ipl-logo

Philadelphia City Hall By John Mcarthur Jr. And Thomas Ustick Walter

611 Words3 Pages

Philadelphia City Hall stands as a grand embodiment of classical architectural principles, skillfully integrated into a building completed in the dawn of the 20th century. Finished in 1901, this iconic structure not only dominates the skyline of Philadelphia but also symbolically anchors the city in the rich traditions of ancient Greek democracy and civic pride. Designed by John McArthur Jr. and Thomas Ustick Walter, the building is a modern masterpiece that illustrates the profound and enduring influence of Greek architectural formulas. Architectural Design and Classical Elements Philadelphia City Hall is crafted in the Second Empire style, yet it is the Classical and Greek Revival elements that stand out, infusing the building with a timeless …show more content…

Such architectural choices reflect a meticulous adherence to balance and proportion, fundamental aspects of Greek design aimed at evoking harmony and order. Furthermore, the facade of City Hall is adorned with sculptures and friezes that draw directly from Greek traditions. The intricate carvings and the rhythmic decorative moldings around windows and along the roofline are reminiscent of the friezes that graced ancient temples, thereby connecting Philadelphia to the cradle of Western civilization. Symbolism and Functionality The choice to employ classical architecture was driven by more than mere aesthetics. It was a deliberate decision that imbued the building with symbols of authority, stability, and continuity. Classical architecture, known for its durability and strength, makes a fitting choice for significant public buildings such as city halls, where civic matters are administered. By tapping into the classical style, the architects linked Philadelphia to the democratic ideals and philosophical pursuits celebrated in ancient Greece. These ideals are particularly poignant considering the building’s role in housing both the city administration and its

Show More
Related

Thomas Jefferson's Use Of Roman Architectural Features Connected Monticello With Rome

533 Words | 3 Pages

He believed that the absence of important buildings and architectural sophistication in American society would undermine social authority. Overall the building connects America with the past but also portrays Thomas Jefferson’s hope

Read More

What Are The Similarities Between Ancient Greece And America

462 Words | 2 Pages

Of all the architectural designs utilized by the ancient Greeks throughout history, three major Greek styles have withstood

Read More

How Did Ancient Rome Influence The Constitution

815 Words | 4 Pages

Many American architects in the 18th and 19th centuries looked to classical Roman architecture as a source of inspiration for their own designs. The White House and U.S. Capitol share similar architectural styles to that of Roman buildings like the Coliseum which has been standing for nearly 2000 years, and the Pantheon. “More recently, many official buildings built in the US are very strongly influenced by Roman architecture. The most obvious is the White House, which displays Roman influences in the arches and columns on the exterior” The Romans were skilled engineers and builders. They used advanced construction techniques such as arches, domes, and vaults to distribute weight and stress evenly throughout a building, which helped to prevent collapse.

Read More

Parthenon Vs Pantheon Research Paper

542 Words | 3 Pages

It follows the principles of classical Greek architecture with its rectangular floor plan, low steps, and colonnade of Doric columns (Parthenon, n.d).

Read More

Compare And Contrast The Lincoln Memorial Vs Parthenon

524 Words | 3 Pages

The development of modern day architecture is very fascinating. Even though it has a very significant difference to architecture in the past, it still has many similarities. Many famous buildings we have today still show the same basic designs. For example, the Lincoln Memorial is very similar to the Parthenon.

Read More

The Pantheon Vs Parthenon

1397 Words | 6 Pages

Two very important historic buildings from the Greek and Roman civilizations, namely the Parthenon and the Pantheon respectively, are worthy of academic exploration. An analysis of their function and style will help to put their design and features into perspective, and create a better appreciation for their emulation in Western civilization. These buildings possess very unique individual characteristic designs, which bears testimony to the societies from which they originate. However, they are also a resourceful database of knowledge in terms of their symbolism, rich heritage of their era and application to the present civilization.

Read More

Pantheon Vs Parthenon Essay

589 Words | 3 Pages

This essay will be focused on the cultural use, differences and similarities of Greek and Roman architecture with special focus on Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome Italy. Both buildings have various similarities; I will focus on how each country adapts to their differences. It is important to note that five (5) architectural orders were highly favored in the Greek and Roman architectural pattern. The Parthenon and Pantheon are both ancient temples, while the Parthenon was built in Ancient Greece for the goddess of Athena as a gratitude to heaven for the defeat of Persia; the pantheon was built in Rome to celebrate the Roman gods. Construction of Parthenon started in 447 BC when Athenian Empire was at the height of its power (web archive.org (n.d.))

