Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s most famous and influential work is the literal monument to our democracy. Although the United States Capitol was designed by a multitude of architects in stages. Latrobe had a major influence in designing the Capitol’s south wing which now houses Congress, and renovating the north with where the Senate is housed.

Latrobe was hired by President Jefferson in 1803 to fill the position of “Surveyor of Public Buildings,” with the principal responsibility of constructing the Capitol’s south wing. When examining the south wing in the above picture one can see the essence of Greek Revival architecture that is a fundamental characteristic of Latrobe. This style is a symbol of American Democracy. The Doric pillars along with a facade create an image of a Greek Temple. This temple of Democracy houses our greatest treasure and freedoms.

The Greatest works of Latrobe are housed in the interior of the building. Inside one can see his image of neoclassicism in America. This includes the Hall of the House, the Old Senate Chamber, and the Old Supreme Court Chamber. Each of these designs show the unique touch of Greek Revival envisioned by Latrobe. When walking through the Statue Hall one is amazed by the dome, and the gravity of the marble pillars. You feel as though you are in a temple, and a monument to democracy. The Old Senate Chamber reflects the need for discussion, and the Old Supreme Court conveys the need for thought and reflection.

The Architecture of Latrobe perfectly embodies the ideals of Democracy. One must appreciate the early work of this architect to fully appreciate the buildings where our government is run.

The third work by Benjamin Henry Latrobe we will explore is the Main Gate of the Washington Navy Yard. This is also called the Latrobe Gate. It is believed to be the oldest extant example of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. Greek Revival Architecture was a mainstay of designs by Latrobe.

The Washington Navy Yard was established by Congress on July 23, 1799. Three years later, then President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Latrobe to design a dry dock repair facility for the US naval yard. Latrobe was designated Engineer of the Navy Department in 1804, and subsequently constructed the Main Gate in 1806. The Greek Revival design was revolutionary for the time, and criticized by many of Latrobe’s piers. The style ultimately became a symbol of the young nation’s democracy. In the war of 1812 the Navy Yard was a main target by British forces, and was subsequently burned. The Latrobe Gate was one of three structures not destroyed by fires. The main gate was added to in 1881. A marine barracks was constructed around the Main Gate. This added a brick Italian structure to the surrounding gate.

Although the Latrobe Gate is a relatively small structure it stands as a monument to the newborn American Democracy. The Latrobe Gate and Greek Revival design was the inspiration for hundreds of buildings across the United States, and became a quintessentially American characteristic of architecture.

The second project which we will explore by Benjamin Henry Latrobe is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Baltimore Basilica. The Basilica was constructed between 1806 and 1863. This was the first Roman Catholic Cathedral constructed in the United States. It was also monumental as an example of expressing religions freedom after the ratification of the United States Constitution.

When exploring the design of the cathedral we can see the neoclassical influence across the Latin cross plan. The plan united longitudinal axis with a domed space. This is a major departure from previous American church designs, but honors traditional European cathedral design.  

When examining the exterior one can see on the main facade classical greek porticos with ionic columns in a double hexastyle pattern. The onion shaped domes atop the two towers were entirely a new design by Latrobe. The outside dome was constructed of stone from a nearby town. Thomas Jefferson suggested a wooden double-shell dome. Latrobe created a hybrid with the inner dome created out of a classically detailed masonry hemisphere.

The interior is occupied by a massive dome of the Latin cross plan. This creates a centralized effect. Latrobe created a much more light filled interior by adding a sophisticated system of barrel vaults and shallow saucer domes. This strikingly contrasted previous Gothic designs.

The Basilica has stood the test of time for over 200 years, and will continue to see millions more visitors. Its was designed to last a thousand years like the European Cathedrals it was modeled after. One must appreciate the history and firsts created from this work.

For this series of Blog Posts we will explore the design and function of the works of Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The first project we will explore is the Bank of Pennsylvania otherwise known as the Second Bank of the United States. This was the first introduction of Greek revival in the United States. This highlights the forward thinking and reasoning behind Latrobe’s designation as the Father of American Architecture. Looking at the bank one can see the quintessential design associated with financial institutions across the United States. When a person thinks of a bank, they most likely imagine a building that resembles the Second Bank of the United States.

