天美传媒

Summer Studio in Classical Architecture | Week 3

Students spent the third week of the Summer Studio in Classical Architecture exploring classical architectural design and composition through ongoing development of their studio design projects; continued studies in wash rendering; exploration of traditional materials and the architectural arts; and with on site study of exemplary achievements in classical design throughout New York.

Students at work

David Genther, assisted by Danielle Murphy, guided students through an ink wash rending of the Tuscan Order to investigate the qualities of light and shade on classical form.

Wash Rendering with David Genther

Guest lecturer presentations focused on the practice, history and theory of classical architecture. Bill Westfall, of the University of Notre Dame, highlighting themes from his new book, “Architecture, Liberty and Civic Order”, discussed the role of imitation in architectural practice; the relationship between architectural and urban elements; and the value of drawing upon history and tradition in building just, beautiful and sustainable cities.

Design Project underway

Christine Franck of the University of Colorado provided historical context on the resurgence of education in classical architecture and a survey of contemporary classical and traditional architecture and urban design.

Visits to the offices of Ferguson and Shamamian, and Gil Schafer helped to forge links between theory, concepts and practice. Mark Ferguson and Stephen Chrisman provided insights into the design process and the business of architecture essential to professional practice. Mickey Benson and Mark Pledger of Gil Schafer Architects walked through a series of design projects exemplifying the firms design methodology and use of precedent in creating new residential architecture reflective of regional character .

Ferguson and Shamamian's office

EverGreene Architectural Arts gave a series of tutorials in their workshops on architectural restoration, conservation, architectural ornament, plasterwork and painting. Adrian Taylor and a team from Hyde Park Mouldings discussed architectural plaster and gave a demonstration in methods for making and laying plasterwork. Students had an opportunity to try their hand at Venetian plaster.

Evergreene Studios

Hyde Park Mouldings class with Adrian Taylor

Making and Laying plasterwork

Field studies throughout the week reinforced concepts introduced in lectures and the design studio. Architectural historians Francis Morrone and Matthew Postal introduced students to important classical buildings on the Upper East Side and lower Manhattan. Metropolitan Museum of Art curators Amelia Peck, Danielle Kisluk-Grosheide and Carlos Picón, shared their expertise on the period rooms of the American Wing; English rooms by Robert Adam and John Sanderson in the European galleries; and Greek & Roman antiquities .

Field trip with Francis Morrone

A field trip to significant homes and landscapes in the Hudson River Valley capped off the week. Richard Hampton Jenrette, founder of Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, gave a personal tour of Edgewater House built in 1825. The trip concluded with a tour of nearby Montgomery Place by museum associate Lauren Bailey.

Edgewater with Richard Hampton Jenrette

Throughout the week and into the evening hours students were busy advancing development of their design projects in anticipation of the final week.