WK 2 - ENLIGHTENMENT I: NEOCLASSICISM

key projects

Neoclassicism – Definition & Context

• Architects rejected Baroque & Rococo; focused on classical Greek & Roman architecture.

• Emphasized reason, symmetry, and simplicity.

• Influenced by the Grand Tour – educational trips to study ancient sites.
  Key Terms (with simple definitions):

• Grand Tour: Educational travel to classical sites.

• Greco-Roman principles: Architecture inspired by ancient Greece & Rome.

• Symmetry: Balanced, equal design on both sides.

• Rationalism: Logic and reason guide design.
  Main Projects / Architects: Royal Saltworks (Ledoux), Altes Museum (Schinkel), Glyptothek (Klenze), Sir John Soane Museum & Bank of England (Soane), Monticello / UVA (Jefferson)

Royal Saltworks of Chaux (1775–79, France) – Claude-Nicolas Ledoux

• Movement / Style: Neoclassicism

• Three Points of Significance:

  1. Main Idea / Innovation: Semi-circle layout follows sun; combines architecture with function and social ideas; geometric & symbolic design influencing modern industrial planning.

  2. Relation / Reaction: Uses Neoclassical order, symmetry, and classical forms; pushes beyond decoration to focus on function and industrial purpose.

  3. Architect’s Thesis / Context: Architecture should serve society, not decorate; minimal religious symbolism; architecture parlante (“speaking architecture”) expresses function visually (e.g., urn on facade symbolizes salt production).

• Materials / Ornament: Stone, minimal ornaments, columns, expressive forms

• Historical Context: Built 1775–79, salt was state-controlled; commissioned by monarchy to show power and order

• Comparison: Visionary & symbolic vs practical contemporaries; integrates industrial use in monumental architecture

• Key Terms (with simple definitions):

  • Architecture parlante: Buildings show their function through form.

  • Rationalism: Design based on reason, logic, and order

Plan for Ideal City of Chaux, incl. House of River Inspector (c.1775–79, France) – Ledoux

• Movement / Style: Neoclassicism / Enlightenment Visionary

• Three Points of Significance:

  1. Main Idea / Innovation: Ideal city with geometric order; buildings show function; organized for social hierarchy.

  2. Relation / Reaction: Neoclassical symmetry; focuses on function & social purpose; rejects Baroque & Rococo excess.

  3. Architect’s Thesis / Context: Architecture serves society; reflects Enlightenment ideas of rational planning, social improvement, civic order.

• Materials / Ornament: Stone, brick, minimal decoration; symbolic shapes (“architecture parlante”)

• Context: Rational planning admired; monarchy values industrial efficiency; functional community design

• Comparison: Less decorative than Baroque; architecture parlante extended to city planning

• Key Terms (with simple definitions):

  • Architecture parlante: Building’s form shows its function.

  • Rationalism: Design based on logic & clarity.

  • Ideal city: Utopian plan organizing city life geometrically & symbolically

Altes Museum (1823–30, Berlin) – Karl Friedrich Schinkel

• Movement / Style: Neoclassicism

• Three Points of Significance:

  1. First public museum; civic pride & education

  2. Symmetrical façade, classical columns, grand staircase; guides visitors visually

  3. Reflects Enlightenment ideals: rational order, knowledge, civic access

• Relation / Reaction: Continues Greek/Roman forms; rejects Baroque drama & decoration

• Materials / Ornament: Stone, classical columns, minimal decoration

• Comparison: Civic focus vs Ledoux’s industrial & symbolic designs

• Key Terms (with simple definitions):

  • Neoclassical symmetry: Balanced & orderly design inspired by ancient Greece & Rome

  • Civic architecture: Buildings made for public/community use