architecture neoclassicism

What is/ was Modern Architecture?

In other words, are we still today in the era of Modern Architecture, or is it over,

having been replaced by some form of "Post-Modernism"?

Where do we locateModern Architecture?

• Gothic, about 1150 to 1350 • Renaissance, about 1400 to 1600

• Baroque, about 1600 to 1700 • Rococo, about 1700 to 1750

• Neo-Classicism, about 1700 to 1800 • 19 th Century, 1800 to 1900

• Modernism, about 1900 to ?

Design Environments before the Industrial Revolution

(1) Neo-classicism(2) Picturesque(3) Gothic Revival

(1) NEO(1) NEO--CLASSICISMCLASSICISM

Neo-classicismDefinition: Definition: �� NeoNeo--classical, or "new" classical, architecture classical, or "new" classical, architecture

describes buildings that are describes buildings that are inspired by the inspired by the classical architecture particularly of ancient classical architecture particularly of ancient Greece and Rome. Greece and Rome.

�� A NeoA Neo--classical building is likely to have some or all of classical building is likely to have some or all of these features: these features: �� Symmetrical Symmetrical shapeshape�� Triangular Triangular pediment�� Domed roofDomed roof�� The use of the The use of the Greek & Roman OrdersGreek & Roman Orders�� Tall columns/ ordersTall columns/ orders that rise the full height of the that rise the full height of the

buildingbuilding

OsterleyOsterley ParkPark , Hounslow, London, Robert Adam, Hounslow, London, Robert Adam

NeoNeo--classicismclassicism

� Neoclassicism represents simplification after Baroque and Rococo:

� straight lines are favored over curves, � volumes are less often contrasted, � adornments are fewer, � symmetry becomes a must � columns and lintels are more frequent than arches, � triangular pediments than semi-circular ones. � balustrades crown buildings.


Origin� During the 1500s, the famous Renaissance architect

Andrea Palladio awakened an interest in the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome.

� Palladio's ideas became the model for architecture in Europe for many centuries.

� In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the newly-formed United States drew upon classical ideals to construct grand government buildings as well as smaller private homes.

United States CapitolUnited States Capitol , Washington, D.C., 1793, Washington, D.C., 1793--presentpresent

NeoNeo--classicismclassicism� The neoclassical movement that produced

Neoclassical architecture began in the mid-18th century, (1750 -1850)

� Reaction against both the surviving Baroque and Rococo styles, and as a desire to return to:� the perceived "purity" of the arts of Rome, � to a lesser extent, 16th century Renaissance

Classicism. � the more vague perception ("ideal") of Ancient

Greek arts (where almost no Western artist had actually been) and


� The theme of neo-classicism:(1) History(2) Purity(3) Rationality(4) Education


(I) History� The rediscovery of the past and the new

history. � The past as an architectural department

store. � Robert Adam (1728-92). Adam as a

neoclassicist and a decorator. � Example; Osterley Park , Hounslow, London,

1762-80.


OsterleyOsterley ParkPark , Hounslow, London, 1762, Hounslow, London, 1762--80 80

Robert AdamRobert Adam

Front elevation




Etruscan room

NeoNeo--classicismclassicismFoundation of Modern Architectural TheoryFoundation of Modern Architectural Theory



Entrance hall


(2) Purity� The classical past as good architecture, and a

source of basic principles.

� The desire to strip away illusion, ambiguity, complexity (Baroque & Rococo)

� Church of St. Genevieve/ The Pantheon , Paris, 1757-90, Jacques-Germain Soufflot(1713-80).


Church of Church of St.GenevieveSt.Genevieve / The Pantheon/ The Pantheon , Paris, 1757, Paris, 1757--90, 90, JacquesJacques--GermainGermain SoufflotSoufflot (1713(1713--80).80).

Front elevation / entry



View up towards dome



Interior court with frescoes


(3) Rationality � Interest in pure geometrical forms and

volumes.

� The "visionary" or "revolutionary" architecture of Etienne-Louis Boullee (1728-99).

� Project for Newton Cenotaph , 1784.


Project for Project for Newton CenotaphNewton Cenotaph , 1784. , 1784.


Royal Royal saltworkssaltworks at Arcat Arc--etet--SenansSenans, 1770s, , 1770s,

ClaudeClaude--Nicolas Nicolas LedouxLedoux [1736[1736--1806]). 1806]).