The bank was originally created as a private corporation with public duties in 1816. It handled all transactions of the United States Government, and was supervised by Congress and the Treasury. The federal government owned 20% of its capital, and 80% was owned by four thousand private investors. Most stocks of the institution were owned by a few hundred wealthy Americans. I find this similar to our current status of wealth where a few hundred individuals own 80% of the nation’s wealth. In its time, the Second Bank of the United States was the largest monied corporation in the world. The bank was created to stabilize small banks which provided credit on easy terms to speculators.

Congress finally passed a law chartering the Second Bank of the United States, which was created to help the national treasury out of its uncomfortable financial situation and to regulate the currency. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Second Bank started out with $35 million in capital, a fifth of which was provided by the federal government. The Bank served as a place in which the government could deposit federal funds, including tax revenues.

This was designed with Strickland as the essence of the Parthenon in Athens. The quintessential greek revival style is seen in the north and south facades. One can see the main level platform called the stylobate. There are also eight Doric columns. This makes the building appear like a Greek temple, and give it its name. Construction lasted from 1819-1824. The Greek Revival style directly contrasts the Federal style of the First Bank of the United States. The federal style has Roman-influenced Corinthian columns and a roofline topped with a balustrade making it appear more like a roman villa. Looking at this project one can appreciate the detail of both, and look forward to the innovation produced by Latrobe.

On my first day in England I met one of my coworkers at the airport. It was early in the morning, and I couldn’t sleep the entire plane ride. We drove from Heathrow airport to our office in the center of London. On the car ride he invited me to attend church. I had no idea we would be attending Westminster Abbey to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury deliver the sermon.

The church was one of most awe inspiring designs I have ever seen. This is the cemetery for hundreds of Britain’s most influential people. This is the cite of royal weddings, and every Royal coronation since that of William the Conqueror in 1066. The gothic revival architecture is breath taking both inside and out. One can see these spires that reach towards the heavens. The ornate glass is priceless, and the spires of gold inside the theatre reflect the magnitude of the building.

As we came into join the service it was remarkably empty. For an occasion such as this I was surprised. The service began with the choir of Canterbury singing (something that was on the bucket-list of my entire family). I had no idea who they were at the time, nor did I truly understand the importance of who was speaking. I felt engulfed by the warmth of the sound and light that tenderly reflected around the architecture. I was so taken aback. I can’t remember if it was the singing, or the fact that I was so jet-lagged, but I promptly fell asleep. I always find this story so funny because of the reaction my brother had when he heard it. He would have killed to sit there and listen, and I could’t stay awake.

After the service ended we continued our walk down the grand hallway. I loved the silence only interrupted by the steps of our hard souls on the marble. As we walked out I saw the resting place of some of the greatest minds of history. These include Newton, Darwin, and most recently Steven Hawking I will never forget the spires that reached towards the heavens, and the crypts in the ground that housed our history.

The town of Bath got its name from the structure you see above. These are Roman baths originally constructed in 60 AD. The Romans believed in the healing properties of the waters and used them for luxurious heated and chilled spas. As you walk through the structure you notice a hodgepodge of architecture. The overwhelming theme is classically roman. There are Columns, bocks, marble, and symmetry. However, the baths have been modified several times. In the 12th century a bath was added in the King’s Spring reservoir. In the 16th century the Queen’s Bath was added to the south of the spring. Ultimately, the Bath is now housed in an 18th century building made by John Wood. The structure surrounding the building is quintessentially Georgian.

While I was disappointed I could not swim in the murky green waters I was astonished by the structure. It was excavated in the 18th century to reveal the true expanse of the Bath houses. today we can walk right along and up to the same pools Roman’s did over 2,000 years ago. I was amazed by how similar and clean the entire system was to our modern world. I found it interesting that they used lead pipes to channel warm water into the bath.

