Indigo Jones and the Classical Language of Architecture

Roman architecture was like nothing else in the ancient world. The Persians, Egyptians, Greek and Etruscans all had immense architecture. The grandeur of their buildings, though, was largely external. Buildings were built to be massive when viewed from the outside, their architects had to rely on building a post-and-lintel system, which means that they used two upright posts, like columns, with a horizontal block, which was also known as a lintel, was laid across the top. An example of the post-and-lintel system would be the ancient Greek Temple in Paestum, Italy.

While the sculptures in the courtyard and gardens tell stories of Greek past, they were mixed with the new style of Rococo. Rococo flaunted happiness, nobility and ornate appearance (Fiero 312, 314). On the palace grounds cherubs are seen dancing reflecting a sense of happiness (Perouse de Montclos 417). Inside the palace classic Greek culture is blended with new ornate design (Perouse de Montclos 285). This new design brought new life to the Classic design. The new design was seen reflected in paintings, sculptures, and interior design of the

The building is four stories high made of brick, tile, and concrete. The east façade also has Classical features such as a frieze, dentils, cornice, raking cornice, entablature and an architrave. The front of the façade was adorned with floral coffers, corbels, as well as post and lintels (Photo 2).

The reception area is an open ballroom with 30-foot ceilings with exposed reclaimed beams and a section of the room with gorgeous, floor-to-ceiling windows an ornate, grand crystal chandelier. The room has five, oversized fireplaces and beautifully crafted wood floors that are great for dancing. Enjoy the rustic décor throughout with ornate wood carved walls, soft, white lights and several stained glass windows purchased from Yale University. This wedding venue can seat up to 250 guests.

types of arch designs that are commonly found within Gothic architecture are the lancet arch, which is simply a steeply pointed arch, the equilateral arch, the flamboyant arch and the depressed arch as seen in the King’s College Chapel. (see figure 5) Due to the new design of supporting the weight of the ceiling through the columns and flying buttresses, there was no need for walls made of heavy materials. With all the columns and archways in place, the structure took on a skeletal look. This gave way to expanding the once small openings for windows to an expanse of window space providing plenty of light to the interior of the structure. This space was commonly filled with stained glass. From this, stained glass

Columns have been used since the classical period and are still used today in many old and new buildings. Two buildings that use these columns are The Jefferson Memorial and the Supreme Court( Doc 1.). There are three different types of columns. The Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. Ancient Greeks also invented other devices that have an impact on our world today. Some of these are roads, calendars, and architecture. All of these examples are things that are useful in our everyday life.

The building itself uses an abundance of straight lines that give it a very neat and sleek finish. It is perfectly symmetrical, having a broad staircase with granite steps going right down from the second level to the front of the building. Written on these stairs are the words Invent, Discover, and Remember. Right next to this staircase, placed on each side are some brilliant green plants which wrap around the entire building and make it look very appealing. The building has several tower like sections that have upward sloping roofs that give it a bit of a medieval castle look. Made mostly of red brick and a yellow looking stone, this also gives the building the look of a castle. It also has lots of windows that give a welcoming feeling. There are also six bright lights which hang down from the second and third levels which add to that welcoming

elegance, and color. The structure is an octagonal exterior wall placed under a golden dome. The

The classical style of the ancient Athens, derived from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome in the 15th century, has had a universal impact on many cultures during previous time periods. The classical period reflected traditional forms focused on symmetry and elegance; it flourished during the time of the Renaissance through artist such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo De Vinci. The artists’ main goal was to attain the absolute beauty in their art by showing emotion through detail, almost through perfection. Some examples of well-known classical arts during the Renaissance were ‘Belvedere Torso’ and the ‘Medici Venus’. In the 17th century the classical style was revived, now called the neo-classical style. It was born in Rome but its popularity flourished all over Europe. The neo-classical movement clashed with the age of Enlightment and continued through the 19th century. The neo-classical principles were based around the same characteristics as the classical arts such as: balance, proportion, order, simplicity, clarity, and reason. It was strongest in architect, sculpture, and decorative arts. The neo- classical style continued to spread throughout the world and became sought after in the 17th and 18th century in countries such as France and The United States, and it influenced some of the greatest government buildings in America.

The ancient Romans created and borrowed fundamental types of concepts that made up buildings. The ideas that the Romans borrowed were basic ideas such as the column. A column is a vertical shaped pillar with the chief design concern of supporting a building. Most columns consist of three parts, the base, the shaft, and the capital. The shaft is usually cylindrical in shape. The Greeks had three basic types of columns, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. All three types have narrow fillets on them. These were small vertical slits that ran the length of the column. The Romans modified the column and added two types, Truscan and Composile. The columns became widely used in homes and temples in Greece and later in Rome ("Architecture").

The history of Architecture started long time ago. The nomadic were groups of people whom move from one place to another in order find shelter and food to survive. As they progress, their techniques to survive evolve. The need for a permanent shelter became vital for a better stability of the group. This is the time when the first structures that provided protection appeared. Post and lintel were the first forms of Architecture, that satisficed the basic needs. Architecture evolved to be more sophisticated and fulfill the people’s needs. Consequently, Architecture evolved throughout different periods such as: Ancient architecture, Romanesque, The medieval, Renaissance, Early modern, and the industrial age, Modernism and Contemporary

Palladian architecture is based on the symmetry and perspective of classical architecture, particularly the temples of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. It was characterised by the use of pediments and symmetry, and proportions that were based on mathematics rather than ornament. “Palladian architecture is recognisable for its classical facades. Some of the defining features of Palladianism include the use of Corinthian columns, decorative motifs such as masked faces and scallop shells. Pediments used over doors and windows, both external and internal. Terms - free-standing stones representing the head and upper torso of the Roman god Terminus, on top of a pillar”. Palladio, its founder “believed that a building and its decoration should be considered as a whole”. He particularly admired the monuments left by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and often used the orders of classical columns in his buildings. Many of these architectural precedents

Many architectural and urban forms and elements that we witness today are largely influenced by how buildings were design and laid in Rome. Not only in terms of its external design that brought upon important messages but the design of interiors and the significance of spatial arrangement of spaces exist within them has created the sense of physical experience in the buildings as well. Rome’s urban development and the rise of architectural movement began during the time of Augustus

The first example of the Classical style that I am going to talk about is Greek architecture.

Classical architecture is something that almost anyone can appreciate because there are traces of it everywhere. Greek and Roman cultures have had a major influence on today's architecture but it all stems from the classical architecture that was created centuries ago. The present example is Neoclassical Architecture which first appeared in 18th century France and in America, it was promoted by the legendary Thomas Jefferson as the Federal style. During the Neoclassical period, the ideas of balance, harmony, and idealism resurfaced and were once again popular. Now sit back and prepare to be taught a thing or two about architecture and where most of the main principles and ideas came