(4) Education(4) Education�� The teaching responsibilities of design: the duty of the The teaching responsibilities of design: the duty of the

architect or other educated person as a citizen. architect or other educated person as a citizen. �� Explicit teaching: the new museums, including those of Explicit teaching: the new museums, including those of

Thomas Jefferson (1743Thomas Jefferson (1743--1826) at the second Monticello 1826) at the second Monticello (1793(1793--1809), near Charlottesville, Virginia, and Sir John 1809), near Charlottesville, Virginia, and Sir John SoaneSoane in his house in London. in his house in London.

�� The neoclassical capitol: The neoclassical capitol: United States CapitolUnited States Capitol , , Washington, D.C., 1793Washington, D.C., 1793--present, architects: everyone, present, architects: everyone, but especially William Thornton, Benjamin Henry Latrobe but especially William Thornton, Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764(1764--1820), Charles Bulfinch, Thomas U. Walter.1820), Charles Bulfinch, Thomas U. Walter.

NeoNeo--classicismclassicismFoundation of Modern Architectural TheoryFoundation of Modern Architectural Theory

United States CapitolUnited States Capitol , Washington, D.C., 1793, Washington, D.C., 1793--presentpresent

NeoNeo--classicismclassicismSource of InspirationSource of Inspiration

� Architects of the time drew inspiration from a number of architectural building types taken from antiquity:

� Most common resources are:

(1) The Roman triumphal arch.(2) The Greek / Roman temple.

(1) The Roman Triumphal (1) The Roman Triumphal ArchArch

NeoNeo--classicismclassicismThe Building ExampleThe Building Example

Arc de Arc de TriompheTriomphe du Carrousel, Paris du Carrousel, Paris ((1806-08) )

Charles Charles PiercierPiercier and Pierre Francoisand Pierre Francois --Leonard Fontaine Leonard Fontaine

�� Copied the detail of Arch of ConstantineCopied the detail of Arch of Constantine

�� massive rectangular slab of masonry with massive rectangular slab of masonry with three holes in itthree holes in it--the center hole is the the center hole is the main arch, the other two are lower and main arch, the other two are lower and narrower subsidiary arches. narrower subsidiary arches.

�� Four columns, dividing the arches, that Four columns, dividing the arches, that stand on pedestals and rising to an stand on pedestals and rising to an entablature, which breaks out over each entablature, which breaks out over each separate column and at each of those separate column and at each of those points of breaking out carries a carved points of breaking out carries a carved standing figure. standing figure.

(2) The Roman / Greek (2) The Roman / Greek TempleTemple

NeoNeo--classicismclassicismThe Building ExampleThe Building Example

Maison Carree ( 130 AD )� ‘Temple architecture were used widely

as an antique model for architecture. � The best preserved of all Roman

temples is the Corinthian Maison Carreeat Nimes (c. AD 130).

� A typical temple - a rectangular building with an open portico and pediment in front with columns all round - was

� Used as a model for churches widely in the eighteenth century.

� Attracted such bored epithets as 'mere copyism and 'cold imitation' to the Neo classical movement

La Madeleine (1807La Madeleine (1807--1842)1842)�� begun as a church, was continued by Napoleon as a Temple begun as a church, was continued by Napoleon as a Temple

of Glory but was completed as a church in 1842. of Glory but was completed as a church in 1842. �� Direct reference to the Direct reference to the MaisonMaison CarreeCarree, resulting a lifeless , resulting a lifeless

paraphrase of an antique Roman temple. paraphrase of an antique Roman temple.


(a) FRANCE(b) ENGLAND(c) GERMAN

NeoNeo--classicismclassicism(a) France(a) France

�� Most telling images of neoMost telling images of neo--classicism before and prior classicism before and prior to the French Revolution.to the French Revolution.

�� Spearheaded by 2 Spearheaded by 2 architects:architects:

�� ClaudeClaude--Nicolas Nicolas LedouxLedoux(1736(1736--1806)1806)

�� EtienneEtienne--Louis Louis BoulleeBoullee(1728(1728--1799)1799)

�� Architecture as an Architecture as an expressive language.expressive language.

i) Claude Nicholas i) Claude Nicholas LedouxLedoux

LedouxLedoux

�� Revolutionary architect in his approach to the Revolutionary architect in his approach to the architectural ideal made through architectural ideal made through geometrygeometry. .

�� LedouxLedoux was no mere copyist even when he applied was no mere copyist even when he applied conventional details. conventional details.

