[Neoclassical Architecture]

Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology

[Student’s Name] College Of Architecture

Bautista, John Ranzelle

Laureano, Jeric Vince

Ordonez, Aira Jane Alexa

BS ARCHI 2-G

[Instructor]
AR. Roxanne
Oreta
NEO-CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
A. GEOGRAPHICAL
Neoclassical architecture is defined as the "revival of classical architecture during the 18th
and early 19th centuries." The aesthetic is a distinct architectural style that references
elements of classical antiquity, primarily ancient Greek and Roman architecture that
flourished throughout Western countries, particularly Europe and the United States. "It's
interpreting and, in some cases, directly referencing the fundamental rules or principles of
order, proportion, and scale that were fundamentally the basis of classical architecture."

B. GEOLOGICAL
Columns, basic geometric shapes, a grand scale, and ornate elements, notably the Doric
order, were common in ancient Greece and Rome. The style differs from Greek revival,
which was more concerned in reusing specific classical elements. Neoclassicism, on the
other hand, was concerned with the full-scale resuscitation of complete classical books.

C. CLIMATIC
Neoclassicism (sometimes spelt Neo-classicism) was a Western cultural movement that took
influence from classical antiquity's art and culture in the decorative and visual arts, literature,
theater, music, and architecture. At the time of the rediscovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum,
Neoclassicism was born in Rome, largely thanks to the writings of Johann Joachim
Winckelmann, but its popularity spread across Europe as a generation of European art
students completed their Grand Tour and returned from Italy to their home countries with
newly rediscovered Greco-Roman ideals.

D. RELIGIUOS
The Greco-Roman period served as the foundation for this new architectural movement.
Neoclassicism arose, inspired by ancient antiquity. As a result, church building followed the
neoclassical style.

E. SOCIAL POLITICAL
Art and politics were interwoven throughout the 18th century, with each influencing
the other. Neoclassicism was an artistic trend that flourished from the mid-eighteenth
to the mid-nineteenth centuries and tried to elevate "classic" styles of art to the
forefront. It was a direct response to the aesthetic movements of the Rococo and
Baroque periods, which stressed extravagant embellishment and fanciful subjects. In
contrast, Neoclassicism valued unemotional and accurate portrayals of classical
subject matter and followed three primary elements: order, accuracy, and structure.
 F. HISTORICAL
Neoclassical architecture is frequently seen as a reaction to Baroque and Rococo styles.
These buildings, which were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries throughout Europe, were
highly theatrical and used theatric embellishment. Neoclassicism arose from a desire to
approach architectural design in a more simplified and pared-down manner. The trend is
thought to have started in England and France before spreading throughout the world, and it
was led by architects such as Robert Adam and John Soane.

G. CHARACTERISTICS
 Neoclassical architecture describes buildings that are inspired by the classical architecture of
ancient Greece and Rome. After the ancient Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii were
discovered in the mid-1700s, artists sought to revive the ideal of classical Greece and Rome
in architecture, sculpture, painting, and the decorative arts. Architects and artists adopted
Neoclassicism for aesthetic and political reasons, and the style flourished during the
revolutionary periods in France and the United States. (Approx. 1750-1900)
 During the late 18th and early 19th centuries many of the foundational buildings of the United
States government were constructed. The United States based its constitution, including our
three branches of government that incorporates checks and balances, on the governments of
ancient Greece and Rome. The U.S. also looked back to antiquity as its prototype for a new
democratic system. The founding fathers of this country chose the Neoclassical style for
government buildings, as it symbolizes the classical roots of our government.

Monumental Architecture

 For most of history, temples and palaces served as the leading forms of monumental
architecture.
 During the Neoclassical era, these building types were gradually replaced by government
buildings (e.g. courts, public service buildings, schools) and commercial buildings (e.g. office
and apartment buildings, performing arts centers, transportation terminals).
 Today, government and commercial buildings dominate cityscape all over the world.

Types of Neoclassical Buildings

Neoclassical buildings can be divided into three main types:

 Temple: features a design based on an ancient temple. Many temple style buildings
feature a peristyle (a continuous line of columns around a building).
 Palladian: Andrea Palladio was an Italian architect who admired ancient Roman
architecture. His influence is still seen today and he is the best known neo-classical
architect in the western world. A well known Palladian detail is a large window consisting of a
central arched section flanked by two narrow rectangular sections.
 Classical block: features a vast rectangular (or square) plan, with a flat roof and an
exterior rich in classical detail. The exterior is divided into multiple levels, each of which
features a repeated classical pattern, often a series of arches and/or columns. The overall
impression of such a building is an enormous, classically-decorated rectangular block.
Neoclassical Architecture Features

Features of classical architecture Found in neoclassical design

On a columned building, the section between the top of the columns and the roof is called the en-
tablature. The three parts, cornice, frieze, and architrave, were designed to complement different
types of columns.

Column & Capital Basics

A. CAPITAL
 A Capital is the crowning member (top) of a column, on which rests the column and base.
Capital styles are based on the Orders of Architecture.

B. COLUMNS
 Columns are vertical architectural support. They typically include: the round or square shaft,
the top (capital) and the bottom (base). The base is the lowest element of a column structure
on which the column shaft rests. The plinth is the square or round slab that the column base
rests upon.

In architecture, columns are utilized as load bearing elements supporting porches, arches or a
cornice.

Ancient Greek and Roman builders developed the Five Orders, or rules, for the design and proportion
of buildings. These classical orders are prominent in Neoclassical Architecture.

