Sarah Khalil
Professor Bombay
Modern Culture and the Arts
September 10, 2015
Classical Greek Architecture is
everywhere
Today
in modern society one may notice that many of the buildings around us reflects
upon Greek architecture. One building that emulates Greek architecture is the
Guthrie Memorial Library in Hanover, Pennsylvania. As opposed to the ancient
Egyptians, the ancient Greeks designed great monuments to serve the living and
not the dead. Whereas, the Egyptians built monuments to serve the dead and not
the living because they were more concerned with the hereafter than the ancient
Greeks were. The Greeks were more obsessed with life on earth, and as a result
their love for life on earth is expressed in their exquisite temples and
theaters. Furthermore, the Parthenon is a historically famous Greek temple
dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war, and resembles the Doric order, which
is “one of the three programs of architectural design developed by the ancient
Greeks” (1: 123). This resembles the idea that Greek monuments were built for
power, prestige and royalty. Each order consists of different details and each
order is used for different types of monuments. In this instance, the Guthrie
Memorial Library is seen using the Corinthian order which is the most elaborate
or fancy of all orders. But it is not just seen with this specific library, in
fact many libraries contain the Corinthian order. This goes to show that the Classical
Greek architecture is indeed ubiquitous.
The
Corinthian order was the closest order chosen for the Guthrie Memorial Library.
One thing that stands out to resemble the Corinthian style is that the library
contains leaves on its capitals. Whereas, the Ionic order has a volutes (a
spiral scroll) on its capitals and an echinus (a rounded mold) and the Doric
order contains an abacus (flat slab on top of the capital) and an echinus. This
goes to show that the “simplest” order is the Doric and the most “fancy” is the
Corinthian. The similarity between all orders is that they all contain a
stylobate, which is a flat base that supports the columns and an entablature
above the columns. Although, on this specific library it only contains a frieze
(decorative band along the top of the wall) and an architrave (a main beam
resting on top of the columns) on its entablature. Whereas, all orders usually
contain an architrave, a frieze and a cornice on its entablature. Another
similarity between the Corinthian order and the library is that the base is
rounded in a simple way. The library also contains a pedimental sculpture which
are figures decorated onto the library as seen in classical Greek temples. Of
course like any building, it must contain a fundamental structure which is the
post and lintel. The post and lintel was originally derived from ancient
Egyptians and also used in ancient Greek architecture. The post and lintel are
two vertical columns with a horizontal member over it. This method is used to
support the weight of any building, such as libraries, houses, banks, etc.
Although the Corinthian order consists of containing flutes and fillets on its
shafts, the Guthrie Memorial library does not seem to be containing any.
Which
could possibly be due to the fact that it was built in 2005, so the
architectures and designers have most likely modernized it. Lastly, it does not
seem to be containing any dentils (small blocks repeated continuously next each
other) as seen on most Corinthian orders. This goes to show that this library
has many designs and has been influenced by many different people but was
originally inspired by the ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks.
I
believe the message the Guthrie Memorial Library is trying to convey is that
anyone can put their trust in the quality of the books, the employees, the
computers, etc. Furthermore, because it is such a huge library, in a way it
conveys that it welcomes anyone from any educational or cultural background and
that they are professional. Which is actually true because the library hosts
many cultural activities and events every once in a while. Big buildings
attract people and the Guthrie Memorial Library succeeded in doing just that.
Over
the years, many architects influenced other architects. For example, ancient
Egyptians practically influenced the whole world with their designs and the way
they built their famous monuments and buildings. With that being said, I
believe two well-known and intellectual architects influenced the design of the
Guthrie Memorial Library and many other buildings. Thomas Jefferson and Andrea
Palladio. For example, the Rotunda at the University of Virginia was designed
by Jefferson but originally inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Except the
Rotunda consists of the Corinthian columns whereas the Pantheon consists of the
Doric columns (2: 191). The Doric order is found on many Greek buildings
because “it was originated on the Greek mainland and is simple and severe” (1:
123). The Rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson to represent the
"authority of nature and power of reason" (Judd). This goes to show
that huge buildings such as the Guthrie Memorial Library are conveying the
message that they are powerful and in control. Due to nature, people tend to
unintentionally follow and listen to people in authority with power and
confidence. The similarity between the library and the Rotunda is the fact that
both buildings are used for educational purposes. The reason why Palladio and
Jefferson have similar designs is because Jefferson’s designs were influenced
by the drawings of Andrea Palladio. One famous building by Andrea Palladio is
Villa Capra “La Rotonda” in Italy. As opposed to the Rotunda by Jefferson, La
Rotonda contains the Ionic order due to its appearance containing volutes and echinus
on its capital. Overall, one can see that the Pantheon in Rome is what
ultimately influenced both architects in their drawings and designs. Again,
this shows that classical Greek architecture inspired every architect from
various time periods.
The
affect the Corinthian order has on my perception of the Guthrie Memorial
Library is respect and power. The Corinthian order is type of order to be found
on victory monuments (1: 123). Big buildings such as the Guthrie Memorial
Library attract people to come to the library often. As young kids, we are
exposed to famous building all around the world by ancient Egyptians, Greeks
and Romans in our history classes. We are taught that these buildings are
powerful and because of that caused many wars between many countries. As we get
older, when we see a huge building such as the Guthrie Memorial Library we
automatically associate it with power and trust.
The
style chosen for the Guthrie Memorial Library enhances the library by giving it
the ability to catch everyone’s attention. If the library would have chosen the
Doric order it would have been plain and simple. But the library chose the most
complex and detailed design for a reason. Simply to attract people. Not only
that, but in a way they modernized the library to fit modern society’s
standards. I believe this style is the most appropriate for this library
because it delivers the message that this library is serious and in order. For
example, if I saw the Guthrie Memorial Library and saw another library across from
it, how would I choose which library to go to? I’d judge it by its design. If I
see that the Guthrie Memorial Library has detailed and complex designs as
opposed to the other library that has no designs whatsoever, I’d automatically
choose the Guthrie Memorial Library. That is how the human brain works
unintentionally, we become attracted to the monuments or buildings that our
brains perceive has “beautiful” or “enormous”. After all, the most thing that
mattered to the ancient Greeks was beauty and they not only expressed beauty
within themselves but within their monuments as well.
Works Cited
Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic
Tradition. 7th ed. 2 Vols. New York: McGraw-Hill,
2015.
Print.
Judd, Timothy. “Thomas Jefferson:
Architect, Musician.” Suzuki Violin Lessons. 19 Aug. 2015. Web. 10 Sept. 2015.
