and the ways in which we access basic needs.
Mitchell Rocheleau of ROST Architects dives into the fascinating story of Central Park's creation, from its inception as a public space for all New Yorkers to its role as a restorative haven and symbol of democratic ideals. Why is Central Park important for our generation to understand? Through collective self-awareness and community intention Central Park's design created an enduring legacy as a place for recreation, social interaction, and civic engagement. Through reconnection with the natural world and exposure to nature in an individual's life, New York was able to make a cultural statement for restorative public space within a city.
Most of what makes Amsterdam attractive to travelers can be attributed to the Dutch society of the 17th century, which we call the Dutch Golden Age. It was the age of artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer. This society transformed a swampy bog into one of the world's most beloved and charming cities. The artists of the Dutch Golden Age painted unapologetically realistic scenes of everyday life in their cities. Many of these scenes portray people in their homes and towns, performing daily life's unspectacular, mundane tasks together.
Architect Mitchell Rocheleau discusses the importance behind Architecture History. Architecture can provide glimpses into human history, allowing us to understand the evolution and development of the human species. Learn the stories Architecture History tells us, from prehistoric structures to contemporary architecture, we can see what was important to humans at the time.
Alexandria is often overlooked when in comparison with ancient Athens or Rome. However, this city does deserve some further investigation due to its interesting philosophies, ideas, and concepts that it was conceived upon, primarily those of Alexander the Great, and how he conceived the city, how he founded it, and how he began to lay out the preliminary planning of the city.
Recent restoration and analysis of the Parthenon, in tandem with other discoveries, have uncovered a wealth of new information regarding this iconic architectural masterpiece. Much of this information challenges and presents new perspectives about the conventional understanding of the structure.
Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, meets with Mike Parker Pearson. Mike is an English archeologist specializing in the study of Neolithic Britain, most notably Stonehenge. He was the director at the Stonehenge Riverside Project and the author of several books, including Stonehenge - A New Understanding.
Architect Mitchell Rocheleau travels to the Roman Baths in Bath, England, to uncover the stories about the people who engineered, built, and used this stunning Roman bathing complex. High-quality on-site footage and detailed expert interviews reveal captivating insights into this ancient site. This in-depth documentary will give viewers a genuine appreciation and understanding of this architectural marvel.
Shrouded in mystery, the pyramids are a captivating enigma calling us to unravel their secrets. Built over 4,500 years ago, they are one of the best-known manifestations of a civilization's belief systems in the built environment. The Egyptians had a distinct perspective on human existence and the afterlife that was reflected in their architecture.
Notre Dame Cathedral had the power to embed itself into more than just the cityscape. It made its way into the hearts of the people of Paris. When the Cathedral was engulfed in flames on April 15th, 2019, we were reminded that the architecture around us impacts our lives beyond functionality. Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, discusses the history, architecture, and the architectural power of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, meets with Jonathan Foyle, lecturer, historian, and broadcaster. Author of "Lincoln Cathedral: The Biography of a Great Building."
Investigating why our ancestors began building architecture and congregating in cities can reveal fundamental insights about human nature. There is no better place to start than with the development of the first cities in ancient Mesopotamia. The city has always been where people congregate, and ideas, innovation, and progress flourish. People come to the city to reinvent and express themselves and test and share their ideas, wherein, simultaneously, culture evolves and civilization progresses. Since their conception, cities have always been nuclei of human advancement.
Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, discusses the significance of The Grand Louvre designed by Architect I.M. Pei, the history of the Louvre, design process, design theory and ideas behind the project.
Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, meets with Keiran Murphy, a nationally recognized historian on Frank Lloyd Wright and his estate in Spring Green, Wisconsin, home of the Taliesin Fellowship.
Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, meets with John Lobell, a professor at Pratt Institute and expert on Louis Kahn, to discuss the architecture and philosophy of Louis Kahn.
What makes Stonehenge so captivating? This enigmatic Neolithic monument offers a window into our past and the lives of our ancestors. Stonehenge provides insights into their values, societal norms, and psychology. It unveils their astonishing level of sophistication, intricate communication networks, complex collaboration methods, and a deeply intuitive community with a profound understanding of materials, construction techniques, ecology, and astronomy. This megalithic marvel has the potential to enlighten us about our own journey and the evolution of our species.
I want to take you on a journey back in time in the southwest of present-day Britain, near a bend in the river Avon. Here, a natural geological process dispelled warm, mineral-rich water from deep within the earth.
The ancient people who inhabited this area believed these healing and mystical waters were a gift from the gods and were presided over by an ancient goddess named Sulis.
Why is Taliesin West significant in the history of American culture and Architecture? Taliesin West was a petri dish breeding a new lifestyle based on freedom, connection with nature, and a spirit of innovation. It challenged the conventional way of living at the time through its philosophies, daily rituals, and the work that was produced there. Most importantly, its architecture was a direct reflection of this lifestyle.
Throughout its existence, Venice and its people have had a unifying narrative: the struggle against water. Although the rising sea levels have resulted in death, destruction, and flooding, it has also served a valuable role as the collective antagonist of the Venetian people. It is human nature to band together when faced with a common challenge or adversary. Through necessity and under the constant threat of rising tides, Venetians developed ingenuity, a work ethic, and a common purpose. The bond created by this struggle has been one of the key ingredients to the progress and prosperity of Venice.
