Neoclassicism and its influence on Post-modernism in architecture

Introduction

Architecture is a form of art, which dates back as early as the Romanesque and Egyptian Era, where the places of worship and shelters were converted into Colossal structures of awe and beauty. Moreover, the Egyptian and the Mesopotamians', architecture and urbanism reflected the constant engagement described the architectural advancements. Later on in the 1800 the neoclassical movement took place, which further influenced the Post modernist era in architecture.

Discussion

Classical architecture revived during the 18th and early 19th centuries and was later termed as the neoclassicism. The Neoclassic architecture basically had the characteristics of geometry and Romanesque details, along with a lot of columns and spherical developments in the structures. This antique style was also called as the Rococo Style which was prominent in the United States of America and Europe. Neoclassicism represented the nostalgia of the Late Greek and Roman styles, which were the pioneers in the world of architecture.

These monuments have helped preserve the Neoclassicism in the world, which has further allowed them to remain as representation of the movement.

The late 18th century saw a revival of the architectural and artistic styles of ancient Greece and Rome. The neoclassical movement began in Europe and spread to the Americas around the time of the revolution in 1776. As a result, neoclassical style became closely identified with the values and ideals of the newly formed United States. Architects and historians identify four primary characteristic categories of American neoclassical style. However, the era was further divided into sections as in phases which were named as rationalist, federalist, Idealist and the Greek revival. The Neoclassic architecture basically had the characteristics of geometry and Romanesque details, along with a lot of columns and spherical developments in the structures. Neoclassicism represented the nostalgia of the Late Greek and Roman styles, which were the pioneers in the world of architecture.

Rationalist

In this era, the architects basically concentrated on techniques such as stone vaulting and constructing domes as well. Even though this seemed to be a less noticeable in the U.S, but it mimicked the building techniques of ancient Greece and Rome immaculately. Rationalist architects opposed Baroque styles and methods of late 17th century which emphasized beauty and illusion. In accordance with the principles of the 18th century Enlightenment or "Age of Reason," Rationalists designed buildings to reflect ideals of truth, reason and science. Neoclassical rationalist architecture features stone vaulting, domes, and pure geometric forms like spheres and cylinders.

Benjamin Latrobe was the first American Architect who used such technique and built portions of the United States Capitol building which had the dome shaped roof, also the designing of the Baltimore Basilica, the first Catholic Cathedral built in the United States; and his designs for the White House porticos. His influence on the nation's capital also included serving as the chief surveyor for the Washington Canal; designing St. John's Episcopal Church, Decatur House and the main gate of the Washington Navy Yard; and consulting on the construction of ...