Architecture is a discipline that relies on precedents from the past, and influences from both fine art and sculpture, all infused with the concepts and programs that have proven useful to mankind through time. Adding a bit of historical depth and cultural significance to our website, we are taking some time to devote some articles to the rich history of architecture and various significant architects and structures that have impacted architecture. Architecture theory, when studied at a university, can be one of the toughest classes that the architectural student has to endure (as our son the architect can attest to), but when this theory is instead demonstrated and explained on the palette of things we are intimately familiar with, such as single-family homes, it rises up off of the paper and become a living inspiration. So let us now introduce you to the Villa Rotunda.
The Villa Rotonda was designed by the infamous architect Andrea Palladio in 1567 during the Renaissance and it was completed just before 1600. This home in Northern Italy is just outside of Vicenza and was commissioned by a priest.
Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, the center dome is made possible by the concept of a sphere within the cube, the cube being the main part of the structure. The overall shape goes a step further and radiates out to each side forming a cross.
The Villa sits atop a hill and has all of the service areas hidden underneath. The raised nature follows the ancient precedent of an elevated structure. A second ancient precedent is realized in the ascension up the stairs to reach the heart of the building. A third ancient precedent would have been fulfilled with the light coming through the center of the oculus, but alas, a cupula was placed over it to keep the weather out of the house. A final ancient precedent is visible in the way the structure contracts at the doorways and hallways and then opens up into a larger area.
This structure adheres to the humanistic ideals of symmetry, proportions, and rational thought that were prevalent in the Renaissance period. Set in the countryside, this building resonates with order and helps to create order out of the chaos of the countryside.
Moving forward 200 years, we land on a plantation in colonial Virginia. A building that can be paralleled with the Villa Rotunda is Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia plantation home, Monticello. Built in 1772, it was designed by Thomas Jefferson. This home has a central dome similar to the Pantheon and the Villa Rotunda. The front is a classical temple front with matched columns and triangular pediment. The home sits on a rise. The center dome has an oculus but without the Villa’s cupola. A rigid adherence to order, symmetry, and rational thought is evident in the plan. This home can also be approached from all four sides, just as the Villa.
The plan reveals the house has a cross shape, similar to the Villa, when the Parlor end is squared off visually with the West Portico.
Today, while domes are pretty rare in single-family homes, we still see a strong desire for symmetry. The Renaissance thrived on symmetry, rational, and perspective. About 12 years ago a couple approached us about designing a custom home for them. After browsing through our website, they chose a home that was very symmetrical (sound familiar?) and they went to great lengths to keep retain this symmetry, to the point of folding the garage back behind the house and extending the paved driveway just to retain this design precedent that they had unknowingly borrowed from the Romans and the height of the Italian Renaissance.
The great room is situated in the center. Even wings open to each side. The two French doors are matched, flanking the great room. And even the railing on the porches is identical. Some architectural theory concepts will always remain. Others will fade into time, to re-emerge in another era. But some concepts never depart. They are simply part of what makes us each very human.
Sources:
Villa Rotunda: https://wikipedia.org
Pantheon: https://www.ribapix.com/topographical-drawing-of-the-pantheon-rome-perspective_riba66388
Monticello: https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/house-transition