Classical Architecture

by Robert Adam

Classical architecture has its origins in simple houses and plain little temples built by the early peoples of the Mediterranean region. From these unselfconscious beginnings, classical style found perfect expression in the Doric and Ionic temples of the Greek city-states. The excellence of classical design is such that it has endured for more than two thousand years as the ideal of Western architecture. Moreover, the vocabulary of classical architecture-from acanthus to zoophorus-is not only alive but is enjoying yet another renaissance today. In Classical Architecture Robert Adam traces the history of classical design to the present day and provides examples of virtually everyone of its applications. He shows how the style of classical architecture has been echoed, adapted, and refined in subsequent school, including those as diverse as Hellenistic, Romanesque, and Baroque. Adam draws on an enormous range of source material to illustrate different types of classical buildings, the evolution of its orders, and its theories of proportion, He demonstrates for the first time the extent to which the language of architecture pervades our own culture, and he also lays down essential guidelines for the correct application of its principles. A special feature of this unique handbook is the presentation of illustrative material alongside the discussion of each subject. This juxtaposition of text and drawings shows at a glance the ways in which different features of classicism have been interpreted, and examples include buildings and architectural details in North America and Europe. Each illustration has been painstakingly researched, carefully drawn, and presented with scale. Every element of classical design is here, including entire sections devote to brackets, mouldings, and decorative details, as well as to domes, arches, pediments, doors, porches, windows, and even fireplace surrounds.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Reference

319 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 1990

About the author

Robert Adam is an architect and author, a major figure in traditional and classical architecture.

Not to be confused with the earlier Robert Adam, a British neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer of the 1700s.

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There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Reviews

[Luke NR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic overview of classical architecture. Each essay, coupled with its accompanying illustrations, provided detailed information, but not at the expense of being too difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the history and terminology. Yes, it is only an introduction to classical architecture, but it is a very comprehensive introduction at that.

[Sula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a really good overview of classical architecture, and is presented in a way that makes it approachable even if you are not a student or an architect yourself. Each double page spread covers a subsection: one a page of text, the other with drawings and diagrams relating to the text.

[Elham · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a general review on classicism. each page has a discrete subject with picture. but its not very rich in theories.