As I finished my stroll along the baths I noticed a large line accumulating to “take the waters” from the natural spring which the romans used for centuries. I was so excited to try this mythical water of Bath. After 5 minutes of waiting I took a cup, and I could not have been more disappointed. I drank a warm sulfur smelling liquid, and immediately regretted it. At that moment I decided it was for the best I didn’t swim in that water.

As I toured the museum and the ruins of the Bath house I was truly amazed by the elegance of such an ancient structure. You could still see tools, and detailing of all the architecture. My conclusion was this. No matter how far we travel in history we are still connected in our humanity. The romans just like us today enjoyed rest and relaxation.

When I was working in England I bought a season pass to take the underground. Included in that pass was a round trip to anywhere in the UK I would want to go…by train. I flipped through the options, and I thought about Wales. It looked boring. I thought about Scotland, and realized very quickly I would’t be able to understand anyone. Then I happened on this old tourist town by the name of Bath. It is named so because of the Roman-baths that still exist there to this day. In the Georgian and Victorian era of England this was the premiere place to visit for any person of status to rest and relax.

After 4 hours of trodding along the British country side we finally reached our destination. The area was green, but rather unremarkable. I never bother with guided tours, and therefore I decided to go for a walk, and get lost for a moment. What no one told me was how many hills were in this town. I walked through a park, and up many hills until I reached what appears to be the center of this beautiful place.

The Royal Crescent stands as the epitome of Georgian Architecture. This is a row of 30 townhouses connected in the center of bath that overlook one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen. It’s design reflects the classical Greek and Roman concepts of symmetry with elegant ornamentation of its time. Although it was finished in1774 it is still in use to this day. House 1 has been turned into a museum, however many of them are still residential homes. What I could not believe was the price each one fetched. The most recent sale was for 6.5 million pounds (around 8 millions USD). The sheer amount of stone involved in making this monument was jaw dropping. I loved so many aspects about it. The timeless design created homes I would want to live in. I loved the live-able aspect of a community park literally off your front doorstep. The green and lighting made for a home and connected feeling. I decided to have a lunch that day sitting in this park. As I laid against one of the few trees I saw couples talking, children at play, and everyone in between enjoying their day. People had done that in this place since before we were a country, and hopefully will continue living there long after. For anyone wanting to visit England I highly recommend Bath.

June 23, 2016

Through the marred plexiglass window I watched the fervent debates that would decide the fate of my country. The House of Commons was practically empty except for the few up and coming PMs who wanted to make a name for their oratory prowess. Ornate wood paneling surrounds the room, and is diminished by the green leather chairs of this room. By the time this time the word fascist was being thrown around as though it was going out of style. My vote had already been cast, and my mind had been made. I decided to retire into the halls and go for a walk before I made my way back to the House of Lords.

For a thousand years these halls have held some of the greatest orators the world will ever know. An empire was forged and slowly dismantled from within these spires of stone and glass. The Palace of Westminster is one of the most awe inspiring buildings I have ever encountered. Its design and architecture dignifies the respect the history its halls hold. I was working that summer for the Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne in the House of Lords. The building was nothing short of stunning. As I left the House of Commons the spires reached toward the heavens. I walked into the great hall and I felt as though I was teleported back to the middle ages. The wood arches were made of entire trees each. The stone was cold and stark. At the end of the hall a giant window brought light into the entire room. Walking through the halls there is a timeless classical feel to the entire building. One can’t but an exact date to the architecture but it bleeds England. There are warm notes of wood, carpets, marble, and paintings that erupt every era of British greatness.

That day I took a longer stroll than I normally wood. I knew the significance of this vote. Brexit would decide the fate of the UK for generations to come. When I reached the house of Lords I was greeted by a seemingly more elegant wood, and a delicate ornamentation of gold around the room. The room was take by the golden throne representing the monarchy. Debates here were more cordial, elegant, and above all civil.

I left that evening out a back door of Westminster. I was so worried for weeks after lobbying to remain that England would crumble before my eyes. After walking through that building I understood. We have been here for a thousand years. This house of parliament has been burned down to the ground, bombed out, and attacked. Every time it has been rebuilt. It along with England would withstand the test of time.