�� He designed a number of buildings between 1765 He designed a number of buildings between 1765 and 1780 in which he attempted to reconcile the and 1780 in which he attempted to reconcile the traditional elements of French classicism with the traditional elements of French classicism with the new spirit of the antiquenew spirit of the antique. .

LedouxLedoux

Tollhouses (1780Tollhouses (1780’’s)s)�� Explored range of neoExplored range of neo--classical classical

combinations.combinations.

�� Basically cubeBasically cube--like and included temple like and included temple fronts with:fronts with:�� ArcuatedArcuated Palladian windowsPalladian windows

�� PeristylesPeristyles

�� Domes Domes

�� A host of other classical elements.A host of other classical elements.

�� Specialty is in the combination or reSpecialty is in the combination or re--constitution of architectural constitution of architectural arrangement.arrangement.

LedouxLedoux

�� Royal Royal SaltworksSaltworks at at ChauxChaux (1775(1775--1779)1779)

Aerial view showing the salt works which were built at the center of the double D-shaped plan

Director's House, Saltworks, Arc et Senans; note the Banded Doric columns

The curved range of work buildings

LedouxLedoux

�� Chateau de Chateau de BenouvilleBenouville, Calvados , Calvados (1768(1768--75) 75)

�� LedouxLedoux was no mere copyist even when was no mere copyist even when he applied conventional details. he applied conventional details.

�� He designed a number of buildings He designed a number of buildings between 1765 and 1780 in which he between 1765 and 1780 in which he attempted to reconcile the traditional attempted to reconcile the traditional elements of French classicism with the elements of French classicism with the new spirit of the antique. new spirit of the antique.

Besançon. Theater, 1775-79

ii) Etienneii) Etienne--Louis Louis BoulleeBoullee

BoulleeBoullee

�� Architectural visionary of France.Architectural visionary of France.

�� Little built works Little built works –– more of an architectural theorist.more of an architectural theorist.

�� Vision soared beyond conventional means Vision soared beyond conventional means –– designs designs as a form of poetic communication.as a form of poetic communication.

�� UnUn--built abstract projects built abstract projects –– pure studies of pure pure studies of pure geometry.geometry.

�� Utopian ideals Utopian ideals –– architecture must be associated architecture must be associated with politics and the social condition to lead the way with politics and the social condition to lead the way to a new world of better standards.to a new world of better standards.

BoulleeBoullee

�� Cenotaph & Monument for Cenotaph & Monument for Sir Isaac Newton (1784)Sir Isaac Newton (1784)

�� Huge hollow sphere as Huge hollow sphere as metaphorical tribute to the metaphorical tribute to the scientistscientist’’s work.s work.

�� Monumental scale with stripped Monumental scale with stripped down classicizing elements.down classicizing elements.

�� Building to house a planetarium Building to house a planetarium and shrine.and shrine.

Exterior View: note rows of cypress trees ringing the sphere

Interior View - Night: Internal illumination system to simulate the solar system.

BoulleeBoulleeBibliothequeBibliotheque du du RoiRoi (The National Library)(The National Library)

�� 17881788�� Library hall consisting of tunnelLibrary hall consisting of tunnel--like space, defined by walls of stacks like space, defined by walls of stacks

and a coffered barrel vault.and a coffered barrel vault.

�� Between wall and vault, full length colonnade to highlight the vBetween wall and vault, full length colonnade to highlight the vastness astness of the overall scale.of the overall scale.

iii) Alexanderiii) Alexander --Pierre Pierre VignonVignon

VignonVignon

La Madeleine (1807La Madeleine (1807--1842)1842)�� begun as a church, was continued by begun as a church, was continued by

Napoleon as a Temple of Glory but Napoleon as a Temple of Glory but was completed as a church in 1842. was completed as a church in 1842.

�� Direct reference to the Direct reference to the MaisonMaisonCarreeCarree, resulting a lifeless , resulting a lifeless paraphrase of an antique Roman paraphrase of an antique Roman temple. temple.

�� Theorist Winckelmann would Theorist Winckelmann would disagree with such approach of disagree with such approach of direct direct copyismcopyism. .

iv) Jacquesiv) Jacques--GermainGermainSoufflotSoufflot1713 1713 -- 17801780

SoufflotSoufflot

Church of St. Genevieve/ Pantheon, Church of St. Genevieve/ Pantheon, Paris (1757Paris (1757--92) 92)

�� Remarked on lessons from gothic Remarked on lessons from gothic churches:churches:�� Truth of structure in Roman revival Truth of structure in Roman revival

mode.mode.

