Political Architecture of Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Henry Latrobe

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When viewing a structure, be it a house, place of business or government building, what should the viewer experience? What meaning does the architect want to portray aside from the superficial elements? To Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 'a building was not merely a walled structure, but a metaphor for American Ideology, and the process of construction was equal to the task of building a nation' (Architectural). Well known in their respective fields, Latrobe and Jefferson effectively shaped political architecture by combining ideals and creating an American style of design that is both unique and symbolic. Architecture is a form of art that serves an important purpose and is more than mere beauty. For these two men, architecture provided an outlet to the meaningful and useful creation of an American style recognizable throughout the ages.
Both Latrobe and Jefferson were heavily influenced by Neo-Classical ideals. By definition, Neo-Classical is the new version of classical – So what is Classical Architecture? Classical is the style of design associated with the style which was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks. It can be characterized by the use of marble, pillars and mathematical symmetry. The Parthenon (figure 1) in Athens Greece is a prime example of Classical architecture with marble pillars, symmetric layout and a geometric shape. 1500 years later (1570 AD), Classicism was reborn in Western Europe by Italian architect Andrea Palladio. He advocated for the use of Classical ideas in more than just important buildings but also private residences (Architecture). Neo-Classical architecture is characterized as having the same features but is seen more as an approach to design and not a particular/specific style. It suggests the use of classical styles and characteristics in what was modern day design. Thomas Jefferson\'s Monticello (figure 2) in Virginia, which served as his home, was an ingenious feat of design andengineering. There are obvious Classical characteristics with the updated building material – brick. In Benjamin Henry Latrobe\'s Bank of Pennsylvania (figure 3), he follows a more strict set of rules with Neo-Classicism. He uses Ionic columns to support the entablature over the porch and a saucer dome located above the banking room.
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Max Scott
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