Miranda Viehman
Professor Bomboy
Humanities 101
25 September 2015
Penn
State Old Main
A
lot of buildings today resemble the architecture created during the Greek
Classical period. The Penn State Old Main building was strongly influenced by
the Greeks. Old Main was
designed to have classrooms,
laboratories, offices, a chapel, and residential space for students. Old main
closely relates to the Corinthian order which was named after the ancient
Greek city Corinth. Old main was inspired by the Greek architecture and it’s
also one of the most well known buildings on campus.
The
Penn State Old main mostly resembles the Corinthian order. The columns are
straight, sleek and slender. Unlike the others the Corinthian orders’ columns are
all one size (Fiero 124), while the other two are slimmer at the top and go out
like a cone shape. This building is one of the most unique landmarks on campus.
The base of the columns has rings like the Ionic order. The capital has flower
petal shaped carvings and is simple and elegant (Fiero 124). This building has
a symmetrical structure, witch have the same number of windows on each side and
also have the same number of columns. When the Greeks designed buildings they
wanted each one to have a purpose. Old Main was designed for classrooms, labs,
offices and residential space for students to live in. This building was built directly in the middle
to show how powerful and important this building was. The building also has a
crossing which has smaller columns that are also detailed and set up just like
the first. This was the old home of the bell that no longer is in the building
but instead the play a recording of the bell every hour. One way the importance
of this building is shown is through the building materials. The building is
entirely made from limestone and was renovated. Today it’s used for
administrative purposes to help students.
When
looking at the building you can tell it’s a powerful building. This building also
shows balance and simplicity. The Greeks always had large doors and entry ways.
The building also had large columns that
are rounded and topped with classical order capitals posts. The carvings in the
columns are balanced and orderly. I think they use really simple designs to
make it more elaborate. During the neoclassical period, they started using the
canon of portion. This building is a great example of the perfect proportions. The
canon of proportions uses mathematical proportions to enhance the image of
building when looking at the structure from the outside. Another way the
importance of Old Main is shown is the large columns with great details on each
column. I think the design of the building is great because every time someone
walks by they realize the building is important without knowing what actually
is going on inside. The people who designed this building wanted it to be a
multi-purpose building. The Classical styles
were the best of the three. During this time everything focused on Clarity,
simplicity, balance and portions.
The Greek architecture started in the west and
really picked up during the renaissance time period. They had some of the better
constructed buildings in the world. A lot of the building that were built
became well known or staples’ of the cities. The Greeks were influenced by the
Roman world which helps build a foundation for the classical period. You will
many buildings to the day still being designed and blue printed like the Greeks
once did. In the past they often used marble and limestone to build these buildings.
Old Main was constructed entirely out of limestone. When architectures use limestone
is makes the buildings look more high-end. A lot of important buildings will
use limestone not only because it looks nice but also because it more durable
and will last longer. Old Main’s overall
design reflected Greek architecture and was built with a stable foundation.
Many
buildings today are strongly influenced by Greek architecture. Penn State Old
Main definitely was influenced by the Greeks. The Corinthian order was chosen to
help harmonize and show how Penn State is powerful. Not only were the Greek
architecture patterns acquired but the canon of the proportions was too. The
canon of proportions helped make the building have a more stable foundation and
make the buildings balance and symmetrical.
Work cited page
JAMES
STEVENS CURL. "Corinthian Order." A Dictionary of Architecture and
Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Sep. 2015 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.
"Explore Capitol Hill." Corinthian Columns. N.p., n.d.
Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
Gloria k. Fiero. “The Human Traditions Volume
1” text 27 Sept. 2015.
Immanuel Gial. "Illustration." N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015. Immanuel
Gial. "Illustration." N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