�� Question the validity of Roman classical Question the validity of Roman classical design. design.

�� Plan resembling St MarkPlan resembling St Mark’’s in Venices in Venice�� Greek crossGreek cross

�� Domes supported by single columns with Domes supported by single columns with straight entablaturesstraight entablatures

�� Lightness of structure derived from Lightness of structure derived from gothic examples gothic examples

SoufflotSoufflot

Church of St. Genevieve/ Pantheon, Church of St. Genevieve/ Pantheon, Paris (1757Paris (1757--92) 92)

�� Plan resembling St MarkPlan resembling St Mark’’s in Venices in Venice�� Greek crossGreek cross

�� Domes supported by single columns with Domes supported by single columns with straight entablaturesstraight entablatures

�� Lightness of structure derived from gothic Lightness of structure derived from gothic examples examples

�� Gothic lightness with Greek/Roman styling.Gothic lightness with Greek/Roman styling.

�� Interior Roman in feeling and rich in Interior Roman in feeling and rich in decoration.decoration.

�� To compare with Sir John To compare with Sir John SoaneSoane’’ss Bank of Bank of EnglandEngland

NeoNeo--classicismclassicism(b) England(b) England

NeoNeo--classicismclassicismEnglandEngland

�� England made the most determined effort to England made the most determined effort to apply the new archaeological information to the apply the new archaeological information to the creation of creation of a new architecture directly inspired a new architecture directly inspired by the antique. by the antique.

�� Sometimes they Sometimes they changed their context to changed their context to garden buildings and interior space. garden buildings and interior space.

�� There were early architects used information There were early architects used information from previous architects like Palladio, but later from previous architects like Palladio, but later generation preferred to study the antique models generation preferred to study the antique models from first hand. from first hand.

NeoNeo--classicism (England)classicism (England)Building ExamplesBuilding Examples

Bank of England, London Bank of England, London (1788(1788--1833)1833)

Sir John Sir John SoaneSoane

�� Evident are the basic geometric Evident are the basic geometric shapes of the composition.shapes of the composition.

�� Flat surface expression stressing the Flat surface expression stressing the crisp outline.crisp outline.

�� Pilasters, entablatures and coffers Pilasters, entablatures and coffers reduced to a thin diagrammatic reduced to a thin diagrammatic patterns of grooves and fretwork.patterns of grooves and fretwork.

�� Rigorist tendencies evident.Rigorist tendencies evident.

NeoNeo--classicism Englandclassicism EnglandBuilding ExamplesBuilding Examples

ChiswickChiswick Hall/ HouseHall/ HouseLord BurlingtonLord Burlington�� Lord Burlington had anticipated the Lord Burlington had anticipated the

new wave of enthusiasm for the new wave of enthusiasm for the antique. antique.

�� His knowledge of the antique is His knowledge of the antique is based on Palladio's architecture and based on Palladio's architecture and his codified and illuminated drawings his codified and illuminated drawings of the antique. of the antique.

NeoNeo--classicismclassicism(c) Germany(c) Germany

Neoclassicism in GermanyNeoclassicism in Germany

�� Architects in Germany developed a severe but Architects in Germany developed a severe but inventive style in the 1790s that was indebted to inventive style in the 1790s that was indebted to LedouxLedoux..

�� As well as to Winckelmann's call for a return to As well as to Winckelmann's call for a return to the spirit of the spirit of ancient Greek architectureancient Greek architecture. .

�� The great monument of the Berlin school was The great monument of the Berlin school was the Brandenburg Gate (1789the Brandenburg Gate (1789--93) by 93) by LanghansLanghans

NeoNeo--classicism (Germany)classicism (Germany)Building ExamplesBuilding Examples

Brandenburg Gate (1789Brandenburg Gate (1789 --93)93)LanghansLanghans�� Distantly inspired by the Distantly inspired by the

propylaeapropylaea on the Acropolis in on the Acropolis in Athens, Athens,

�� it was the first of the it was the first of the ceremonial Doric gateways to ceremonial Doric gateways to rise in modern Europe. rise in modern Europe.

�� The Greek revival in Germany The Greek revival in Germany was linked with the growth of was linked with the growth of Prussian nationalism and Prussian nationalism and imbued with the supposed imbued with the supposed moral virtues of the Doric moral virtues of the Doric order. order.

