SERAPHINE, GARETH, SAMANTHA

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION The theory of stratification states that people are classified according to different attributes. Being in a class which is higher, lower or middle is absolutely natural and inevitable. It may occur due to wealth, caste, race, gender, age, sexual preferences, education or other factors.

THE STRUCTURE The social structure, certainly back in the day was literally shaped like a triangle with the royals on the top, followed by the priests and those of religion. Next came the military before the middle class. Lastly were the working class including peasants, manual laborers and slaves who worked and served everyone who was above them.

RACISM With the social class system came racism and prejudice towards the peasants and black slaves in early years of the United States of America. The racism continued all the way into the 19 th and 20 th century when the Klu Klux Klan came about, who were a resistance group against the equality for blacks. They wore white robes and triangular hats. The pointed triangular hood also resembles that of a medieval executioner or supposedly a ghost to scare away the black people.

Triangles are used in architecture in many different ways. One of the primary ways in which triangles are used by architects is in roofs. A triangular shaped roof is useful, especially in countries in Europe, so that rainfall can run off the roofs into drains. This stops rain from leaking into buildings and causing damage. In places where there is regular heavy snowfall, roofs tend to be more steep, this is so the heavy snow can run off easier and not build up. The Millau Viaduct, in France, is a bridge that crosses the valley of the river tarn. The architecture uses the triangular shape of the suspension cables for increased structural support. This means the weight of the road way is held by the suspension cables and the weight baring is transferred to the concrete pillars. Tudor period houses and buildings, such as the one to the left, used diagonal beams for structural support, the triangular shape was very loud baring and used extensively through out history even into present day, because the support beams on Tudor period buildings are visible from the outside, we can see how the triangular positioning of the beams work to support the structure.

Triangles have appeared in western culture and architecture since the ancient Greeks and romans. Triangles can be observed as a sign of power and authority. The white house in America reflects older more ancient imperial architecture in the form of old roman and Greek temples, which use triangular sections of architecture supported by large, grand pillars. Within modern architecture, some of the tallest buildings in the world, including the shard in London, the burj khalifa, and the kingdom tower (currently under construction) all use similar conical shapes. This is because this shape is very structurally sound and so buildings can be built to extreme altitudes. The shape of them can be described as very steep isosceles triangles.

Triangles can also be found in sacred and religious architecture. One of the most famous triangular buildings of all time are the Egyptian pyramids of Gaza, however other pyramid temples have been found across the world such as in the Aztec civilisation in Mexico. These temples were made in this way, not only to resemble the great power and wealth of these ancient civilisations but perhaps also to reach out to the heavens. Closer to home, religious architecture using triangular shapes are churches and cathedrals. Church spires are found all over Europe. These are some of the most iconic architectural features of the gothic era in the middle ages. Similarly to the pyramids. They seem to reach out, into the heavens. Perhaps being closer to religious gods and having that religious connection.

THE FIBENACCI SEQUENCE