Environmental Wind Problems Around Buildings.

The rapid increase in height of city office buildings in recent years has resulted in a number of environmental prob­lems. One of these problems is unpleasant wind conditions in pedestrian areas. Such phenomena must be avoided. Wind tunnels, specially prepared to produce the characte­ristic of natural wind, have played an important role in predicting wind problems around buildings. There is an urgent need for architects to give serious consideration to wind effects around the buildings.

PAUL'S CATHEDRAL IN LONDON

Si. Paul's Cathedral stands on the site of former Saxon and Norman churches. The latter were destroyed in the Great Fire in 1666 and the present building completed in 1710. is the work of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wien. Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul's. The 110-meter high dome, containing a remarkable Whispering Gallery, is a prominent landmark towering above the many-storeyed buildings which lines the Thames bank,

Christopher Wren was an architect who had built many buildings. In 1675, he started on his greatest work. For 35 years the building of St. Paul's Cathedral went on. and Wren was an old man before it was finished.

From far away you can see the huge dome with a golden ball and cross on the top. The inside of the cathedral is very beautiful. After looking around, you can climb 263 steps to the Whispering Gallery, which runs round the dome. Il is called so because if someone whispers close to the wall on one side, a person with an ear close to the wall on the other side can hear what is said. Then, if you climb another 118 steps, you will be able to stand outside tut dome and look over London.'

But not only can you climb up. you can also go down underneath the cathedral, into the crypt. Here are buried many great men, including Christopher Wien himself.

EXERCISES

I.Answer the following questions:

1.What was Christopher Wren? 2. How long did it take lo build St. Paul's Cathedral? 3. What is the height of the building? 4 What kind of a gallery does this cathedral contain? 5. What is the acoustic phenomenon of the gallery?

II. Translate the ten into Russian using a dictionary:

London has an indefinable character and charm of its own. In this historic city the modern rubs shoulders with the old. The first mayor of London was elected in 1193 but for more than a thousand years before that London had been the place of importance. London survived the Plague which killed nearly 100.000people and the Great Fire which followed. Little damage occurred during World War I, but World War 1 brought tremendous destruction. Many buildings of great historic value were laid in ruins and today the face of London is changed.

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