Karl Friedrich Karl Friedrich SchinkelSchinkel

Karl Friedrich Karl Friedrich SchinkelSchinkel

AltesAltes Museum (1824Museum (1824 --1828)1828)

�� Karl Friedrich Karl Friedrich SchinkelSchinkel transformed transformed Berlin with a series of monuments in Berlin with a series of monuments in a rationalist Greek style.a rationalist Greek style.

�� Facade in the form of an open Facade in the form of an open colonnade of nineteen bays; with its colonnade of nineteen bays; with its long but undemonstrative Ionic long but undemonstrative Ionic colonnade colonnade

(2) THE PICTURESQUE(2) THE PICTURESQUE

The PicturesqueThe Picturesque

(1)(1) The English Landscape GardenThe English Landscape Garden�� The new English garden: a reaction against French The new English garden: a reaction against French and Dutch formal gardens of the 17th century.and Dutch formal gardens of the 17th century.�� The architectural impact of the Picturesque was the The architectural impact of the Picturesque was the new new emphasis it placed on architecture as part of an emphasis it placed on architecture as part of an environment. environment. �� The Picturesque tradition of England created the The Picturesque tradition of England created the English landscape gardenEnglish landscape garden..�� A variety of different kinds of structure were placed A variety of different kinds of structure were placed in relation to in relation to carefully composed plantingscarefully composed plantings in order to in order to capture the effect of a painting by Claude or capture the effect of a painting by Claude or PoussinPoussin. . �� Henry Hoare's Henry Hoare's StourheadStourhead was an outstanding was an outstanding example of this approach to gardening and garden example of this approach to gardening and garden architecture. architecture.


�� Stourhead House and Gardens, Stourhead House and Gardens, Stourton, Stourton,

WarminsterWarminster


�� Kew Gardens, SurreyKew Gardens, Surrey�� Chinese Pagoda, 1763Chinese Pagoda, 1763�� Sir William ChambersSir William Chambers


(2) The Concept of the Picturesque(2) The Concept of the Picturesque�� Contemporary with neoContemporary with neo--classicism (England) classicism (England)

�� Intellectual underpinnings: a Intellectual underpinnings: a new concept of new concept of naturenature (nature as life; the (nature as life; the genius locigenius loci/ spirit of the / spirit of the place), place),

�� new thinking about aestheticsnew thinking about aesthetics, a new , a new appreciation of historical and cultural diversity. appreciation of historical and cultural diversity.

�� The modern concept of style. Exoticism and The modern concept of style. Exoticism and nationalism.nationalism.


(3) Picturesque (3) Picturesque AssociationismAssociationism�� The transfer of picturesque composition from the The transfer of picturesque composition from the

garden to the housegarden to the house and the invention of an and the invention of an aesthetic theory (aesthetic theory (associationismassociationism) to account for ) to account for its appeal. its appeal.

�� FonthillFonthill Abbey, Wiltshire, Eng., 1795Abbey, Wiltshire, Eng., 1795--1807, by 1807, by James Wyatt for William Beckford.James Wyatt for William Beckford.

(3) GOTHIC REVIVAL(3) GOTHIC REVIVAL

Gothic RevivalGothic Revival

� Adaptation occurred after 1800 – approximately 1830’s to 1850’s.

� Style very particular to place and building typology.� From supposition that Gothic architecture was an

indigenous style of Northern Europe� Revivalism tendencies hinged on:

� Style as development of Northern culture – patriotism� Style best suited to a northern climate and colder

zone.� New material of construction:

� Gothic style – skeletal articulation and tensile structure renders itself to be expressed in iron as the new material in the industrial age.

Gothic RevivalGothic RevivalContributions to modern thoughts of architecture

� Free planning� Asymmetrical massing� Varied silhouettes� Plasticity of forms� Exploitation of colour and texture in use of indigenous

stones.� Style kept alive a sense of craftsmanship at a time of

mass production was beginning to alter the age old habits of the building industry.

� Style more prevalent in England and America. To be used in the design of churches and country houses.

� Classical style for public buildings and mansions.

LyndhurstTarrytown, New York 1838 and 1864-65


House of Parliament, London

Sir Charles Barry assisted by A. W. N. Pugin1835-67

Gothic Details

THE ENDTHE END……..

architecture neoclassicism

Documents

neoclassicism4 education

neoclassicism3 rationality

neoclassicismroyal saltworks

neoclassical architecture

good architecture

era of modern architecture

architecture of ancient

jacquesgermain soufflot