ipl-logo

Second Bank Of America Essay

1350 Words6 Pages

The Second Bank of the United States, constructed in the early 19th century in Philadelphia, stands as a cornerstone of American financial history. The initial function of the building was to serve as a financial institution, responsible for regulating the country’s monetary system, overseeing banking operations, and issuing currency. The building was designed by architect William Strickland, who drew inspiration from the grandeur of Greek architectural style, particularly the Athenian Parthenon, and infused the Second Bank with elements that would come to define the Greek Revival movement in America. The Second Bank of the United States reflects many aspects of the Doric order, as described by Vitruvius, Summerson, and Russell; however, it …show more content…

Situated within a period of rapid urbanization, economic expansion, and cultural evolution in America, the bank's architectural choices embody the zeitgeist of the era, at the intersection of historical context, cultural aspirations, and architectural innovation. Designed by architect William Strickland, a prominent figure in the neoclassical movement, the building's adoption of Greek architectural style symbolizes a cultural fascination with classical antiquity and a desire to emulate the democratic ideals of ancient Greece. Strickland's meticulous adherence to neoclassical principles, evident in the building's Doric order, column designs, and proportions, reflects a deliberate effort to evoke the grandeur and sophistication of ancient Greek architecture while also adapting it to the needs of a modern financial institution. Summerson aptly describes the neoclassical movement as "a vehicle for the expression of national identity and aspirations” (Summerson, page? …show more content…

From its inception as a bastion of financial regulation and currency issuance to its embodiment of Greek Revival architecture, the bank encapsulates the spirit of its era. Designed by architect William Strickland, the building marries classical Doric elements with contemporary neoclassical influences, reflecting both reverence for antiquity and adaptation to modern needs. The reflection of the Doric order resonates throughout the bank's structure, from its column designs to the placement of triglyphs and metopes. These architectural features, while adhering to ancient ideals, also reveal the challenges faced by architects in maintaining symmetry and harmony. Yet, alongside these classical elements, the Second Bank embraces modern innovations, such as glass-paneled windows and engaged columns, reflecting the practical requirements of its time. Situated within a period of rapid urbanization and cultural evolution, the Second Bank's architectural choices embody the zeitgeist of the era, expressing national aspirations and cultural

Show More
Related
188 Words | 1 Pages

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt uses logos through his literal language to reassure the American people about the state of their banks in his first “Fireside Chat.” However, his speech also includes notes of pathos and ethos in his figurative speech to back his explanation. He expressed to the country how the bank works due to their lack of knowledge on the industry. He mentioned when you deposit money in a bank, “the bank does not put the money into a safe deposit vault”, but however “the bank puts your money to work to keep the wheels of industry and of agriculture turning around.” The various facts he gives about the government’s endeavours use logos to reason the American people.

Read More
2210 Words | 9 Pages

Comparison between the Trinity Church and the Massachusetts State House Architecture refers to the process of planning, designing and construction of various structures such as building. The works of architecture can be seen as the cultural symbols as well as art-works. There are many historic civilizations and are mostly identified with the ability to survive the architectural achievements. History of Architecture Architecture has been in existence for a long period of time. Through the history of architecture, one is able to trace the changes that have occurred in architecture (Dowing 2012).

Read More
270 Words | 2 Pages

The poem “Paul Revere’s ride” written by Longfellow is far from a reliable source for many reasons. Paul Revere wrote a letter himself about what happened that night, and so did Longfellow but whose side is more reliable? The man who allegedly saved a village from the British on his own and his words or Longfellow’s story about what happened. Many things Longfellow claims happened on the night of the British attack don’t match Paul’s letter.

Read More
909 Words | 4 Pages

Also by having a National Bank, it gives off a sign of unity amongst America. It shows “the people” that America stand united as one and everyone and every state is no lesser than the

Read More
603 Words | 3 Pages

In 1832 there was a proposal to renew its status as a federally regulated financial body that passed congress. The fact that it was a private corporation did not sit well with Andrew Jackson and his fellow Jacksonians because it was controlled by a few wealthy men. When the bill to recharter it arrived at Jackson’s desk, one of the reasons he vetoed it was because it gave the Bank control of the nation’s economy. The Bank would control how financial sources move within the nation and how they leave the nation. Jacksonian Democracy supported “laissez-faire” economics that called for minimal government interference or regulation of the economy.

Read More
507 Words | 3 Pages

Since most of the structures are tall, wide, and grand they express power and value. Displaying the belief that they are more useful and influential in society. All showing these values through the layout and color contributed among them. Since most of these churches look like that of a palace, they can easily be seen from far away. The churches are eye-catchers and the structure’s architecture can bring a sense of purity and higher being.

Read More
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
460 Words | 2 Pages

The most significant architectural features of the building are: • It’s battered walls-thinner at the top than at the bottom to give an impression of solidarity and height. •The diamond panned windows incorporated without a style break. •the columns of reeds bunched together with palm leaf

Read More
1021 Words | 5 Pages

Epoka University Faculty of Architecture and Engineering Department of Architecture ARCH IV ARCH418 PhD. Ernest Shtepani Shasivar Rada ID:02021120 Delirious New York Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan Rem Koolhaas Our role is not to retreat back to the catacombs, but to became more human in skyscraper Manhattan is the theatre for the terminal stage of western civilization... A mountain range of evidence without manifesto.

Read More
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
1060 Words | 5 Pages

Light is reflected of the aluminum to the interior walls of the vaults and softly illuminated the gallery space in a soft glow. While the building catches the eye with elements like white travertine walls and heavy concrete vaults, there is no doubt that the natural light illuminating the gallery is the aspect most likely to be considered monumental. This light effect would not be possible without the attention to structure given by Kahn and, therefore, gives merit to Kahn’s claim that monumentality is achieved through

Read More
1867 Words | 8 Pages

The Chrysler Building, New York, is one of the most admired Art Deco style skyscrapers in history. This essay will analyse the Chrysler Building contextually and evaluate the applicability of the theoretical features of the early Modern Movement, as described by Paul Greenhalgh, to it in an attempt to determine exactly what it is that makes the Chrysler Building the icon that it is today. Historical Background The Chrysler Building has a rich historical background from which it originates. The famous 77-story Art Deco skyscraper was constructed between the First World War (1914-18) and the Second World War (1939-45) in Manhattan, New York.

Read More
1084 Words | 5 Pages

In a time of curtain wall facades and complex regulations the articulation of the structure and its dressing can make a building readable for its spectators. Here it is the tectonic that provides meaning to

Read More
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
1500 Words | 6 Pages

To explain this idea, one can apply it to a subject such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion, a building completed in 1929 to serve as the venue of the opening ceremony of the Exposició Internacional de Barcelona of that year (Cohen, 1996, p. 50). An example of Modernist architecture, the pavilion comprises two semi-enclosed, covered spaces—constructed from flat, unembellished walls of glass, marble, onyx and travertine—that are positioned within a walled, rectangular space occupied by a rectangular pool of water (Cohen, p. 52). As the art historian Anne Massey writes, this design bespeaks the Modernist desire to do away with the vulgar, bourgeois designs associated with the pre-WWI period, and, instead, to offer up a ‘bright new future’ through ‘hygienic, plain, and stark’ visions that have come to be recognised for their ‘primacy’ within the history of design (Massey, p.

Read More

More about Second Bank Of America Essay

Open Document