Read More

Roman Art Architecture Analysis

786 Words | 4 Pages

A classical roman influence and a aristocratic gentleman influence. The Roman influence on the building can be seen in the architectural design of the building. Here we can see the return to ancient Roman culture that was such a strong part of the Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts architectural style. This Roman influence visible in the outward appearance of this building and many others in the capital area point to the classical roman influence that we see in the form our constitutional republic at its founding and

Read More

Modern Door Analysis

1169 Words | 5 Pages

Within my set I made many stylistic choices to accomplish a modern take with Greek influences such as using a modern door (1), columns with vines (2), the shape of the pool (3), lattice with vines (4), and curtains (5). Modern Door (1): The main purpose behind using a modern door is to present a known object to the audience (the ideal door is shown to the right). Using a modern door would help the audience recognize its purpose and would also help the audience relate to the characters as audience members use doors every day. One of the benefits with using a modern door instead of an archway, or none at all, maintains the separation between the humans and the gods.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Athens And Roman Architecture

1002 Words | 5 Pages

A civilization’s architecture not only shows the artistic skills of its designers and builders but also the functionality of its engineers, the power of its government, and the inventiveness of its people. Architecture was a crucial element to the success of two major cites in Europe, Rome and Athens. Each city had structures consisting of formal architecture like temples and basilicas showing the influence that its leaders had over each city, while utilitarian buildings like bridges and aqueducts helped build communication between distant cities throughout each empire. Though architecture as a whole was an important role in unifying the cities, the architecture design within each illustrates the similarities and differences between two.

Read More

Influence Of Greek Influence On Modern Architecture

841 Words | 4 Pages

Introduction For this question, I will call to mind buildings like the white house, the chamber of commerce, or some older courthouses. These are all examples of Greek influence on modern architecture. As well as our culture in some ways. Why Do you think the architect(s) chose to copy classical style? I can not with utter certainty say why they chose Greek architecture as the foundation for their work.

Read More

Compare Parthenon And Pantheon

885 Words | 4 Pages

Introduction: The Two Buildings; Parthenon in Athens and Pantheon in Rome are both classical heritage of the former world powers. Both buildings were temple built and dedicated to the gods of Athens and Romans. The excellent strength and the durability of these temples are unimaginable. Going by the length of time that these buildings have been in existence, one cannot but admires the brilliance of the ancient Greek and Roman architects for such excellent edifices that have outlived many generations, and yet remain a symbol of ancient Greek and Roman history.

Read More

Similarities Between Greek And Roman Architecture

930 Words | 4 Pages

As a start, the building types are many as the private houses, baths, as well as temples and theatres and these are our points; Firstly in temples, Greeks’ structures were invented to be the home of gods called Parthenon having an obsolete religion. As inside these sanctuaries they didn’t have spots of meeting, but obeying the penances and aimed to custom an individual god in them. These temples anyways were sometimes used to be storage of votive offerings. Subsequently, they are very unique in there style and very essential modeling construction. For examples, the palace of Knossos, and Athens acropolis.

Read More

The Style And Function Of The Greek Parthenon And The Roman Pantheon

707 Words | 3 Pages

The style of the building and the purpose it is built give a brief and thoughtful storybook about the culture of the architect as art, generally, and architecture, particularly, is a language itself. Thus, buildings narrate the stories of the people among the history and tell their traditions and habits to the next generation through its design, inscriptions, and details. In this essay, I will discuss how both the style and function of the Greek Parthenon and the Roman Pantheon served as typical examples of their cultures in Athens and ancient Rome. In addition to the similarities and differences between these two cultures through the two buildings. Both the Greek and the Roman architecture inspired the cultures and architects until these days due to the diverse meaning they carry and symbolize in astonishing ways through the different orders, columns, roofs, friezes, and domes.

Read More

Roman Architecture Research Paper

1639 Words | 7 Pages

The bath houses used arches, domes and vaults to make them both aesthetically beautiful and to work as functional spaces. The Romans also made spectacular private homes for those who could afford them, and designed and built innovative apartment type buildings for those who couldn’t afford a private residence. As with the Greeks, the Temples of Rome were a great architectural achievement. These temples are a significant source of their architectural history and still today are some of the most visible remains from their culture. Unlike the Greeks who believed in having an equal emphasis in their design on all sides of their temples, the Romans put the emphasis on the front of their buildings.

Read More

More about Philadelphia City Hall By John Mcarthur Jr. And Thomas Ustick Walter

Open Document