1. DORIC
 The Doric order was the earliest order. It was mainly used on the exterior of large structures
and public buildings. A Doric capital consists of a square stone slab [abacus], above a round
molded slab with fillets and is elegantly simple in design.
 The Parthenon is the most famous surviving building in the Doric order. Built to honor the
Greek goddess Athena, the Parthenon is considered an ideal example of Greek achievement
and the finest example of the Doric order.

2. IONIC
 The Ionic order was developed later than the Doric. Ionic capitals were more elaborate than
their Doric counterparts. Its graceful, well proportioned style was used for small buildings and
decorative interiors.

3. CORINTHIAN
 The ornate Corinthian order was developed by the Greeks in the fifth century. It was not used
often by the Greeks, but was modified and used extensively by the Romans.
Architectural Pediment
An architectural element developed in ancient Greece, pediments were historically embellishments
over doors and windows that were both structural (supported by columns) and decorative (with
sculpture reliefs). Beginning with Roman architecture, pediments became primarily decorative.

1. Open Pediment
 The open pediment is open along the base, with a gap in the cornice for part or all of the
space under the pediment. All these forms were used in Hellenistic architecture,
especially in Alexandria and the Middle East.
2. Arch Pediment
 A variant is the "segmental" or "arch" pediment, where the normal angular slopes of the
cornice are replaced by one in the form of a segment of a circle, in the manner of a
depressed arch.
3. Broken Pediment
 A pediment frequent in the baroque style having a gap at the apex (as for a statue or
vase)

Neoclassical Building Characteristics

 1 - 2 1/2 stories in height – generally low buildings.
 Symmetrical: balance and symmetry are the most predominant characteristic of
neoclassicism.
 Porticos (porches) featuring Doric or Ionic columns.
 Building’s facade is flat and long, often having a screen of free-standing columns.
 May feature domes or towers.
 Dentil molding and frieze band beneath the cornice are common.
 Decorative pediments on doorways and windows.
 Multiple windows; upper and lower levels.
 Wide variety of different window configurations including basic, arched, Palladian and
Norman Wheel.
 Ornamental detail includes broken or unbroken pediments and side lights (windows)
surrounding the entry.

Italian Neoclassical Architecture

The influence of Classical architecture can be observed in certain structures that were created in
reaction to the Rococo style in early 18th century Europe known as Palladian architecture. However, it
was not until the mid-18th century that the movement began to include influences from the
architecture of ancient Greece.

 Church Of Santa Maria Del Priorato By Giovanni Battista Piranesi

English Neoclassical Architecture

During the 1750s the style would spread to other countries such as France and England. In England,
there were several factors that led to the gain in popularity of Neoclassical architecture. One of these
factors was the work of the English archeologist Sir William Hamilton, whose excavations at Pompeii
and other ancient sites fueled much interest in the architecture of Classical antiquity. Another
influencing factor was the traditional Grand Tour, which saw young European men go on a journey
through Europe to gain insights and inspiration.

 James Stuart's Doric Garden Temple In Hagley Park

 Assembly Hall By Lord Burlington
 Stourhead By Colen Campbel
French Neoclassical Architecture
French artists that had trained in Rome were the greatest proponents of the style in France. The
writings of German archeologist and historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann would also have an
influence on the architects of France. Towards the end of Louis XVI’s reign, classical features were
already starting to appear in the architectural designs of the French architects, but they became more
accepted and fully adopted during the Napoleonic Empire.

 Servandoni Façade Ng Church Of Saint Sulpice-Giovanni Niccolo

 Servandoni Church Of St. Genevieve-Germain Soufflot

 Arc De Triomphe-Charles Percier

 Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine

German Neoclassical Architecture

Neoclassical architecture in Germany was fueled by a few sources of inspiration and support. The
books of Johann Joachim Winckelmann would have a great influence on the German architects, while
Friedrich Wilhelm II offered much royal patronage. Architects such as Carl Gotthard Langhans and
Karl Friedrich Schinkel wanted to transform the German architectural landscape into one that could
easily rival Rome and Paris.

 Altes Museum

Russian Neoclassical Architecture

In Russia, Catherine the Great wanted to go against the preferred style of her predecessors which
was the High Rococo style. She showed a great preference for Neoclassical designs over Baroque
designs such as the Winter Palace, and she called on Charles Cameron, a Scottish architect, to
design the Pavlovsk Palace as well as the Alexander Palace. He was also commissioned to redesign
the Catherine Palace with Neoclassical extensions, as well as Palace Square in St. Petersburg.

 The Kremlin Senate.

 The Pavlovsk Palace.
 The Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange.

American Neoclassical Architecture

America had proven itself to be a true home and prominent purveyor of the Neoclassical style despite
its huge popularity in Europe. Elements of the Neoclassical style can be found in the early American
architects such as Charles Bulfinch, Benjamin Latrobe, and of course, Thomas Jefferson. The 19th
century in America was a time when many civic buildings were being built across the nation.

 Virginia State Capitol

 University Of Virginia At Charlottesville

 Monticello
Famous Neoclassical Architecture Examples

 Teatro Di San Carlo (1737)

 Parisian Panthéon (1790)
 United States Capitol Building (1800)
 Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary (1821)
 University Of Virginia Rotunda (1826)
 Altes Museum (1830)
 Plaza Del Mercado De Ponce (1863)
 General Grant National Memorial (1897)
 Egyptian Museum (1901)
 El Capitolio (1929)