Greek Revival Architecture: Origins, Key Features, and Famous Examples
Greek Revival Architecture is considered as one of the most transformative architectural types in Western history. This type of style began in the middle of the eighteenth century. The architects experimented with different ideas.
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EXPLORE OUR GREEK REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE, ITS ORIGINS, KEY FEATURES, AND FAMOUS EXAMPLES!
Short History
Greek Revival architecture started when archaeologists exposed ancient Greek buildings in Athens and other areas. Most people were more familiar with Roman architecture at that time.
These things created great interest in Greek culture and ideas. It inspired architects across Europe to copy the simple and balanced designs of ancient Greece.
The most important part in the spreading of this style was James “Athenian” Stuart. He was a Scottish architect.
After traveling to Greece, he published detailed books with drawings of Greek buildings. This allowed architects who had never visited Greece to create this style accurately again.
After some time, the Greek Revival became popular in the United States between 1820 and 1850. However, the Americans were admired by ancient Greece. They were happy because the ideas matched with them. The War of 1812 and the Greek War of Independence made Americans want to move away from British styles.
Hence, they used Greek architecture as a symbol of freedom.
Key Architectural Features
In the exterior part of the buildings, the following features were popular in this type of style:
Columns and Porticos
Columns were designed in three classical orders:
- Doric
- Ionic
- Corinthian
Columns could be smooth, and ancient columns were cylindrical. The revival architecture had squared columns. Stone was expensive, and the timber construction was also common in this type of style.
Rooflines and Cornices
The roof of this style was low, and it had hipped characteristics. Plus, heavy gables and friezes were also typical features.
Materials and Color
Many Greek Revival homes were painted in a way to look like expensive public buildings. Plus, wood, stucco, and stone were also the main materials.
However, the buildings were painted white.
Decorative Elements
Simple moldings with flat faces copy stone. Moreover, the small rectangular windows were also installed. They were decorated with wide trim
The interior part of the buildings was popular due to the following features:
Windows and Openings
It is one of the types of architectural styles that had large decorative windows with three or six panes. The front doors had trim and small-paned sidelights framing doorways.
Finishing Details
- Heavy door frames and mantels
- Simple yet bold interior moldings
- Grainy building materials, including stucco, wood, or stone
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Famous Examples
The British Museum, London
The most iconic example is the British Museum. It was completed in 1847 and displayed the Greek Ionic order. It was huge and had classical features.
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
The Brandenburger Tor in Berlin, completed in 1791–1793, was modelled on the Athenian Propylaea and is a notable example of Classical-style architecture.
German Museums
The Glyptothek sculpture museum and Altes Museum in Munich and Berlin, respectively, featured imposing Grecian forms, in great part due to the patronage of Ludwig I, King of Bavaria, whose son ruled Greece.
Second Bank of the United States, Philadelphia
This was designed in 1824 by William Strickland in the style of a Doric temple front and was influenced by key patron Nicholas Biddle, and was in turn influential for later government buildings. The first east front had thirty columns, each thirty-six feet high and made of single chunks of granite.
Basilica of the Assumption, Baltimore
Latrobe’s crowning architectural achievement was the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Baltimore, erected between 1805 and 1821. This religious structure showed how Greek architectural styles could be assimilated into religious architecture in such a manner that they retained their classical grandeur.
Federal Hall, New York
Federal Hall originally housed the United States Customs House and symbolized a simplified version of the Parthenon with columns engaging the sides. Since 1955, it has been recognized as a national memorial.
Final Words!
However, the Greek Revival Architecture is still influencing modern designs. People are using some of its features in the modern construction industry. There are countless Greek Revival buildings that are still standing. It has clean lines and classical proportions. They still provide a powerful look.
