1 CHISWICK HOUSE - Neo Classical Architecture

Chiswick House, nestled in London, stands as an architectural marvel of the 18th

century. Designed by Lord Burlington, it is a splendid embodiment of Palladian
architecture, characterized by its meticulous symmetry, classical columns, and its
seamless integration into the surrounding garden landscape. This historical gem not
only represents the enduring influence of classical architectural principles but also
serves as a compelling study for architecture enthusiasts, showcasing the
harmonious relationship between man-made structures and the natural
environment.

Neo-Classical Architecture: Characteristics:

Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style that
emerged in the mid-18th century as a revival of the
principles and forms of classical architecture from
ancient Greece and Rome. This architectural movement
sought to recapture the grandeur, simplicity, and order
of classical antiquity while adapting it to the tastes and
needs of the Enlightenment era.
Neoclassicism is characterized by clarity of
form, sober colors, shallow space, strong
horizontal and verticals that render that
subject matter timeless (instead of
temporal as in the dynamic Baroque Chiswick House on London Map
works), and classical subject matter (or
classicizing contemporary subject matter).

WHY ?
Neoclassical buildings were created in
reaction to the excessive ornamentation of
the Rococo and Late Baroque styles, and
Neoclassical architecture characteristics
were greatly defined by the social
demands of the public rather than the Some
need for aesthetic ornamentation. Example of
Charateristic
4 top 5 Architectural styles used in london
Tudor Georgian Victorian Art Deco Colonial
Tudor architecture is Georgian houses are The Art Deco style, popular
This era marked a in the 1920s and 1930s, is Colonial architecture
characterized by another one of the most
significant period of characterized by geometric is none other than
timber framing, common staples of
architectural shapes, sleek lines, and
steeply pitched roofs, Virginian architecture. decorative elements.
Neo-Classical which
innovation and
and ornate half- Georgian homes also focus London has several Art Deco includes Chiswick
diversity, with a wide
timbered facades. on symmetry, however, landmarks, including the
House as one of its
Tudor-style buildings they find themselves more range of styles and Daily Express Building in
can be found in embellished. influences. Manchester Square and the examples.
various parts of Hoover Building in Perivale.
London, including
areas like Hampstead Mid-18th Century (1758): 20th Century (1929):
19th Century (1813-1892): The
and Chelsea. The house passed to Chiswick House and its
house changed ownership
William Cavendish, the gardens were purchased
several times during this
4th Duke of Devonshire, by the Middlesex County
century.Various alterations
through marriage. He Council. The villa was
Early 18th Century (1726- and renovations were made
made some alterations to opened to the public, and
1729): Chiswick House was to the villa and its gardens
the property, including restoration work began.
built during this period for during this period.
the 3rd Earl of Burlington, the addition of a semi-
Richard Boyle, by the circular colonnade known
architect Colen Campbell. as the "Domed Arch."

21st Century (2005): Chiswick House underwent a major

Neoclassicism was born in Rome largely thanks to the writings of restoration project, which was completed in 2005. The
Johann Joachim Winckelmann, at the time of the rediscovery of Pompeii project aimed to restore the villa and its gardens to their
and Herculaneum,but its popularity spread across Europe as 18th-century appearance.
a generation of European art students finished their Grand Tour and
returned from Italy to their home countries with newly rediscovered
Greco-Roman ideals.
1 CHISWICK HOUSE - Neo Classical Architecture
Location - London
Timeperiod - 18th Century
Designer - Lord Burlington
Style - Palladian Architecture
Characteristics - Meticulous Symmetry, Classical Columns,
Seamless integration into the garden landscape.
Showcases the harmonious relationship between man-
Chiswick House on London Map
made structures and nature.

Neo-Classical Architecture: WHY ? Characteristics:

Clarity of form
Emerged mid-18th Century Neoclassical buildings were created in Sober colours
Principles and forms of classical reaction to the excessive Shallow space
ancient Greece and Rome ornamentation of Strong horizontal and vertical
architecture. the Rococo and Late Baroque styles, rendering of subject matter
Recaptures grandeur, simplicity, timeless
and Neoclassical architecture
classical antiquity Contrary to temporal as in
characteristics were greatly defined by the
Adapts taste and needs of dynamic baroque works
social demands of the public rather than
enlightenment era. Classical subject matter
the need for aesthetic ornamentation.

