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Neo-Classical
Revival
This
architectural style was most popular in America from 1895 to 1950 and
beyond, based primarily on the use forms of Classical Antiquity. Exhibitions
played an important part in bringing in the Neo-Classical Revival. The
Columbian Exposition at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, where Charles
B. Altwood presented his Fine Art Building, stimulated the shape of things
to come.
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Smith College's Green Hall Auditorium
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Buildings of the Neo-Classical Revival are generally larger than those of the nineteenth-century Greek Revival and always simpler in effect than those of Beaux-Arts Classicism. They show none of the tendency to multiply angles and projections that mark the latter style. The Neo-Classical revival features broad expanses of plain wall surface. The Greek orders are employed much more often than the Roman, and in keeping with these windows and doorways are linteled rather than arched; pedimented porticoes are frequent features. Coupled columns are not used. As in the Beaux-Arts Classicism, façades are symmetrical. They usually have a visually important full-width portico with full-height wood or stone classical columns (0ften having Corinthian, Doric, or Ionic capitals), or with square columns (sometimes paired) and full-height pilasters; or a similar portico only one story high.
Roofs tend to exhibit an unadorned line. The side-gabled roof is common, but hipped or gambrel roofs can also be found. At the eves or boxed eves there is a moderate overhang, with balustrades frequently located just above the eaves. Neo-Classical Revival buildings are often ornamented with statuary.
Windows are double-hung, symmetrically arranged with lintels above, sometimes occurring in pairs or in groups of three. In homes they are framed by an upper sash usually with six or nine panes, and a lower sash with either the same number of panes or a single pane.
Bibliography
- Harris, Cyril M. Harris. American Architecture: an Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.
- Poppeliers, John C. What style is it? Washington, D.C. : Preservation Press, Historic American Buildings Survey/National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1983.
- Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780: A Guide to the Styles. Cambridge, MA: The M.I.T. Press, 1969.
Buildings Exhibiting These Features