All About Neoclassical Style Homes
Inspired by the art and culture of Ancient Greece and Rome, the Neoclassical style emerged in the mid-18th century as a reaction to the flamboyance and decorative frivolity of the Baroque and Rococo styles. Neoclassical architecture, in its purest form, draws from classical Greek and Roman architecture, as well as the principles of French architect Claude Perrault and Italian architect Andrea Palladio.
Let's explore the Neoclassical style and its influence on the design of public buildings, modern residences, and even America's Founding Fathers.
What is Neoclassical Style Architecture?
Designed with perfectly proportioned buildings in mind, Neoclassical architecture embraces simple geometric forms, symmetry, and balance. This contrasts with the elaborate ornamentation, asymmetry, curves, moldings, and serpentine lines of the Baroque and Rococo styles.
Neoclassical architecture features distinct elements:
- Symmetrical purity and balance, emphasizing simplicity and order.
- An even number of tall classical columns supporting a full-height front porch. The columns are typically Doric in style, although Ionic and Corinthian styles can also be used.
- Elaborate doorways with triangular pediments as decorative touches.
- Evenly spaced windows across the front facade, often flanked by shutters.
- Flat roofs with a center dome.
This architectural style was eagerly adopted by municipal building architects, the wealthy in their mansions and plantations, and many presidents over the years.
Influences Today
Neoclassical homes are not exclusive to U.S. presidents, plantation owners, or the wealthy. The fascination with symmetrical shapes, huge columns, elaborate doorways, triangular pediments, and full-height porches continues into the 21st century. While not every element may be present in a residence, there's often enough to give it character and curb appeal.
Though neoclassicism is commonly associated with grand public buildings, it has also shaped the way we build private homes. Let's take a look at several house styles that have incorporated these features in their designs.
Two-Story Colonial
Symmetry and balance are showcased in this stunning two-story, five-bedroom Colonial style home. A pediment sits atop the full-height double portico, supported by tall columns. The evenly spaced windows across the front facade complete the Neoclassical accents, giving the house a historic charm.
One-Story Colonial
You don't have to go all formal to achieve the effect of the Neoclassical style. This one-story, three-bedroom Colonial home demonstrates that. With a covered front porch and a matching number of columns framing the wood and glass door, it embodies symmetry. Even the windows with decorative shutters and the arrangement of rockers and planters on the porch are carefully balanced.
1.5-Story French Country Plan
This 1.5-story, three-bedroom, two-bath French Country home is a sight to behold. With its clean lines, soft exterior paint tones, and attractive details like dormers and a covered front porch with tall columns, it exudes Neoclassical elegance. The windows with shutters, along with the planters and sconces framing the wood and glass-paned door, add to its charm.
One-Story Craftsman
Combining classical details like columns on stone pedestals and windows flanking the front door with relaxed country accents, this one-story, three-bedroom Craftsman home achieves a comfortable, homey feel.
Southern Plantation / Colonial
Take a look at the grand covered front porch of this Southern Colonial home. The two-story columns and the pediment up top are classic Neoclassical elements often found in large Southern homes. Yet, the house maintains a comfortable, welcoming vibe. The main floor features a study, dining room, living room, and master bedroom, while the second floor offers a fun game room, TV area, and a Juliet balcony.
History of Neoclassical Architecture around the World
The Neoclassical style, encompassing Roman and Greek revivals, expressed a return to order and rationality. As it thrived throughout Europe, nearly every important city featured remarkable examples of Neoclassical architecture. From Rome to London, Paris, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, major architects designed historic landmarks, lavish mansions, and estates in this style.
England
Early neoclassical architecture in England (1640-1750) includes St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Observatory, and the Royal Chelsea Hospital, all designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Other notable architects of the period were William Kent (Charing Cross) and Robert Adam (Theatre Royal London).
England, which did not lean towards the Baroque style, incorporated Neoclassical elements into its public buildings, museums, theaters, hotels, banks, and post offices. However, the British Royalty had different plans and commissioned renowned architects like John Nash, Sir John Sloane, and Sir Robert Smirke to redesign important areas of London and create iconic structures like Buckingham Palace and the British Museum.
Neoclassicism in France
With a number of French architects trained at the French Academy in Rome, France became another hub for Neoclassical architecture. The style became prevalent during the time of Louis XVI and the Napoleonic Empire. Experimental architects incorporated Neoclassical elements in civic buildings, while aristocrats added them to their mansions, often accompanied by grottos, lush gardens, fountains, and landscaped courtyards.
Among the most renowned French architects of the period were Jacques Germain Soufflot and Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Soufflot's Parisian Pantheon, with its massive facade supported by tall Corinthian columns, triangular pediment, and high dome, stands as a testament to the Neoclassical style.
Other notable French architects like Jean Chalgrin contributed to iconic structures such as Paris's Arc de Triomphe.
United States
While Neoclassical architecture was popular throughout France, it flourished and took deeper roots in the young American republic, playing a major role in its history. Impressive examples of this architectural style can be found across the United States, particularly in the Northeast and the South, ranging from civic buildings and courthouses to churches, schools, and mansions.
Founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson saw Neoclassical style as a link between the new republic's ideas of government and the democratic ideals of ancient Greece and Rome. Jefferson's Monticello, Virginia State Capitol building, Poplar Forest, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville are notable examples of his architectural prowess.
Other post-American Revolution architects like William Thornton, Benjamin Latrobe, and Charles Bulfinch designed the U.S. Capitol Building, an iconic symbol of American democracy.
Neoclassical architecture continued to influence the homes of U.S. Presidents throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, with examples found in the ancestral homes of Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, John Polk, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy.
Embracing the Timelessness of Neoclassical Architecture
Neoclassical architecture remains as relevant and captivating today as it was in the 18th century. Its timeless beauty and charm, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman models, continue to capture the imagination. If you're in the market for a new home with elements of Neoclassical architecture, explore our home plans and use the filters to find exactly what you're looking for.
Footnote: The top left photo in the lead image of this article showcases a magnificent 2-story Historic-style home with Neoclassical characteristics. For more details on this 4-bedroom, 4-bath residence with all its spectacular amenities, visit: [Plan #106-1155](Plan URL)
Additional Source: HGTV