Buildings Architecture example essay topic

The architect Leopold Eidlitz once said "American architecture is the art of covering one thing with another thing to imitate a third thing, which if genuine would not be desirable" (guide pg. 42). The architects who designed Washington D.C. were true to this. Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Roman Revival, Georgian, Gothic Revival, and Egyptian architectural styles were all used in the creation of the city in the 1800's. The image of Classical order came to be strongly associated with public buildings and their role in elevating public virtue (Understanding Architecture pg. 422). William Thorton's design for the Capital Building captured that image.

"The grandeur, the simplicity, and the beauty... will, I doubt not, give it a preference in your eyes as it has in mine", Thorton exclaimed (geocities. com). The design for the Capital was a work of art but would prove to be difficult to build. In 1803, Benjamin Henry Latrobe took over work on the building (geocities. com). By 1807, he had completed the south wing and had begun repairs and alterations to the north wing (guide pg. 23). Unfortunately on August 24th, 1814 Admiral Cockburn of the British Navy set fire to this "harbor to Yankee Democracy" (guide pg. 23). When Latrobe began reconstruction, it allowed him to explore different Greek styles and to find something suitable for democratic expression (geocities. com).

Latrobe can be seen as the originator of the American search for a purer Classicism (geocities. com). Charles Bulfinch took over construction in 1819 and completed the project in 1829 (guide pg. 22). The White House, which was designed and contracted by James Hoban was first created between 1793 and 1801. Like the Capital Building, Neoclassical styles were used but with an expression of Georgian architecture (great buildings. com).

The White House also was set fire on in 1814 but was not destroyed. By some stroke of luck, a large thunderstorm came over while it was burning and smothered the flames (guide pg. 70). After the war, Hoban set to work on repairing the house. In 1829 the White House was completed again, this time with North and South Portico's (guide pg. 71). The house stands today as it did then and it still houses the president and his family. Classic and Greek Revival styles were also used in many random buildings throughout the city at this time.

Such buildings are the National Portrait Gallery, Tariff Commission, Central Library, American Security and Trust Building, St. John's Church, the Van Ness Mausoleum, and the Treasury Building (guide). Each of the buildings' architecture can closely resemble that of ancient Europe. In 1829, a wealthy English scientist James Smithson left a large sum of money to the people of the United States. He requested that the money be used to create and institution in order to "increase the diffusion of knowledge among men" (geocities. com). James Renwick was chosen to create the "castle" and his work became one of the finest and most important Gothic Revival buildings in America (guide pg. 42). It is an anachronism to Washington D.C. because of its distinctness from the rest of the city.

The irregular shape made up of many turrets, spires, parapets, and towers make it easily recognizable (sc 94. ames lab. gov). The castle now serves as the administrative headquarters of the Smithsonian Institution (guide pg. 42). There are now sixteen museums, four research centers, the National Zoo, a system of libraries, and many other offices controlled by the institution (geocities. com) Located in the National Mall is a stone building that was the tallest masonry structure in the world. The Washington Monument stands five hundred fifty-five feet and was created by Robert Mills. It features an Egyptian style of architecture that was to this point absent in the United Sates (guide pg. 40).

"The Obelisk has to my eye a singular aptitude in its form and character to call attention to a spot memorable in its history. It says but one word. But it speaks loud. If I understand this voice, it says 'Here' " (guide pg. 40) Washington D.C. is a city filled with democracy, freedom, and hope. The great architects who built this city put these qualities into every structure created. It is this and the use of European architectural styles that molded to create the beautiful city we know today.