THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE WAR
In a separate realm from the typical connotation of “Architecture”, we dive into the architecture of trenches in order to show the bigger picture of architecture in this time period (The Great War). Architecture is about how space can have an impact on people to not only provide shelter, but also provide an experience. At this point in history the most prominent world “experience” was the war, and there were a lot of technological developments leading up to and during this war that played a role in the way it turned out, as well as the development of the people and the built environment. We are able to look back at the technological advancements that were coming out in the time of this war and not only see the impact they had in the world, but specifically how they had an impact on the changes made to trench design. Trenches and trench warfare adapted and changed the same way that buildings in the past have. The argument that technology determines the way that people choose to design is commonly debated in the "typical" architectural world, but this landscaping field and new realm of designing and building for architecture is a strong case for the impact technology has on design choices. Adaptation in war was a life or death decision rather than an aesthetic or experiential decision. Technology in this era did more than add to construction possibilities, it was a direct reaction for how to be better at war than your opponent. The physical built environment of these trenches did not use many new materials, but the technological advancements that extended beyond architecture still played a role in the process of designing, and the way in which the soldiers embraced their new lives in the trenches.
AERIAL VIEW OF THE TRENCH LINES
COMPONENTS OF A TRENCH
SECTION CUT OF A TRENCH
Just like there are fundamental design components to a carefully considered basilica (or other building type for that matter), the design elements of trenches for the Great War developed into a pretty common standard, but allowed for adaptation as many trenches still had to make some alterations due to differing terrain. These much-needed components include: the Front Wall, Front Line, Second Line, Machine-Gun Nests, Communication Trenches, Artillery Trenches, and Saps.
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The front wall was often a 10-foot-high parapet lined with sandbags that covered the wall as well as the ground above it.
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The front line was the main fire trench. This line was almost always dug in a zig-zag pattern and into different bays in as a battle tactic. This was a defense technique that eliminated the ability for the opposer to stand at one end with a machine gun a take down the whole front line.
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The second line was also called the support line. Small dugouts in the land provided shelter, places of rest, areas for field doctors, and telephone posts.
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Machine-gun nests were two man raised stations located between the front and second line. They helped spot opposing advances and were always on quick rotational assignments because falling asleep at the most was detrimental to the defense.
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Communication trenches were the paths that connected the front and second line. Transportation of men, equipment, and supplies would pass through these parts of the trenches and would allow for a transitioning of shifts for soldiers that needed to go to the support line.
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Artillery Trenches were located in the furthest back because that is where the larger artillery was placed. These weapons were continually developed and are part of the reason there was a need for trenches in the first place.
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Lastly, Saps were one of the most dangerous elements for a trench. Saps extended forward into “no-mans land” and were used as listening posts. Soldiers would be sent forward to gather intel at night and used these posts to report back to the main trench.
The Great War was a completely new style of fighting for war because the emphasis switched from having a strong offensive to having the ability to defend (hence the need for quality trenches). Sumps and duckboards were needed for drainage, pre-fabricated steel was needed for quick shelter, and communication was key to success and safety. As we take a look at the different significant battle points in the war and the areas in which technology had great impact, it will become clearer how each feature of a trench was specifically adapting to the ever-changing world around it. These men had to occupy these trenches for months at a time. The trenches became their homes, hospitals, places of rest, areas of leisure when there was down time (which there was a lot of), and most prominently their new battle field. They had a lifelong impact on the people stationed there, so it is important to recognize the value of trenches as a different type of architectural field, and recognize what went into the decision-making process for trench designs.