Colonial-and-Post-colonial-American-Architecture

Overview of Colonial and Post-Colonial Architecture Outside Europe

  • European settlers adapted their homeland's architectural styles to new climates and resources in the Americas.

Early European Settlements

  • First European Arrival: Spaniards were the first to arrive in the Americas. The earliest demonstrates of European culture included defensive structures built on Caribbean Islands.

  • Santo Domingo: Founded in 1496, it was the first permanent European settlement in the Americas.

Town Planning and Architecture in Latin America (16th century)

  • 1573 City Planning: Philip II of Spain established a town planning system featuring a loose grid layout with a central plaza for public and religious buildings, emphasizing ecclesiastical and secular order.

  • Key Structures: The 16th century primarily consisted of settlements, churches, and monasteries, which were significant architectural works.

  • 17th Century Influence: Spanish missionaries contributed to regional architecture, integrating indigenous adobe and wood techniques.

Architectural Styles Influences (18th Century)

  • Baroque and Rococo Styles: Influential during the 18th century in Latin America, showcasing a period of cultural grandeur in urban development.

  • Notable Architects: Peter Harrison and Thomas Jefferson emerged as significant figures in English North American architecture. Jefferson's work on the Virginia Capitol became a model for future state capitols.

Noteworthy Buildings in Virginia

  • Virginia Capitol Interior Spaces:

    • Rotunda

    • Old House of Delegates Chamber

    • Senate Chamber

  • University of Virginia: Example of early American Beaux-Arts academicism.

Regional Architectural Variants in the US

  • Federal Period Influence (Boston): Robert Adam inspired Boston's architecture during the Federal period, leading to local variants of English terrace styles.

  • Greek Revival Style: Benjamin Latrobe popularized this style in the U.S., influencing many buildings.

  • Washington D.C. Planning: Pierre L’Enfant introduced innovative diagonal axes to complement traditional city grid layouts.

Neo-Classical Architecture in Latin America

  • Cultural Shifts: The neo-classical style’s popularity, brought by Enlightenment ideals, influenced the architectural landscape post-independence.

  • Key Figures: Architects like A.J.V. Grandjean de Montigny and C.F. Brunet-Debaines played pivotal roles in regions like Rio de Janeiro and Santiago.

  • Dominant Styles of Churches: Predominantly classical architecture with some Gothic influences post-1850.

Gothic and Picturesque Styles (North America)

  • Gothic Structures: Richard Upjohn and James Renwick Jr. contributed to Gothic-style buildings, especially in just under a generation between 1848 and 1875.

  • Picturesque Movement: A.J. Davis and Andrew Jackson Downing were notable for advocating for the picturesque or 'gardenesque' villa style, reflecting harmony between nature and architecture.

Cast-iron Architecture

  • Development in New York City: Became a center for cast-iron buildings, with decorative ironwork becoming a notable feature in cities like New Orleans.

Gilded Age Architecture

  • Richard Morris Hunt: The first American trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, influencing American architectural styles during the Gilded Age.

  • Professionals: Henry Hobson Richardson, Charles McKim, and Louis Sullivan continued the Beaux-Arts tradition, focusing on grand public architecture.

Evolution of Domestic Architecture (Post-Civil War)

  • Transition: The East Coast development shifted away from French-influenced Stick Style toward the smoother Shingle Style, also known as Queen Anne.

  • Key Influence: Richardson's Romanesque style left a lasting impact, known as the 'Richardsonian Style.'

Innovations at the Turn of the Century (19th century)

  • Skyscrapers Development: Technical advances allowed construction of early skyscrapers through steel framing and non-load-bearing curtain walls, along with elevator technologies.

  • Architects to Note: William Le Baron Jenney and Dankmar Adler pioneered these techniques, while John Wellborn Root and Louis Sullivan explored aesthetic solutions.

Notable Buildings from Colonial and Post-Colonial Periods

Colonial Period:

  • Domestic Buildings:

    • House of Diego Colon (1510-14)

    • Mulberry, Berkeley County, South Carolina

  • Fortifications:

    • Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Havana (1558-82)

    • Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine (1672-95)

  • Religious Buildings:

    • Mexico City Cathedral (1563-1667)

    • Cusco Cathedral, Peru (1598-1654)

  • Educational and Civic Buildings:

    • Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    • Harvard Hall (1764-6) and Massachusetts Hall (1718-20)

    • Independence Hall, Philadelphia (1731-91)

    • Governor's Palace, San Antonio (1749)

Post-Colonial Period:

  • Domestic Buildings:

    • White House, Washington D.C. (1792-1829)

    • Jasper Collins House, Carthage, Texas (1850)

  • Religious Buildings:

    • Catholic Cathedral, Baltimore (1805-21)

    • Trinity Church, Boston (1873-7)

  • Educational and Civic Buildings:

    • State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia (1789-98)

    • Boston Public Library (1887-93)

  • Commercial and Industrial Buildings:

    • Auditorium Building, Chicago (1886-9)

    • Reliance Building, Chicago (1894-5)

  • Bridges:

    • Brooklyn Bridge, New York City (1870-83)

    • Golden Gate Park Bridge, San Francisco (1889)

Overall, the progression from colonial architecture through to the post-colonial era showcases the influence of European styles integrated with local materials and cultural evolution, alongside technological advancements contributing to the creation of new architectural forms.