Chapter 6 The Evolution of Exteriors
177
mates were architects, interior design-
ers, and furniture designers. Their work
was based on plans for Italian houses
and palaces. The Adam style continued
the symmetry of the Georgian style.
The types of graceful details that were
added to the Georgian style architec-
ture included swags, garland, urns, and
other refined motifs. The main iden-
tifying feature of the Adam style is a
fanlight over the front entrance, 6-12.
Other characteristics include Palladian
windows (windows with a large center
section and two side sections, usually
arched), circular or elliptical windows,
recessed arches, and oval-shaped rooms.
The most famous oval-shaped room
in this style is the Oval Office of the
President of the United States in
Washington, D.C.
Early Classical Revival.
During the
Federal period, architecture evolved
using the classical details of Greek and
Italian design, which became known as
Early Classical
Revival. One of the best
examples of this architectural style is
Monticello (meaning “little mountain”
in Italian), the home Thomas Jefferson
designed and built for himself, 6-13. He
began construction in 1769. Because of
the influence of Roman architecture, the
architectural style of his home is classi-
fi ed as fi Roman Neoclassicism. (Neoclassi-
cism refers to an adaptation or revival of
classical details.) Monticello has a large
portico on its west front with columns
and a triangular pediment gable. Jeffer-
son added the dome in 1800 after being
infl by the French architecture fluenced
he saw while traveling in France. Jefferson
was the founder of the University of
Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia and
designed the original campus.
In addition to these major contribu-
tions, Jefferson was the principal author
of the Declaration of Independence and
third President of the United States.
He was also an inventor and renowned
political leader.
Greek Revival
Greek Revival
(1825 to 1860) is another
style of classic traditional design. It
developed during a period that embraced,
and carefully duplicated, the formal
Segmental Triangular
6-11
Pediments are used over doors and
windows to add interest to a design.
6-12
The gabled
pediment over
the door is an
example of the
Federal infl uence.
6-13
Monticello—the
home built
by Thomas
Jefferson—is
found in
Charlottesville,
Virginia. It is an
example of Early
Classic Revival
architecture.
Photography by the
Thomas Jefferson
Foundation/Monticello