Some Example
of
Charateristics
2 CHISWICK HOUSE - Neo Classical Architecture
Began in Mid 18th Century
WHEN Reaction against Baroque and Rococo Styles
Gained Prominence During late 18th and early 19th Century
Influenced architecture in Europe & US
E.g - Pantheon,Paris / Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Began to Root in Europe

WHEre Origins in France & England
Later influence in the US
Jacques-Germain Soufflot's design of the Church of Sainte-Geneviève (Panthéon) in Paris, completed
in 1790, helped establish Neoclassical architecture.

how Desired Simplistic Approach & Pared Down way

Architects like Robert Adam and John Soane helped it spread throughout the world.
What does it Signify?

Modelled after Classical

Greek and Roman Temples
Symbolize principles of
John Soane Robert Adams Justice & Democracy
Motifs - Organic Imagery,
Ornamentation used
use of Proportion
in Neo-Classical Symmetry heightened by
Architectire superimposed lines
3 Key features of neoclassical architecture

Symmetry: Neoclassical buildings often exhibit a

strong sense of symmetry, with balanced facades and
evenly spaced elements.
Columns: Classical orders of columns, such as Doric,
Ionic, and Corinthian, are frequently used to support
the entablature (the horizontal structure above the
Porticos
columns) and create a sense of classical elegance.
Pediments: Triangular pediments, often adorned with Symmetry in Chiswick House
sculptural elements or decorative motifs, are common
above entrances and windows.
Simple and Clean Lines: Neoclassical buildings favour
clean and uncluttered lines, emphasizing a sense of Pediments
order and proportion.
Columns
Porticos: Many neoclassical structures feature grand
porticos or colonnades, providing a dramatic entrance
and shelter from the elements.
Use of Classical Motifs: Decorative elements like
friezes, metopes, and cornices, inspired by classical
design, are incorporated into the architecture.
Symmetrical Layouts: The overall layout of
neoclassical buildings tends to be symmetrical, with
rooms and spaces organized in a balanced and
rational manner.

Symmetrical layout
4 top 5 Architectural styles used in london
Timber Framing
Tudor Steeply pitched roofs Georgian
Ornate half timbered facades
Found in Hampstead & Chelsea
Significant period of
Victorian architectural innovation & Art Deco
diversity with a wide range of
styles and influences.
Colonial architecture is none other than
Colonial Neo-Classical which includes Chiswick
House as one of its examples.
Diversity
in
London
Most Common staples of
Virginian architecture.
Focus on Symmetry
More Embellished
Popular in 1920s and 1930s
Geometrical Shapes
Sleek Lines
Decorative Elements
Daily Express Building, Manchester
Square
Hoover Building, Perivale
Neoclassicism was born in Rome
largely thanks to the writings of Johann
Joachim Winckelmann, at the time of
the rediscovery of Pompeii and
Herculaneum,but its popularity
spread across Europe as
a generation of European art students
finished their Grand Tour and returned
from Italy to their home countries with
newly rediscovered Greco-Roman
ideals.
5 Timelines
Early 18th Century (1726-
1729): Chiswick House was
built during this period for
the 3rd Earl of Burlington,
Richard Boyle, by the
architect Colen Campbell.
Mid-18th Century (1758):
The house passed to
William Cavendish, the
19th Century (1813-1892): The house changed
4th Duke of Devonshire,
ownership several times during this
through marriage. He
century.Various alterations and renovations
made some alterations to
were made to the villa and its gardens during
the property, including
this period.
the addition of a semi-
circular colonnade known
as the "Domed Arch."

20th Century (1929): Chiswick House and its

21st Century (2005): Chiswick House underwent a major gardens were purchased by the Middlesex
restoration project, which was completed in 2005. The County Council. The villa was opened to the
project aimed to restore the villa and its gardens to their public, and restoration work began.
18th-century appearance.

Timeline of Neo-Classical

-Evolution of Neo-Classical Style of Architecture:

-Mid-18th Century (1750s-1770s) - Late Baroque and Rococo Transition
-Late 18th Century (1770s-1790s) - Louis XVI Style & Adam Style
-Late 18th Century to Early 19th Century (1780s-1820s) - Federal Style (United States)
-Late 18th Century to Early 19th Century (1780s-1830s) - Greek Revival
-Early 19th Century (1800s-1830s) - Regency Style (United Kingdom)
-19th Century (1830s-1900s) - Beaux-Arts Architecture
-Late 19th Century (Late 1800s-1900s) - Neoclassicism in Public Buildings
6 CHISWICK HOUSE - Neo Classical Architecture
the Chiswick house represents neoclassical architecture at its best and has all the characteristics such as Symmetry, Ordered
Columns, Pediments, and use of classical motifs such as friezes incorporating a symmetrical layout.

Columns

TOP View PLAN

ELEvation SECTION
DOME
35 Feet Dome Construction

Forecoming TOwers

Pediments

Porticos
Palladian Window

Stairs